1. Introduction
USAR Publisher is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic publishing. These editorial guidelines ensure consistency, quality, and ethical integrity in all published research. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to adhere to these principles to maintain the credibility and impact of scholarly communication.
2. Editorial Guidelines
At USAR Publisher, the editorial team plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality, integrity, and ethical standards of our publications. These guidelines provide a framework for editors to ensure a fair, transparent, and high-quality editorial process that upholds the mission and values of USAR Publisher.
2.1 Responsibilities of Editors
Editors are responsible for:
Ensuring the quality, originality, and significance of published research.
Managing the peer review process fairly and efficiently.
Upholding ethical publishing standards and addressing any ethical concerns.
Making unbiased editorial decisions based on scholarly merit.
Maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of manuscript handling.
2.2 Editorial Decision-Making
Manuscripts are initially screened for scope, originality, and ethical compliance.
After desk review, suitable manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers.
Editors evaluate reviewer reports and make final decisions based on academic merit, clarity, and relevance.
Possible editorial decisions include:
Accept as is – The manuscript meets all criteria for publication.
Minor Revisions Required – The manuscript requires minor modifications.
Major Revisions Required – The manuscript requires substantial improvements before reconsideration.
Reject – The manuscript does not meet the journal’s publication standards.
2.3 Ethical Responsibilities
Editors must adhere to ethical principles, including:
Fairness & Objectivity – Editorial decisions should be based solely on the manuscript’s scholarly value, regardless of the author’s background, institutional affiliation, or nationality.
Confidentiality – Editors must not disclose manuscript details to anyone outside the review process.
Conflict of Interest – Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have personal, financial, or professional conflicts of interest.
Handling Misconduct – Any allegations of plagiarism, data manipulation, or unethical research practices should be investigated and addressed in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
2.4 Peer Review Management
Editors must:
Select qualified, impartial, and timely reviewers.
Ensure the double-blind review process is followed, maintaining anonymity of both authors and reviewers.
Monitor the review timeline to prevent delays in publication.
Provide clear and constructive feedback to authors based on reviewers’ comments.
2.5 Handling Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a formal request with justification.
The editorial board will review appeals objectively and determine if a re-evaluation is warranted.
Complaints about editorial processes or ethical concerns should be reported to the editor-in-chief for resolution.
2.6 Editorial Independence
Editors must:
Maintain editorial independence and ensure decisions are free from commercial, political, or personal influences.
Reject any external pressure that might compromise the integrity of the publication.
Promote a culture of academic freedom and responsible research dissemination.
2.7 Ensuring Quality and Innovation
Editors should:
Encourage high-impact research that contributes to scholarly advancement.
Stay informed about emerging trends, methodologies, and best practices in academic publishing.
Promote inclusivity and diversity in published research.
2.8 Post-Publication Responsibilities
Editors are responsible for:
Addressing post-publication concerns, including errors, ethical breaches, or retractions.
Publishing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary.
Engaging with the academic community to foster knowledge exchange.
2.9 Editorial Board Responsibilities
The Editorial Board provides strategic guidance and ensures the journal’s standards align with international publishing best practices.
Board members should actively contribute by reviewing manuscripts, suggesting improvements, and promoting the journal’s mission.
3. Open Access and Licensing
USAR Publisher follows the CC-BY-NC (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial) license.
This allows for free and open access to research while restricting commercial use.
4. Corrections, Retractions, and Post-Publication Updates
Corrections: Minor errors that do not affect research findings may be corrected.
Retractions: Serious ethical violations, plagiarism, or errors that compromise research validity may lead to retraction.
Post-Publication Updates: Authors can request updates if new significant data emerges.
