Confidentiality and Ethics
Editors of the Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders (JNND) are bound by strict principles of confidentiality and ethical conduct. Upholding these principles is essential to maintaining trust in the editorial process and ensuring fairness to authors and reviewers.
Confidentiality in Editorial Work
- All submitted manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents.
- Manuscripts must not be shared beyond the editorial and peer review process.
- Editors must ensure reviewers also commit to confidentiality.
- Author identities should be protected in double-blind peer review.
Use of Unpublished Material
Editors must not use unpublished data or ideas from submitted manuscripts for personal advantage. Any breach of this principle constitutes a serious ethical violation.
Conflicts of Interest
- Editors must recuse themselves if they have personal, professional, or financial ties to the manuscript’s authors.
- Conflicted submissions must be reassigned to another editor to maintain impartiality.
Ethical Oversight
Editors are responsible for ensuring manuscripts comply with COPE, ICMJE, and WAME ethical standards, including:
- Research involving human subjects must include informed consent and ethical approval.
- Animal studies must comply with recognized welfare guidelines.
- Clinical trials must be registered in approved databases.
Handling Allegations of Misconduct
Editors must investigate all allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism, duplicate submission, or data fabrication. Investigations should be conducted confidentially, with fairness and transparency.
Editors act as custodians of scholarly integrity. Upholding confidentiality and ethics preserves the credibility of JNND and its contributors.
Transparency in Communication
- Decisions must be communicated clearly and respectfully to authors.
- Appeals and complaints should be addressed promptly and fairly.
- All editorial communications must remain professional and documented.
FAQs
Can editors discuss manuscripts with colleagues outside the journal?
No. Manuscripts are strictly confidential and cannot be shared externally without permission.
What happens if an editor fails to declare a conflict of interest?
The case will be reviewed, and the manuscript reassigned. Repeated violations may result in removal from the editorial board.
Are editors allowed to publish in JNND?
Yes, but their manuscripts undergo independent peer review without their editorial involvement.