Editor's Guidelines

The Annals of Proteomics and Bioinformatics (APB) entrusts its editors with the responsibility of maintaining the highest scholarly and ethical standards. Editors play a critical role in ensuring that every article published meets the journal’s principles of integrity, transparency, and scientific excellence.

This document provides a comprehensive guide for Editors, Associate Editors, and Section Editors in line with COPE and WAME best practices.

1. Editorial Responsibilities

  • Oversee manuscript evaluation, peer-review, and final decision-making processes.
  • Ensure all submissions are handled objectively, free from bias or discrimination.
  • Maintain confidentiality throughout the editorial and peer-review process.
  • Uphold the journal’s integrity by preventing plagiarism, data manipulation, or unethical conduct.

2. Editorial Independence

Editors must make publication decisions based on the scientific merit and originality of manuscripts without influence from political, financial, or personal interests. The editorial board operates independently of the publisher to ensure fairness and credibility.

3. Conflict of Interest

Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest regarding manuscripts under consideration. If an editor has a competing interest (personal, academic, or financial), the manuscript must be reassigned to another independent editor.

4. Manuscript Handling Workflow

  1. Conduct an initial screening to ensure scope and ethical compliance.
  2. Assign qualified peer reviewers with no conflicts of interest.
  3. Monitor reviewer performance and timeliness.
  4. Ensure revisions are appropriately addressed before final acceptance.
Editors should maintain communication with authors through the OJS platform only, ensuring documentation of all decisions.

5. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Editors must treat all submissions as confidential. Information should not be shared with anyone other than those directly involved in the editorial process. Personal data must be protected under GDPR and journal privacy regulations.

6. Peer Review Oversight

Editors are responsible for ensuring that peer review is fair, constructive, and double-blinded. They must protect reviewer anonymity and promote a culture of respect and academic rigor.

  • Encourage reviewers to disclose conflicts of interest.
  • Ensure reviewers adhere to deadlines and confidentiality rules.
  • Reject biased or unprofessional reviews.

7. Decision-Making and Communication

Decisions on manuscripts should be transparent and based on evidence from peer review. Editors must provide clear reasons for rejection or requests for revision. Constructive feedback improves manuscript quality and author experience.

8. Handling Misconduct and Retractions

Editors must promptly investigate any suspicion of plagiarism, data falsification, authorship disputes, or ethical violations. APB follows COPE flowcharts for retraction and correction procedures.

In confirmed cases, editors must issue appropriate notices such as Errata, Corrigenda, or Retraction Statements.

9. Collaboration with the Editorial Board

Editors should collaborate with associate editors, reviewers, and the editorial board to promote journal growth and uphold ethical consistency. Regular meetings and policy reviews are encouraged.

10. Inclusivity and Diversity

Editors are expected to foster inclusivity by ensuring representation across gender, geography, and disciplinary diversity. Manuscripts should be evaluated without prejudice or bias.

11. Continuous Learning

Editors should participate in professional development activities related to scholarly publishing, research ethics, and digital editorial management tools. Training ensures consistency and adherence to evolving global standards.

12. Editorial Transparency

All editorial decisions, reviewer reports, and correspondence must be documented within the OJS editorial workflow to ensure accountability and transparency.

Editorial records are retained securely for a minimum of five years.

13. Appeals and Complaints

Editors must ensure a fair mechanism for authors to appeal editorial decisions. Complaints about editorial behavior or peer-review fairness should be escalated to the Editor-in-Chief or Publisher.

14. Promoting Ethical Awareness

Editors should actively promote awareness of ethical publishing within their editorial teams and guide authors on compliance with APB’s ethics and misconduct policies.

15. Contact Information

© 2025 Annals of Proteomics and Bioinformatics (APB) · Heighten Sciences Publication Incorporation

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