Editorial Ethics

At the heart of this process lies a thorough and considerate editorial assessment and peer review, a cornerstone we believe is paramount for evaluating scientific research:

Our unwavering commitment to integrity aligns with the high ethical standards universally embraced in the scientific community. Adhering to
Elsevier’s Publishing Ethics policies, we expect authors and reviewers to uphold these standards. We safeguard the confidentiality of submissions to our journals, refraining from sharing manuscript or peer review process details with individuals external to J-STEAM without permission, except under exceptional circumstances deemed necessary. Tailoring specific peer-review policies to reflect the norms of the diverse communities we serve, we remain vigilant in evaluating these policies as community norms evolve.

We underscore transparency as indispensable for instilling trust in the scientific process, emphasizing the disclosure of competing interests as a pivotal component. Authors are required to declare any potential conflicts related to their submitted work, and editors abstain from involvement in decisions concerning papers where they have a direct conflict of interest. As professional editors, we eschew honoraria or prizes for activities directly linked to our editorial roles at J-STEAM.

Our commitment extends to ensuring that our peer review processes maintain rigor, fairness, and timeliness. Our independent decisions are rooted in the scientific content of submissions and supported by evidence. Fostering constructive and professional dialogue among authors, reviewers, and our editorial teams, we remain cognizant of potential biases inherent in any human judgment-based evaluation process. To mitigate biases, we actively promote diversity within our editorial teams, advisory boards, and in our selection of expert reviewers.

Safeguarding the integrity of the published record, we diligently assess reported or suspected misconduct, making independent decisions in investigations. We adhere to due process in evaluating potential scientific misconduct, acknowledging the importance of promptly making investigation outcomes that may impact future research publicly available. As a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), our policies are informed by COPE guidelines.

Upholding editorial independence and ensuring decisions on manuscripts are free from commercial interests are values we staunchly uphold, guided by Elsevier’s Principle of Editorial  Independence