Ethics for Editors

Editors of the Journal of Pulmonology and Respiratory Research (JPRR) have a fundamental duty to uphold ethical standards in scholarly publishing. These principles ensure integrity, fairness, and transparency in the editorial process and protect the credibility of the journal.

Impartiality and Objectivity

  • Editorial decisions must be based solely on scholarly merit, research quality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • Editors must avoid bias based on nationality, gender, ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs of authors.
  • Commercial influence, institutional affiliations, or personal relationships must not affect decisions.

Confidentiality

Editors must ensure that:

  • Manuscript content is kept confidential and shared only with relevant reviewers or editorial staff.
  • Reviewers’ identities remain protected in double-blind review processes.
  • Unpublished material is not used for personal advantage or research purposes.

Conflict of Interest

Editors must disclose potential conflicts and take steps to avoid compromised judgment:

  • Recusing themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts exist.
  • Ensuring reviewers and authors declare all conflicts of interest.
  • Making conflict-related decisions transparent to safeguard journal integrity.

Publication Integrity

Editors must guard against publication misconduct, including:

  • Plagiarism and duplicate publication.
  • Data fabrication, falsification, or image manipulation.
  • Improper citation practices aimed at inflating metrics.
COPE’s flowcharts must be followed when handling ethical breaches.

Handling Complaints and Appeals

Editors must:

  • Provide clear mechanisms for authors to appeal editorial decisions.
  • Investigate complaints fairly and promptly.
  • Correct or retract published work when necessary to maintain scientific integrity.

Transparency in Decision-Making

  • Editors must explain acceptance, revision, or rejection decisions with adequate justification.
  • All editorial decisions should be recorded and traceable for accountability.

Respect for Authors and Reviewers

Editors must maintain respectful communication with all contributors. Responsibilities include:

  • Providing constructive feedback to authors.
  • Recognizing the contributions of reviewers.
  • Avoiding undue delays in the editorial and review process.

Ethical Leadership

Editors are role models for ethical scholarship and must promote an environment of integrity and inclusivity. They are responsible for continuously updating editorial policies to align with evolving standards.

FAQs

What should editors do if they suspect misconduct?

Follow COPE guidelines, investigate thoroughly, and collaborate with the editorial board before taking corrective action.

Can editors publish their own work in JPRR?

Yes, but such submissions must be handled by independent editors to avoid conflicts of interest.

How do editors balance confidentiality with transparency?

Confidentiality protects authors and reviewers, while transparency ensures that decisions are clear and traceable. Editors must strike this balance carefully.

Conclusion

Upholding ethical principles is essential to maintaining trust in scholarly publishing. Editors of JPRR serve as stewards of academic integrity, ensuring that the journal remains a respected platform for advancing respiratory and pulmonary science.