Editorial policies

Launch preparation · Editorial proposals dated 25 October 2026. Public submissions are closed. Policies and article limits await scientific and publisher ratification.

Publication ethics and research integrity

The proposed editorial framework uses ICMJE recommendations and COPE guidance; this does not imply membership, certification or endorsement by either organisation. Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, undisclosed duplicate publication, manipulated peer review and misleading image alteration are unacceptable. Similarity or AI detector scores will never constitute a finding of misconduct on their own.

Concerns should identify the article or submission and the relevant evidence. An editor without a conflict will document the concern, seek a response, preserve relevant records and, when appropriate, contact the responsible institution. Confidentiality, proportionality and the opportunity to respond will guide the process. The journal may pause evaluation while concerns are investigated.

Data and reproducibility

Every research article must state whether data, code and materials are available, where they are deposited and any justified restrictions. Prefer repositories with persistent identifiers and durable access. Controlled access may be necessary for sensitive data. Availability is not a reason to disregard consent, data protection or community governance. Editors may request deidentified data or an independent audit using an agreed secure process.

Preprints and overlapping publications

Disclose all related manuscripts, conference abstracts, registry results and preprints. Explain overlap and provide copies where needed for assessment. Preprints may be considered, but must not be represented as peer reviewed. Update the preprint with the version of record link after publication when permitted. Do not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.

Corrections and retractions

Material errors affecting interpretation will be corrected with a dated notice linked in both directions. Concerns that remain unresolved may warrant an expression of concern. Unreliable findings or serious ethical failures may require retraction, with a clear reason and a persistent link to the record. Published material will not be silently replaced; withdrawal or removal will be exceptional and documented where legally and ethically possible. Authors and complainants will be informed of decisions.

Appeals and complaints

Authors may submit one reasoned appeal within 30 days of a decision, addressing specific methodological or procedural points and identifying new evidence. An editor uninvolved in the original decision will assess the appeal where possible. Complaints about conduct or process are separate from disagreement with scientific judgement. The publisher will handle complaints concerning the Editor-in-Chief with independent advice. Response times and outcomes will be recorded; reconsideration does not guarantee acceptance.

Sponsorship and editorial freedom

Funding, sponsorship and any future advertising will be disclosed and separated from editorial decisions. Commercial partners may not purchase acceptance, choose reviewers or prevent publication of unfavourable results. Sponsored collections must meet the same ethical and review standards as ordinary submissions.

Confidentiality and retention

Access to submissions will be limited to authorised participants in their assigned roles. Manuscripts and editorial records will be backed up with restricted access. A documented retention period, deletion procedure and disaster recovery plan must be approved before real submissions begin. Public article preservation is a separate obligation; no archival network participation is claimed until activated and verified.

Related policies: Artificial intelligence · Open access and licensing · Privacy. Sources: COPE Core Practices and ICMJE.