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The Editorial Process

1. Principles and Governance

  • Editorial independence is maintained at all times.
  • Decisions are based on quality, relevance, and integrity, not commercial or personal interests.
  • Editors adhere to COPE and ICMJE recommendations.

2. Submission and Initial Checks

  • Submissions are screened for scope, completeness, and compliance with ethical and reporting standards.
  • Trial registration numbers must be included in abstracts where applicable.
  • Data and code should be made available whenever possible.

3. Editorial Assessment

  • A Senior Editor or the Editor in Chief evaluates all manuscripts.
  • Suitable papers are assigned to an Academic Editor with subject expertise.
  • Editors may decline with feedback at this stage if the work is clearly unsuitable.

4. Peer Review Model

  • Default: Double anonymized review (authors and reviewers remain anonymous).
  • Reviewers may sign their reports if they wish.

5. Reviewer Selection and Expectations

  • At least two independent expert reviewers are invited.
  • Reviewers are asked to provide constructive, evidence-based feedback within two weeks.
  • Conflicts of interest are carefully managed.

6. Editorial Decisions

  • Decisions include: accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject.
  • Clear reasons are provided for all outcomes.

7. Revisions

  • Authors submit a detailed response to each reviewer comment.
  • Revised manuscripts may be returned to reviewers at the editor’s discretion.

8. Appeals and Complaints

  • Appeals must be supported by a reasoned letter.
  • Appeals are reviewed by a senior editor not involved in the first decision.
  • Concerns about published work or editorial conduct are addressed in line with COPE flowcharts.

9. Research Integrity

  • Issues such as plagiarism, data fabrication, image manipulation, or undisclosed conflicts are investigated thoroughly.
  • Where necessary, institutions and funders are contacted.

10. Authorship and Contributorship

  • Authorship must meet ICMJE criteria.
  • A CRediT contributorship statement is required.

11. Conflicts of Interest and Funding

  • All financial and non-financial relationships must be declared by authors, editors, and reviewers.

12. Editors as Authors

  • Submissions from editors or board members are handled independently.
  • The submitting editor has no role in the decision-making process.

13. Data, Materials, and Code

  • Authors are encouraged to deposit data and code in trusted repositories.
  • Editors may request access during review.

14. Reporting Standards and Registration

  • Authors should follow discipline-appropriate reporting guidelines.
  • Clinical trials must be registered before enrollment.

15. Open Research Options

  • Preprints are permitted if disclosed at submission.
  • Authors may choose to publish peer review history alongside the article.

16. Artificial Intelligence Tools

  • Any use of AI tools must be disclosed with a clear description of their role.

17. Production and Publication

  • Accepted manuscripts move through copyediting, typesetting, proofing, and publication.
  • Metadata include contributions, funding, conflicts, ethics approvals, and data availability.
  • Authors are kept informed throughout the process.