Editor and Editorial Board
The role of Editors and Editorial Board Members are of great importance in research publication. Due to their importance, Integrity Research Journals ensured that only qualified and highly experienced researchers and academicians are selected to serve as Editors or Editorial Board Members. Editors and Editorial Board Members are responsible for making final decisions on any manuscript. Integrity Research Journals require all Editors and Editorial Board Members to adhere strictly to COPE Code of Conduct for Journal Editors.
Criteria for Editors and Editorial Board Members
Researchers or academicians who desire to serve as Editors or Editorial Board Members of Integrity Research Journals must:
poses a doctorate degree from a recognize higher institution of learning
have a teaching and research experience of not less than 7 years
have published not less than 5 research articles in reputable and related journals
have acted as a reviewer for other related journals
have adequate knowledge of the scope of the journal
be willing to render voluntary services without remuneration
Interested researchers/academicians should forward their recent CV , including tittles of all their publications to editorialboard@integrityresjournals.org for evaluation.
Code of Conduct for Editors
Among others, Editors should adhere strictly to the following code of conduct as stipulated by Committee on Publication Ethics (Kleinert and Wager, 2011)
Editors are accountable and should take responsibility for everything they publish.
Editors should make fair and unbiased decisions independent from commercial consideration and ensure a fair and appropriate peer review process.
Editors should adopt editorial policies that encourage maximum transparency and complete, honest reporting.
Editors should guard the integrity of the published record by issuing corrections and retractions when needed and pursuing suspected or alleged research and publication misconduct.
Editors should pursue reviewer and editorial misconduct.
Editors should critically assess the ethical conduct of studies in humans and animals.
Peer reviewers and authors should be told what is expected of them.
Editors should have appropriate policies in place for handling editorial conflicts of interest.
Editors should aim to ensure timely peer review and publication and should avoid unnecessary delays.
Editorial Freedom
Editors and Editorial Board Members have total freedom in performing their duties. Any form of Interference from the publishers, reviewers, authors, organizations or persons is an act of misconduct and is strictly forbidden.
Reference for further reading
Kleinert S & Wager E (2011) Responsible research publication: international standards for editors. A position statement developed at the 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity, Singapore, July 22-24, 2010. Chapter 51 in: Mayer T & Steneck N (eds) Promoting Research Integrity in a Global Environment. Imperial College Press / World Scientific Publishing, Singapore (pp 317-28). (ISBN 978-981-4340-97-7)