Ethics for Editors

Editors of the Journal of Hematology and Clinical Research (JHCR) are responsible for upholding the ethical standards that ensure the credibility, fairness, and transparency of the editorial process. Their ethical conduct reflects the journal’s reputation and compliance with global publishing standards, including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), ICMJE, and WAME.

Core Principles of Editorial Ethics

• Integrity: Maintain honesty and transparency in every editorial decision.
• Accountability: Take responsibility for published content and editorial procedures.
• Confidentiality: Protect author, reviewer, and manuscript information.
• Fairness: Evaluate submissions based solely on scholarly merit.
• Independence: Remain free from external commercial, institutional, or personal bias.

Decision-Making Integrity

Editors must make decisions grounded in evidence and peer review feedback, not personal preference. The rationale behind each decision must be documented, ensuring traceability and transparency.

Confidentiality

Information related to submitted manuscripts, including the identities of authors and reviewers, must be strictly confidential. Editors must not share or use unpublished data for personal gain.

Conflict of Interest

Editors must disclose any personal, professional, or financial interests that may influence their editorial decisions. In such cases, manuscripts should be reassigned to an independent editor to maintain objectivity.

Ethical Oversight of Peer Review

Editors are responsible for ensuring that peer review remains unbiased, constructive, and confidential. The process should protect both author and reviewer identities, particularly under double-blind review models.

• Reviewers must be selected based on subject expertise and impartiality.
• Editors must not alter reviewer feedback unless correcting factual or ethical issues.
• All peer review timelines and reviewer responses must be recorded within the system.

Dealing with Misconduct

If misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, falsification, or duplicate submission) is suspected, editors must act promptly according to COPE’s established procedures.

Professional Communication

Editors must communicate respectfully with authors, reviewers, and staff. Criticism should be constructive, and decisions should include clear reasoning. Editors must refrain from personal bias or discriminatory remarks.

Handling Sensitive Data

When editors handle manuscripts with patient data, genetic information, or confidential institutional research, extra caution must be taken to anonymize details and ensure legal compliance under GDPR and HIPAA frameworks.

Editorial Independence and Accountability

The editorial board must operate independently from the publisher’s marketing or financial divisions. Editors are accountable for the content published under their supervision and should defend their editorial autonomy from external pressure.

Ethical Training and Awareness

JHCR encourages editors to undergo continual training through COPE and ICMJE ethics webinars and case studies to strengthen their judgment and ethical awareness.

Consequences of Ethical Breach

Any editor found violating ethical standards may face corrective actions, including removal from the board, COPE reporting, or institutional notification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can editors handle papers from their own institutions?

No. Such submissions must be reassigned to independent editors to avoid bias.

What if an editor receives a complaint from an author?

Respond courteously, document all correspondence, and involve the Editor-in-Chief or ethics committee if needed.

How should editors deal with reviewer misconduct?

Remove the reviewer, record the incident, and, if necessary, inform COPE or institutional authorities.

Contact Information

Editorial Office – Journal of Hematology and Clinical Research (JHCR)
Heighten Science Publications Inc.
Website: https://www.hematologyresjournal.com/
Email: [email protected]