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Information for Editors

Information for Editors

Last updated: 2022-04-30

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For Editors

Who Are Editors?
What Makes You An Editor?
How to Apply?
Role of Publisher
Role of Journal Manager
Peer Review Overview
Appeals and Complaints
Disclaimer
Frequently Asked Questions

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Who Are Editors?

The Journals operate under the guidance of an Editorial Board, providing expert advice on content, attracting new authors, and encouraging submissions. Editorial board members play a crucial role in the scholarly publishing process. They are experts in their respective fields who are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the quality, integrity, and relevance of the content published in a Journal. This is almost always an honorary position, although board members sometimes provide peer reviews of submissions. A member may be asked to review several manuscripts per year and may edit a special issue.
The Editorial Board, or (Editorial) Advisory Board, is a team of experts in the Journal's field. Editorial Board members:

  • Review submitted manuscripts.
  • Advise on Journal focus and scope.
  • Identify topics for special issues, which they may guest edit.
  • Attract new authors and submissions.
  • Promote the Journal to their colleagues and peers.
  • Assist the editor(s) in decision-making over issues such as plagiarism claims and submissions where reviewers can’t agree on a decision.

What Makes You An Editor?
Editorial Roles

The success of any Journal hinges on its dedicated editorial team. At STM, we are proud to boast a diverse group of experts who drive quality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields.

Whether you're an aspiring author, seasoned researcher, or simply curious about the publishing process, this section delves into the roles and responsibilities of our editorial team. Discover how they ensure excellence at every stage, from manuscript submission to publication and beyond.

Ready to learn more about their specific roles and how they contribute to STM's commitment to scholarly excellence?

Editorial Roles and Responsibilities

How to Apply?

Join the Board

Interested individuals can these detailed steps to express their interests or apply through the APID platform:

1) Registration on APID

Go to APID’s website and click "Sign Up."

Enter your email, receive OTP, and verify.

Set a password to complete the registration.

2) Apply for Advisory Board

Update your profile after registration.

Select "Yes" for Editorial/Advisory Board application.

Click "Update Profile" to access the application form.

3) Complete the Application

Fill out the application form completely.


Ensure all information is accurate before submitting.

5) Submit Your Application

Click the "Submit" button once the form is complete.

You'll receive a confirmation email upon successful submission.

6) Await Response

Your application will be reviewed by the selection committee.

You'll be notified of the decision after the review process.

Additional Tips

Ensure your contact info is correct for easy communication.

Regularly check your email, including the spam/junk folder.

Familiarize yourself with the current board members and goals.

Role of Publisher

The publisher plays a vital role in supporting the editorial board in managing the Journal effectively, ensuring the publication of high-quality research, and maximizing its impact and reach within the academic community.

  • Strategic Direction
  • Setting the strategic direction and vision for the Journal, in consultation with the editorial board, to ensure alignment with the publisher's goals and objectives.
  • Quality Assurance
  • Ensuring rigorous peer review and editorial standards are maintained to uphold the credibility and integrity of the Journal's content.
  • Publication Management
  • Overseeing the manuscript submission, peer review, and publication processes to ensure efficiency, transparency, and adherence to timelines.
  • Editorial Support
  • Providing editorial support and resources to the editorial board, including guidance on editorial policies, manuscript handling, and ethical standards.
  • Promotion and Visibility
  • Promoting the Journal to increase visibility, readership, and impact, through marketing efforts, conference participation, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
  • Access and Distribution
  • Managing access to Journal content through subscription models, open access initiatives, and distribution channels to reach a diverse audience of readers and researchers.
  • Compliance and Legal Affairs
  • Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including copyright, licensing, data protection, and ethical standards, to mitigate risks and liabilities.
  • Collaboration and Networking
  • Facilitating collaboration and networking opportunities for the editorial board with researchers, institutions, and professional societies to foster academic exchange and community engagement.

Role of Journal Manager

The publisher plays a vital role in supporting the editorial board in managing the Journal effectively, ensuring the publication of high-quality research, and maximizing its impact and reach within the academic community.

