Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher plays a critical role in supporting the editorial team and ensuring that the journal operates according to recognized standards of ethical publishing. The publisher works in collaboration with editors to uphold transparency, editorial independence, and the integrity of the scholarly record.

The publisher should ensure that editorial decisions are made independently by the editorial team and are not influenced by commercial, financial, or political interests. Editorial decisions should be based solely on the scholarly merit and relevance of submitted manuscripts.

The publisher should work with editors to implement and maintain policies related to publication ethics, research integrity, and responsible scholarly communication. This includes providing the infrastructure and support needed for ethical editorial processes and peer review.

When allegations of misconduct arise, the publisher should collaborate with editors to investigate the concerns and follow appropriate procedures in accordance with recognized ethical guidelines. Investigations may involve communication with authors, institutions, or other relevant stakeholders.

The publisher should support editors in correcting the scholarly record when necessary. This may involve publishing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when significant errors or ethical issues are identified in published articles.

The publisher should ensure that journal policies, including those related to publication ethics, authorship, peer review, conflicts of interest, and corrections, are clearly stated and accessible to authors, reviewers, and readers on the journal website.