Editorial Responsibilities

Editors of the Annals of Proteomics and Bioinformatics (APB) play an essential role in ensuring the integrity, quality, and ethical conduct of the journal’s publications. These Editorial Responsibilities outline the duties and professional expectations that guide editorial decision-making, peer-review management, and journal development.

Editorial duties must always be performed with impartiality, accountability, and respect for the principles of scholarly publishing as set forth by COPE, WAME, and ICMJE.

1. Editorial Independence

Editors have full authority for editorial decisions and are free from influence by the publisher, sponsors, or other external parties. Decisions should be guided solely by the manuscript’s scientific merit and relevance to the journal’s scope.

2. Fair Evaluation

Editors must evaluate manuscripts objectively, without discrimination based on gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, institutional affiliation, or political opinion. Every author should receive fair consideration.

3. Peer-Review Oversight

Editors are responsible for selecting qualified, independent, and ethical reviewers for each submission. They must ensure the process remains double-blind and confidential, providing reviewers with adequate guidance and timelines.

  • Reviewers should be chosen based on expertise, not familiarity.
  • All communications should remain confidential within the OJS system.

4. Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. No information should be shared beyond the editorial and peer-review team without explicit permission from the Editor-in-Chief.

5. Conflicts of Interest

Editors must disclose any conflict of interest that could influence their editorial judgment. Manuscripts where a conflict exists should be delegated to another editor to maintain fairness.

6. Publication Decisions

The final decision to accept, revise, or reject a manuscript must be based on the quality, originality, and clarity of the work, and its contribution to the field of proteomics and bioinformatics. Editorial decisions should be well documented and communicated promptly to authors.

7. Ethical Compliance

Editors must verify that all submissions comply with ethical standards relating to plagiarism, authorship, data integrity, and research involving human or animal subjects. Any suspicion of misconduct must be investigated following COPE guidelines.

8. Handling of Misconduct

If misconduct is suspected, editors must initiate an investigation using COPE flowcharts and communicate transparently with the authors and institutions involved. Proven cases of unethical conduct may lead to manuscript rejection, correction, or retraction.

9. Correction and Retraction

Editors are responsible for ensuring that necessary corrections, errata, or retraction statements are issued promptly when errors or ethical breaches are identified post-publication.

10. Reviewer Recognition

Editors should recognize the vital role of reviewers by maintaining a transparent and respectful peer-review culture. Constructive feedback should be encouraged, and reviewer performance periodically evaluated.

11. Data and Privacy Protection

Editors must ensure that personal and research data are managed in accordance with privacy regulations, including GDPR compliance. Data sharing should only occur when it benefits scientific transparency and consent is obtained.

12. Editorial Collaboration

Editors should collaborate actively with associate editors, reviewers, and the editorial board to uphold consistent editorial standards and enhance the journal’s reputation globally.

13. Transparency in Editorial Processes

All editorial steps—from submission to final decision—must be traceable in the OJS system. Editors are expected to maintain accurate records and communicate clearly with authors about decision timelines.

14. Continuous Improvement

Editors should engage in professional training related to academic publishing, research ethics, and emerging technologies such as AI-based editorial tools, ensuring they remain informed about global best practices.

15. Appeals and Complaints

Editors must ensure that a clear procedure is available for authors to appeal editorial decisions or raise concerns regarding editorial conduct. Appeals should be handled by the Editor-in-Chief or the publisher’s ethics committee impartially.

16. Accountability

Editors are accountable for maintaining the scientific integrity of the journal and are required to report annually to the publisher regarding adherence to ethical and operational policies.

17. Contact Information

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Source Reference: COPE Core Practices, ICMJE Editorial Responsibilities Guidelines, WAME Best Practices, and DOAJ Transparency Principles.