  • Editorial Oversight
  • Manages the editorial process, including manuscript submission, peer review, and publication, to ensure efficiency and quality.
  • Team Management
  • Oversees the editorial team, including editors, reviewers, and administrative staff, and provides leadership and support.
  • Policy Development
  • Develops editorial policies and guidelines in consultation with the editorial board to maintain consistency and integrity in the peer review process.
  • Quality Control
  • Ensures the quality and integrity of published content by enforcing editorial standards, ethical guidelines, and best practices.
  • Peer Review Management
  • Manages the peer review process, including assigning reviewers, monitoring review timelines, and making editorial decisions based on reviewers' feedback.
  • Author and Reviewer Support
  • Provides support and guidance to authors and reviewers throughout the submission and review process, addressing inquiries and resolving issues as needed.
  • Journal Promotion
  • Promotes the Journal to increase visibility, readership, and submissions through marketing, networking, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
  • Performance Monitoring
  • Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including copyright, licensing, data protection, and ethical standards, to mitigate risks and liabilities.
  • Collaboration and Networking
  • Monitors and evaluates Journal performance, including submission rates, acceptance rates, and publication timelines, and implements improvements as necessary.
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Addresses conflicts or disputes that may arise during the editorial process, resolving issues in a fair and timely manner.
  • Compliance and Accreditation
  • Ensures compliance with industry standards, publisher policies, and accreditation requirements to maintain the Journal's reputation and credibility.

Peer Review Overview

All articles submitted to us are subject to a stringent reviewing process for considering a manuscript for publication. These submitted manuscripts are edited by acknowledged experts in their respective fields the reviewer is assigned by the Journal editor. An editor can decide whether to not to send a manuscript for review and handle the review process by themselves.
All articles submitted to us are subjected to a stringent reviewing process for considering a manuscript for publication. Initially, the article undergoes a pre-acceptance stage where the Journal’s Managing Editor will check the article's suitability according to the focus and scope of the Journal, plagiarism check, and manuscript formatting. If the article finds suitable for further processing, Managing Editor will give a pre-Article Processing Charges acceptance clearance to the author and assign the Reviewer/ Expert Editor from the editorial board for peer review. The Managing Editor will ensure that the article may get at least 2 reviewer reports. Any flaw or error detected during the process will intimate the author for modification or revision of the content.

 Know More about Peer-Review Policy

Appeals and Complaints

Generally, the editorial decisions are not reversed. However, authors who think that their manuscript was rejected due to a misunderstanding or mistake may seek an explanation for the decision. Appeals must give sound reasoning and compelling evidence against the criticism raised in the rejection letter. A difference of opinion as to the interest, novelty, or suitability of the manuscript for the Journal will not be considered an appeal. The editors will consider the appeal and the decision thereafter taken by the Journal will be deemed final. Acceptance of the manuscript is not guaranteed even if the Journal agrees to reconsider the manuscript, and the reconsideration process may involve previous or new reviewers or editors and substantive revision.
Authors who wish to make a complaint should refer them to the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal concerned. Complaints should be raised at:

 Query Portal

Disclaimer

Responsibility for the content published by STM Publishers in any of its Journals, including any opinions expressed therein, rests exclusively with the author(s) of such content. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, STM (on its behalf, and on behalf of its staff and members of its editorial board) disclaims responsibility for all injury and/or damage (whether financial or otherwise) to persons or property, resulting directly or indirectly from any ideas, methods, instructions or products (including errors in the same) referred to in the content of any of STM Journals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Editorial Responsibilities
What is the role of an editor in STM Journals?

Editors play a critical role in overseeing the entire publication process, from manuscript submission to final publication. They ensure the quality, integrity, and academic rigor of the journal’s content and maintain ethical standards throughout the process. Editors also facilitate the peer review process, provide feedback to authors, and ensure timely publication.

How are manuscripts assigned to editors?

Manuscripts are assigned to editors based on their area of expertise, availability, and workload. Editors should have a strong background in the subject matter of the manuscript to ensure fair and knowledgeable evaluation.

Can editors suggest potential reviewers for a manuscript?

Yes, editors are encouraged to suggest qualified reviewers based on their expertise. However, the final decision on reviewer selection rests with the editor-in-chief, in line with the journal’s peer review guidelines.

Can an editor reject a manuscript based solely on personal preferences?

No, an editor should never reject a manuscript based on personal preferences. Rejections must be based on academic criteria, the manuscript’s relevance to the journal, and feedback from peer reviewers. The decision must be fair, unbiased, and transparent.

Peer Review & Editorial Process
What type of peer review system does STM Journals follow?

TM Journals follows a double-blind peer review system, where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. This ensures impartiality and eliminates bias, allowing for objective and constructive feedback on manuscripts. You can read more about this process in our

🔗 Read the Peer Review Policy Here

How does STM Journals ensure the integrity of the peer review process?

The integrity of the peer review process is maintained through the use of qualified reviewers, strict adherence to double-blind review standards, and ethical guidelines that prevent conflicts of interest. Editors oversee the process to ensure that reviews are fair, thorough, and unbiased.

What is an editor’s role in managing the peer review process?

Editors are responsible for selecting appropriate reviewers, ensuring timely reviews, and making editorial decisions based on the feedback received. They must ensure that the review process is fair, unbiased, and maintains academic integrity.

Ethical Guidelines and Integrity
What ethical standards must editors follow?

