Editor's Duties and Responsibilities

Terms of Reference / Duties and Responsibilities of Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editors, Managing Editor, Editorial Board, Editorial Assistant

 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

  • Editor qualities and skills
    • Is able to demonstrate experience and broad knowledge of the fields covered by the journal; identify when required knowledge/skill exceeds their competency level and seek help or advice; possess knowledge base that includes training/experience in research environments
    • Is able to synthesize information and views from a wide range of sources and makes informed decisions; exercise sound judgement in making fast, considered editorial decisions about manuscripts/any other issues requiring a response; reconsider decisions when necessary and respond promptly to complaints
    • Is able to practice lifelong learning related to their role as an editor and within their area(s) of expertise; set personal goals and work to fulfill them; maintain current knowledge related to important developments and trends in their area(s) of expertise; join a professional society for editors / participate in continuing education offerings for editors
    • Is able to communicate clearly and effectively manage communications and relationships with authors, peer reviewers, other editors, staff, readers, journal owners, publishers, and other relevant individuals or groups; provide clear instructions to authors & reviewers; ensure appropriate & effective communication (correspondence, email, social media); describe roles & responsibilities of editorial staff; mentors, educates, trains, and provide feedback to other editors & staff
    • is able to act with leadership and integrity and is accountable to authors, peer reviewers, fellow editors, readers, journal owners, publishers, and other relevant individuals and groups; demonstrate skill, tact, diplomacy, confidentiality & professionalism in interactions w/ authors, reviewers, readers, staff and others (particularly concerns or disputes regarding peer review / publication process).

 

  • Publication ethics and research integrity
    • Is able to demonstrate knowledge related to the integrity of research and publishing and apply best practices in dealing with research or publication misconduct, misbehaviour, and questionable practices: (publication ethics, misconduct & errata, retractions; selective reporting (publications, outcomes, analyses); COI for authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, funders vs. types of articles & effective disclosure policies; redundant & duplicate submissions / publications; bias in reporting, interpretation, extrapolation; reproducibility, data availability & registration of trials, reviews, protocols; adherence to appropriate reporting guidelines; post publication dialogue & contestation; confidentiality & anonymity in peer review and editorial processes)
    • Is able to identify and uphold the principles of ethical research involving humans and animals when appraising manuscripts; ensure laws & ethical standards are followed (respect privacy, informed consent, data protection, IRB issues); “dual-use research of concern” & biosecurity issues
    • Is able to articulate and apply their responsibilities and rights as a journal editor: copyright, licensing regulations, libel laws; editorial independence (journal owners / publishers); editorial integrity including fairness to authors, reviewers, readers; best practices for journal advertising policies; and disqualify themselves from editorial decision-making process when potential or actual COI pertaining to them arise.

 

  • Editorial principles and processes
    • Is able to identify and use trustworthy resources that describe best practices for scholarly publishing, publication ethics, technical editing for authors, editors, reviewers
    • Is able to select journal content that reflects the goals and scope of the journal: ensure submitted manuscripts align with vision & mission (aim & scope) of their journal
    • is able to analyze journal policies, practices, and performance metrics to improve journal performance: to interpret journal & scholarly metrics; ensure non-manipulation; ensure feedback from readers & metrics meet reader’s needs; analyze performance metrics (time from submission to decision, acceptance, publication) to reduce delays; can explain journal workflows & publication models
    • Is able to evaluate the scientific rigor and integrity of manuscripts and make editorial decisions after consideration of reviewers’ and other editors’ comments: (content of manuscripts for completeness, logic, consistency; appropriateness of research design & methods; and validity of findings & conclusions vs. research question; relevance of manuscripts to journal’s aims & scope; policies on authorship, contributorship, COI & disclosures, requirements for quality of reporting; clarity, balance, appropriate sources for recommendations on manuscripts; timely feedback synthesizes views of reviewers & editors; identifies critical points for improvements; triage manuscripts thoughtfully & in timely manner)
    • Is able to apply best practices for research and other manuscript presentation when evaluating and requesting revision of manuscripts: (different types of manuscripts; principles of research question/ hypothesis development; types & levels of evidence; principles of clinical research design; quantitative / qualitative research methods; appropriateness & use of basic statistics; presentation of research data; parts, purposes & characteristics of tables, charts, graphs, images, multimedia, data supplements; citations and references)
    • Is able to manage and assure the integrity of the peer review process: (describe different models of peer review; select appropriate reviewers; exclude reviewers with potential conflicts of interest; justify recommended manuscript changes based on reviewer comments & journal policy; provide tactful feedback to reviewers on performance; assess quality of / maintain performance statistics on, peer reviewers (avoid re-inviting tardy, poor reviewers); regularly express gratitude toward peer reviewers for their service).

 

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

  • Help the Editor-in-Chief plan and decide on articles and editorial content
  • Act as handling editor for submitted manuscripts within their subspecialty area; from evaluating manuscripts to supervising the peer review process, overseeing revisions, and recommending final disposition
  • Manage special sections assigned by the Editor-in-Chief
  • Check journal and web articles for legal and ethical concerns and consult with the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board on questionable items
  • Strive to attain Editorial Core Competencies

 

MANAGING EDITOR

  • Manages and ensures smooth operations of the editorial office
  • Supervises the editorial assistant to assure schedules and deadlines are met
  • Attends budget, planning and board of trustee meetings on behalf of the journal
  • Solicits advertisements for the journal and manages subscriptions and promotions
  • Helps the Editor-in-Chief with planning, decision-making, and representing the journal at official meetings and functions
  • Strives to attain Editorial Core Competencies

 

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

  • Act as ambassadors for the journal
  • Support and promote the journal
  • Advise the Editor-in-Chief on policies for and operations of the journal
  • Assist the Editor-n-Chief in actively encouraging submissions
  • Help the Editor-in-Chief identify future challenges for the journal
  • Exemplify Editorial Core Competencies

 

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

  • Assists the Editorial Board in the overall development of the journal by maintaining the online journal submission system, coordinating manuscript submissions and reviews, and maintaining all necessary records and supporting documents
  • Assists the Editor-in-Chief with journal operations and communications with staff, authors, peer reviewers, associate editors, publishers, printers
  • Oversees manuscript tracking, editing and reviewer schedules and makes follow-ups as necessary to facilitate operations and activities
  • Assists handling Editors with manuscript formatting, manuscript checklists and requirements, reference checks, and data verification
  • Maintains the reviewer database, assists handling editors in selecting reviewers, preparing and mailing material and monitoring deadlines
  • Ensures timely online publication of PDF and XML files for each issue of the journal, as well as submitting requirements to the National Library, HERDIN Plus, the WHO Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM), DOAJ, and, when approved; PubMed Central, MEDLINE, Scopus, and WoS/SCIE.
  • Assists with journal website maintenance, coordinating with the PKP OJS
  • Maintains the editorial office and coordinates editorial board meetings
  • Performs other journal functions that may be assigned by the Editors