Policy

Ethical guidelines for editorial board members of GPCL’s journals

The Genesis Publishing Consortium Limited (GPCL) is unwavering in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct across all facets of its editorial process. The following ethical guidelines have been meticulously crafted to offer Editorial Board Members clear and comprehensive direction, ensuring their steadfast adherence to the principles of ethical publishing. By following these guidelines, members contribute to the credibility and integrity of GPCL, fostering a trustworthy and reputable scholarly publishing environment.

Scope of application

These guidelines apply to every member of the editorial board, encompassing the Editor-in-Chief, associate editors, and editorial board members. Adherence to these ethical standards is imperative for creating a scholarly publishing environment built on trust, integrity, and ethical conduct.

General ethical principles

Integrity and objectivity

Impartiality

Editorial board members must maintain absolute impartiality and objectivity in their editorial decisions. Their judgment should remain free from personal, financial, or any other conflicts of interest that may compromise the integrity of the peer-review process.

Confidentiality

All submitted manuscripts and editorial discussions are to be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Editorial board members must not disclose information about manuscripts under consideration to anyone outside those involved in the editorial process.

Professional conduct

Professionalism

A commitment to the highest level of professionalism is expected from editorial board members. This includes the respectful treatment of authors, reviewers, and colleagues, with a strict prohibition on any form of harassment, discrimination, or unprofessional behavior.

Disclosure of conflicts

Members must promptly disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their judgment or create bias. Full disclosure is essential for maintaining transparency in the editorial process.

Manuscript handling

Peer review

A fair and constructive review

Editorial board members are obligated to conduct fair, unbiased, and constructive peer reviews. Their assessments should focus on the quality and validity of the research, providing authors with insightful guidance to enhance their work.

Timeliness

Completing the peer review process in a timely manner is an expectation placed on editorial board members. Timely reviews contribute to the efficiency of the editorial process and ensure authors receive feedback promptly.

Authorship and contributorship

Authorship criteria

Adherence to recognized authorship criteria is imperative for editorial board members. This ensures that individuals who have made significant contributions to the research are appropriately acknowledged as authors.

Conflict resolution

In instances of authorship disputes or conflicts, editorial board members are expected to actively pursue fair and amicable resolutions. This may involve relevant parties and, when necessary, seeking guidance from the Editor-in-Chief.

Ethical oversight

Research ethics

Human and animal subjects

Members must ensure that research involving human or animal subjects complies with ethical standards. Authors are required to provide evidence of ethical approval for such research.

Plagiarism and misconduct

Vigilance in identifying and addressing plagiarism, data fabrication, and other forms of research misconduct is crucial. Allegations of misconduct should be reported to the Editor-in-Chief for thorough investigation.

Conflicts of interest

Disclosure and Management

Members should transparently 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

If an editorial board member is assigned as a reviewer for a manuscript, they should promptly inform the Editor-in-Chief of any conflict of interest. The Editor-in-Chief will then assign an alternative reviewer.

Editorial decision-making

Fairness and transparency

Consistency

Editorial decisions must be consistent, fair, and based solely on the merit of the research. Manuscripts should be evaluated exclusively on their scientific and ethical value.

Communication

Clear communication of editorial decisions and providing authors with constructive feedback is vital. Any significant concerns or recommended revisions should be communicated clearly.

Appeals and complaints

Grievance handling

Members are expected to 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

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

GPCL 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, GPCL is unwavering in its commitment to regularly reviewing and updating these ethical guidelines. This commitment ensures alignment with evolving standards and best practices, underscoring GPCL’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 GPCL. Editorial board members play a pivotal role in upholding these principles, contributing to the integrity of the scholarly publishing process and fostering a culture of ethical excellence.

Ethical guidelines for editorial board members

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