Ethical Guidelines for Editors
The AJMBR is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in all aspects of its editorial process. These Ethical Guidelines are designed to provide clear and comprehensive guidance to Editorial Board Members, ensuring that they uphold the principles of ethical publishing and contribute to the credibility and integrity of AJMBR.
Scope of Application
These guidelines apply to all members of the Editorial Board, including the Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members. Adherence to these ethical standards is essential to fostering a trustworthy and reputable scholarly publishing environment.
General Ethical Principles
Integrity and Objectivity
Impartiality: Editorial Board Members must maintain impartiality and objectivity in their editorial decisions, free from personal, financial, or any other conflicts of interest that may compromise their judgment.
Confidentiality: Editorial Board Members should treat all submitted manuscripts and editorial discussions as confidential. They must not disclose information about manuscripts under consideration to anyone other than those involved in the editorial process.
Professional Conduct
Professionalism: Editorial Board Members are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism. This includes treating authors, reviewers, and colleagues with respect and avoiding any form of harassment, discrimination, or unprofessional behavior.
Disclosure of Conflicts: Members of the Editorial Board must promptly disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their judgment or create bias. Full disclosure ensures transparency in the editorial process.
Manuscript Handling
Peer Review
Fair and Constructive Review: Editorial Board Members should conduct fair, unbiased, and constructive peer reviews. Reviews should be focused on the quality and validity of the research, providing authors with guidance to improve their work.
Timeliness: Editorial Board Members are expected to complete the peer review process in a timely manner. Prompt reviews contribute to the efficiency of the editorial process and authors’ timely receipt of feedback.
Authorship and Contributorship
Authorship Criteria: Editorial Board Members should adhere to recognized authorship criteria, ensuring that individuals who have made significant contributions to the research are listed as authors.
Conflict Resolution: In cases of authorship disputes or conflicts, Editorial Board Members should actively work towards fair and amicable resolutions, involving relevant parties and seeking guidance from the Editor-in-Chief when necessary.
Ethical Oversight
Research Ethics
Human and Animal Subjects: Editorial Board Members must ensure that research involving human or animal subjects complies with ethical standards. Authors should provide evidence of ethical approval for such research.
Plagiarism and Misconduct: Editorial Board Members should be vigilant in identifying and addressing plagiarism, data fabrication, and other forms of research misconduct. Allegations of misconduct should be reported to the Editor-in-Chief for thorough investigation.
Conflicts of Interest
Disclosure and Management: Editorial Board Members should disclose any conflicts of interest related to submitted manuscripts and recuse themselves from the editorial process when necessary. The Editor-in-Chief should be informed, and alternative reviewers appointed.
Reviewer-Editorial Board Member Conflicts: In cases where an Editorial Board Member is assigned as a reviewer for a manuscript, they should inform the Editor-in-Chief if a conflict of interest exists. The Editor-in-Chief will then assign an alternative reviewer.
Editorial Decision-Making
Fairness and Transparency
Consistency: Editorial decisions should be consistent, fair, and based on the merit of the research. Manuscripts should be evaluated solely on their scientific and ethical value.
Communication: Editorial Board Members should communicate editorial decisions clearly and provide authors with constructive feedback. Any significant concerns or recommended revisions should be clearly outlined.
Appeals and Complaints
Grievance Handling: Editorial Board Members should assist in the fair and impartial resolution of author or reviewer grievances. Any appeals or complaints should be brought to the attention of the Editor-in-Chief.
Confidentiality: All information related to appeals or complaints should be treated confidentially to protect the privacy and integrity of the parties involved.
Continuous Professional Development
Stay Informed
Emerging Standards: Editorial Board Members are encouraged to stay informed about emerging ethical standards, guidelines, and best practices in scholarly publishing. Continuous professional development ensures that members remain effective and informed contributors.
Training Opportunities: AJMBR may provide training opportunities or resources to support Editorial Board Members in staying abreast of evolving ethical standards. Participation in such training is encouraged for ongoing professional development.
Continuous Improvement
Recognizing the dynamic nature of scholarly publishing, AJMBR is committed to regularly reviewing and updating these Ethical Guidelines to align with evolving standards and best practices. The commitment to continuous improvement underscores AJMBR’s dedication to maintaining its position as a reputable and ethical journal.
Commitment to Ethical Excellence
Adherence to these Ethical Guidelines is paramount for maintaining the reputation, credibility, and ethical standing of the Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. Editorial Board Members play a crucial role in upholding these principles, contributing to the integrity of the scholarly publishing process and fostering a culture of ethical excellence.
