Confidentiality and Ethics

The Journal of Pulmonology and Respiratory Research (JPRR) requires editors to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and ethical conduct. Editors are entrusted with sensitive academic content and must ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability throughout the editorial process.

Confidentiality of Manuscripts

  • Manuscripts under review must be treated as strictly confidential documents.
  • Details should not be shared with anyone outside the editorial team and assigned reviewers.
  • Editors must not use unpublished material for personal research or professional gain.
  • Reviewer identities must remain protected unless journal policy allows disclosure with consent.

Ethical Handling of Information

Editors are responsible for safeguarding intellectual property and sensitive data:

  • Information in rejected manuscripts must not be exploited or disclosed.
  • Editors must respect data protection laws, including GDPR compliance, in handling author and reviewer information.
  • Personal information provided by authors must only be used for legitimate editorial purposes.

Managing Conflicts of Interest

Editors must:

  • Declare any conflicts of interest before handling a manuscript.
  • Recuse themselves from editorial decisions if impartiality is compromised.
  • Ensure reviewers and authors disclose relevant conflicts.

Editorial Decision Ethics

  • Decisions must be based solely on academic merit, originality, and relevance.
  • Authors must be treated with fairness and respect, regardless of background or institutional affiliation.
  • Editors must avoid coercive citation practices or misuse of editorial authority.

Handling Misconduct

Editors must follow COPE guidelines in cases of:

  • Plagiarism, duplicate publication, or redundant submissions.
  • Data fabrication, falsification, or ethical breaches in human/animal research.
  • Reviewer or editorial manipulation.
COPE’s flowcharts provide step-by-step guidance for addressing misconduct responsibly.

Respecting Author and Reviewer Rights

Editors must:

  • Provide timely updates to authors regarding the review and decision process.
  • Ensure reviewers’ contributions are respected and acknowledged.
  • Prevent undue delays that may hinder academic dissemination.

Confidentiality in Post-Publication Processes

Even after publication, editors must:

  • Respect confidentiality in handling corrections, retractions, or appeals.
  • Maintain discretion during investigations of alleged misconduct.

FAQs

Can editors discuss manuscripts with colleagues outside the review process?

No. Discussions are restricted to assigned reviewers and editorial staff, ensuring confidentiality.

What if an editor suspects ethical violations?

Editors must follow COPE protocols, consult with the editorial board, and act transparently.

How is author data protected?

Author data is processed under strict privacy policies aligned with GDPR and other global data protection laws.

Conclusion

By maintaining strict confidentiality and adhering to ethical principles, editors of JPRR protect the trust of authors, reviewers, and readers. This commitment ensures the continued credibility and integrity of the journal.