Editors must adhere to ethical guidelines set by STM Journals, including ensuring that manuscripts are original, maintaining confidentiality, managing conflicts of interest, and addressing issues of research misconduct (such as plagiarism). STM Journals follows COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) standards, which can be reviewed in our Publication Ethics and Virtue page

How does STM Journals handle plagiarism in submissions?

Editors must check for plagiarism using appropriate tools. If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript is rejected, and appropriate actions are taken in accordance with the journal’s Plagiarism Policy. Authors are expected to submit original work, and any ethical concerns are addressed according to STM Journals' guidelines.

What should an editor do if they suspect misconduct in a manuscript?

If misconduct is suspected (such as data manipulation or authorship disputes), editors should follow STM Journals’ research misconduct procedures. This may include contacting the authors for clarification, consulting with other experts, and following appropriate action, as outlined in the Publication Ethics and Virtue page

Editorial Decision-Making
What factors influence an editor’s decision to accept or reject a manuscript?

Editors base their decisions on the manuscript’s academic quality, originality, relevance to the journal’s scope, and the feedback provided by peer reviewers. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s standards or lack novelty may be rejected.

Can editors make changes to the manuscript’s title or abstract?

Yes, editors may suggest changes to the title, abstract, and keywords to improve clarity, accuracy, and relevance to the journal’s target audience.

How are revisions handled in the editorial process?

When a manuscript is revised, editors ensure that the authors have addressed all the reviewer comments thoroughly. Editors will review the revised manuscript to ensure that necessary improvements have been made and will either approve the revision or request further changes.

What happens if an editor breaches confidentiality?

Breaching confidentiality could result in disciplinary action, including removal from the editorial board. Editors must protect the confidentiality of authors, reviewers, and unpublished manuscripts.

Conflict of Interest and Transparency
How should editors handle conflicts of interest?

Editors must declare any conflicts of interest that may affect their impartiality. If a conflict of interest arises (e.g., personal or financial ties with the author), the editor must recuse themselves from handling the manuscript. This ensures fairness and transparency in the editorial process.

Can editors publish in the journals they manage?

Editors are discouraged from publishing in the journal they manage, as this may present a conflict of interest. If publishing in the journal is necessary, full transparency and disclosure must be maintained.

How should editors handle submissions from authors they know personally?

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts from colleagues, friends, or relatives to avoid conflicts of interest. An independent editor should be assigned to review such submissions.

Post-Publication and Ethical Issues
What is the process for manuscript retractions?

If a manuscript is found to contain significant errors or ethical issues after publication, it may be retracted. Editors follow the COPE Retraction Guidelines and work with the author(s) and publisher to issue a formal retraction notice.

How do editors handle complaints or appeals from authors?

Editors should address any complaints or appeals from authors promptly and fairly. If an author disagrees with the editorial decision, they may appeal, and the editor should provide a transparent explanation or reconsideration based on the manuscript’s merits.

What should an editor do if they are unsure about a manuscript’s ethical issues?

Editors should consult with the editorial board or external experts for advice. If necessary, they can seek guidance from relevant professional organizations to ensure proper handling of ethical concerns.

Tools and Technology for Editors
What tools do editors use to manage manuscript submissions?

Editors use manuscript management systems, such as the Manuscript Engine portal, to manage submissions, track peer reviews, and communicate with authors and reviewers. Editors are trained to use the system to ensure smooth processing and tracking of submissions.

How can editors collaborate with guest editors or special issue coordinators?

Editors should work closely with guest editors or special issue coordinators to ensure that submissions meet the journal's standards. Communication and clear timelines are crucial to maintaining workflow.

Reviewer Selection and Responsibilities
How do editors manage reviewer selection?

Editors select reviewers based on their expertise in the manuscript’s subject area, their reputation in the field, and their ability to provide objective, constructive feedback. The aim is to ensure a fair and unbiased review process.

How do editors ensure timely reviews?

Editors set clear deadlines for reviewers and follow up if reviews are delayed. If a reviewer cannot meet the deadline, an alternative reviewer is assigned to avoid delays in the decision-making process.

Manuscript Formatting and Submission
How does STM Journals ensure consistent manuscript formatting?

Editors ensure that submitted manuscripts adhere to the journal’s formatting guidelines, which include specific instructions on manuscript structure, citation style (Vancouver), and image quality. Authors are instructed to follow the guidelines outlined in the Author Guidelines

Can an editor request additional information or materials from authors?

Yes, if necessary, editors may request additional materials, such as data sets, supplementary figures, or clarification on methodology, to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the manuscript.

How does STM Journals ensure timely publication of accepted articles?

Editors monitor the publication pipeline closely, ensuring that articles go through copyediting, typesetting, and proofing efficiently. They also track the status of articles to meet deadlines

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