Editors are entrusted with protecting the integrity of scholarly communication. This Ethics for Editors policy outlines the moral and professional obligations of editors in their stewardship of the peer review and publication process.

Integrity of Editorial Decisions

Editorial decisions must be made solely on academic merit and relevance, uninfluenced by commercial or personal considerations. Editors must resist pressures from institutions, funders, or individuals that may compromise impartiality.

Impartiality and Inclusivity

Editors must apply consistent standards across all submissions, treating authors with respect regardless of their nationality, gender, career stage, or institutional affiliation. Promoting inclusivity in author and reviewer representation strengthens the fairness and reach of scholarly publishing.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review are privileged communications. Editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted work and ensure it is not shared beyond those directly involved in the editorial process. Information gained during peer review may not be used for personal advantage.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where personal, financial, or professional conflicts exist. Assigning such manuscripts to another impartial editor preserves fairness and credibility.

Handling Misconduct

Editors are responsible for identifying and addressing potential misconduct such as plagiarism, data manipulation, redundant publication, or ethical breaches in research involving humans or animals. Guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) should inform responses.

Transparency with Authors

Communication with authors must be clear, respectful, and constructive. Decision letters should provide adequate reasoning, particularly in cases of rejection, and should reflect both reviewer input and editorial judgment.

Respect for Reviewers

Editors must treat reviewers as partners in scholarly publishing. This includes respecting their confidentiality, recognizing their contributions, and protecting them from undue influence or retaliation.

Continuous Improvement

Editors should actively seek to improve their knowledge of best practices in publishing ethics, diversity, and peer review standards. Participation in training programs, professional forums, and COPE events is strongly encouraged.

Guardianship of the Scholarly Record

Editors act as guardians of the scholarly record. When errors, inaccuracies, or ethical breaches are discovered, they must ensure corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern are issued promptly, safeguarding the reliability of published work.

Conclusion

Upholding editorial ethics is both a professional obligation and a moral responsibility. By embracing integrity, impartiality, and transparency, editors reinforce trust in the journal and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of food and nutritional science.