Editorial Responsibilities

Editors of the Annals of Dermatological Research (ADR) are entrusted with safeguarding the quality, integrity, and fairness of the journal’s publication process. These responsibilities are defined in accordance with COPE, ICMJE, and WAME guidelines.

Editors are expected to act with integrity, accountability, and independence to ensure transparent and ethical publishing practices.

Role of the Editor-in-Chief

  • Oversee the entire editorial process and uphold ADR’s vision and mission.
  • Ensure compliance with ethical publishing standards.
  • Make final decisions on manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection.
  • Manage conflicts of interest and ensure unbiased editorial outcomes.
  • Represent ADR in academic communities, conferences, and global networks.

Role of Associate Editors

  • Assist the Editor-in-Chief in managing manuscript workflows.
  • Assign and communicate with reviewers based on subject expertise.
  • Ensure timely peer review and constructive feedback to authors.
  • Promote the journal in their respective academic networks.

Role of the Editorial Board

  • Advise on journal policies, scope, and strategy.
  • Promote ADR through professional networks and academic institutions.
  • Review and evaluate manuscripts within their expertise when requested.
  • Uphold ethical standards and contribute to decisions on misconduct cases.

Confidentiality

Editors must maintain confidentiality of all manuscripts under review, ensuring content is not disclosed to unauthorized individuals. Editors may not use unpublished material for personal research benefit.

Fairness and Impartiality

Editorial decisions must be based solely on the manuscript’s scientific merit and relevance to ADR’s scope. Discrimination based on gender, race, religion, or geography is strictly prohibited.

Handling Misconduct

Allegations of ethical breaches (plagiarism, falsification, duplicate submission) must be handled following COPE flowcharts. Editors are responsible for investigating and coordinating corrective actions, which may include corrections, retractions, or institutional notifications.

Transparency in Decision-Making

  • Provide clear reasons for decisions on manuscripts.
  • Allow authors to appeal rejections through a formal process.
  • Ensure reviewer feedback is constructive and free from bias.

Post-Publication Responsibilities

  • Oversee the publication of corrections, errata, or retractions when required.
  • Respond promptly to concerns raised by readers or institutions.
  • Maintain a transparent record of changes to published content.

Continuous Professional Development

Editors are encouraged to engage in professional development through training, workshops, and participation in editorial organizations such as COPE, ICMJE, and WAME to remain updated on evolving publishing standards.

FAQs

Can editors publish in ADR?

Yes, but such submissions must be handled independently by another editor without conflicts of interest.

How are editorial disputes resolved?

Disputes are escalated to the Editor-in-Chief, and if necessary, to an independent advisory committee.

Are editors allowed to reject without review?

Yes, if a submission clearly falls outside ADR’s scope or fails to meet minimum quality standards.