Ethical principles of the journal editors

The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) outlines comprehensive ethical principles for editors to ensure the integrity, transparency, and fairness of the editorial and publication process. These guidelines are essential in promoting high standards of scholarly publishing and ensuring that the publication process is free from bias, conflicts of interest, and misconduct. The editorial board of the Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications fully adheres to and supports the principles outlined by COPE in order to maintain the credibility and ethical standards of the journal. Below are the key ethical principles that editors must follow:

1. Fairness and Impartiality

Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts fairly and impartially, making decisions based solely on the quality of the research, the validity of the results, and the relevance to the journal's scope. Editors should avoid bias, favoritism, or any form of discrimination based on the authors' identity, nationality, gender, or institutional affiliation. All decisions should be based solely on the merits of the work.

2. Confidentiality

Editors must ensure that all manuscripts and associated materials are kept confidential during the review and decision-making process. They should not disclose information about a manuscript to anyone other than the reviewers and appropriate editorial staff. Editors must also protect the confidentiality of reviewers’ identities, except where the review is conducted in an open-peer-review process, and ensure that the authors’ identities remain confidential during the review process if this is required.

3. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that might affect their decision-making process. If an editor has a conflict of interest with a manuscript (e.g., if they have a professional relationship or financial interest in the outcome), they should recuse themselves from handling that manuscript. Additionally, if an editor believes that a conflict of interest exists for any of the reviewers, they should take appropriate action to ensure impartiality.

4. Transparency in Decision-Making

Editors are responsible for providing a transparent decision-making process. They should clearly explain their decisions to authors and provide constructive feedback when manuscripts are rejected or require revisions. In cases of controversial decisions, editors should be prepared to justify their decisions with reference to the manuscript's academic merit and relevance to the journal.

5. Responsibility for the Content of the Journal

Editors bear ultimate responsibility for the content published in the journal. This includes ensuring that the published research meets ethical standards, has been peer-reviewed appropriately, and complies with applicable standards for data integrity, research ethics, and publication ethics. Editors must act to protect the journal’s reputation by ensuring that only high-quality, valid, and ethical research is published.

6. Ensuring Ethical Publishing Practices

Editors must ensure that ethical issues, such as plagiarism, authorship disputes, and data manipulation, are addressed promptly and fairly. If ethical concerns are raised about a manuscript, the editor should investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action, including contacting the authors, reviewers, and other relevant parties. In cases of misconduct, editors should retract or correct published articles where necessary and inform relevant stakeholders, such as research institutions or funding bodies.

7. Handling of Manuscripts in a Timely Manner

Editors should ensure that manuscripts are processed and reviewed in a timely manner. Delays in the editorial process can harm the authors’ careers and the journal's reputation. The editorial board should set clear timelines for reviews and decision-making and communicate any delays to authors promptly.

8. Respect for Authors and Reviewers

Editors should respect the dignity of authors and reviewers by providing fair, respectful, and constructive feedback. They must avoid inappropriate behavior or comments that could damage the authors' professional reputations. Editors should also ensure that reviewers are treated with respect, ensuring that their time and effort are acknowledged, and any feedback they provide is considered seriously.

9. Handling Complaints and Appeals

Editors should establish and follow procedures for handling complaints or appeals regarding manuscripts and publication decisions. If an author feels their manuscript was unfairly treated or rejected, editors must provide a clear explanation and be open to reconsidering the decision if new information is provided. Complaints should be handled transparently, and the editor should seek to resolve any disputes impartially and professionally.

10. Promotion of Academic Integrity

Editors should actively work to promote academic integrity and ensure that research published in the journal adheres to the highest standards. This includes ensuring that manuscripts are free from plagiarism, falsification of data, or any form of unethical research practices. Editors should take appropriate actions if they suspect or confirm that a manuscript has violated ethical research standards.