The editorial team of Immunobiology plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity, quality, and scientific relevance of all published content. These instructions outline the responsibilities, ethical expectations, and operational procedures that Editors must follow to ensure a transparent, fair, and efficient editorial process.

The journal adheres to guidelines set by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), ICMJE, and SCICONX Publishing’s internal editorial policies.

1. Editorial Roles & Responsibilities

1.1 Editor-in-Chief (EIC)

The EIC oversees the entire editorial workflow and is responsible for:

• Ensuring the scientific quality and integrity of the journal
• Assigning manuscripts to Associate Editors
• Making final decisions on manuscript acceptance or rejection
• Guiding journal strategy, special issues, and thematic priorities
• Maintaining adherence to ethical and peer-review standards

1.2 Associate Editors (AEs)

AEs manage manuscripts within their expertise. Their duties include:

• Conducting initial editorial assessments
• Selecting qualified peer reviewers
• Monitoring the review process for timeliness and fairness
• Providing recommendations to the Editor-in-Chief
• Ensuring reviewer comments are constructive and scientifically sound
• Maintaining confidentiality and preventing conflicts of interest

1.3 Editorial Board Members

Editorial Board Members contribute by:

• Reviewing manuscripts in their specialization
• Promoting journal visibility and scientific outreach
• Suggesting special issues, strategic topics, or emerging fields
• Maintaining high ethical standards during manuscript evaluation

2. Manuscript Handling Workflow

2.1 Step 1: Initial Editorial Screening

Upon submission, the assigned Editor must:

• Verify if the manuscript fits the scope of the journal
• Ensure the manuscript meets basic formatting and quality standards
• Conduct a preliminary assessment for scientific merit, originality, and ethical compliance
• Check for plagiarism using the journal-approved similarity tool

If the manuscript is unsuitable, Editors may initiate a desk rejection with clear justification.

2.2 Step 2: Selection of Peer Reviewers

Editors must:

• Select 2–3 experts with relevant immunology expertise
• Ensure reviewers have no conflicts of interest
• Avoid selecting reviewers from the same institution as the authors
• Encourage diversity in reviewer backgrounds and geographic representation

Reviewers should be given 10–14 days to complete their evaluation.

2.3 Step 3: Monitoring the Review Process

Editors are responsible for:

• Ensuring timely reviewer responses
• Sending reminders where necessary
• Reassigning reviewers if needed
• Maintaining confidentiality of reviewer identities (double-blind system)

2.4 Step 4: Editorial Evaluation of Review Reports

Once reviews are received, Editors must:

• Assess the quality and depth of reviewer comments
• Evaluate whether the findings are justified, unbiased, and constructive
• Identify any inappropriate tone, unscientific remarks, or potential bias
• Determine if the reviews collectively support a clear decision

2.5 Step 5: Communicating Decision to Authors

Based on reviewer feedback, Editors may recommend:

• Accept with minor revisions
• Major revisions required
• Reject

Decision letters must be:

• Clear, respectful, and detailed
• Supported by relevant reviewer comments
• Free of personal criticism
• Structured to guide authors toward improving their manuscript

2.6 Step 6: Handling Revised Manuscripts

Editors must:

• Evaluate author responses and revised manuscript versions
• Confirm that reviewer concerns have been sufficiently addressed
• Decide whether additional peer review is necessary

If revisions are inadequate, Editors may request further improvements.

2.7 Step 7: Final Decision

The EIC makes the final decision based on the AE’s recommendation.
Editors should ensure:

• Objectivity and fairness
• Balanced consideration of scientific novelty and methodological rigor
• Adherence to ethical publication standards

3. Ethical Responsibilities

3.1 Confidentiality

Editors must maintain complete confidentiality regarding:

• Manuscript content
• Reviewer identities
• Author information

No manuscript details may be shared outside the editorial process.

3.2 Conflict of Interest (COI)

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts if:

• They have collaborated with the authors recently
• They are from the same institution
• They have a financial or personal interest in the work

Such manuscripts should be reassigned to another Editor.

3.3 Fair and Unbiased Handling

Editors must:

• Treat all submissions equally regardless of nationality, gender, affiliation, or background
• Base decisions solely on scientific merit
• Avoid influence from personal opinions or external pressures

3.4 Ethical Misconduct Handling

If suspected issues arise (plagiarism, data manipulation, ethical violations), Editors must:

• Notify the EIC promptly
• Request additional information or raw data from authors
• Follow COPE guidelines for handling misconduct
• Recommend withdrawal or retraction if necessary

4. Communication Standards

Editors must ensure:

• Timely communication with reviewers and authors
• Clear and respectful language
• Transparency in decision-making
• Provision of actionable feedback to authors

All communication should occur through the SCICONX editorial management system or official journal email channels.

5. Reviewer Selection Guidelines

Editors should prioritize:

• Reviewers with established expertise in immunology
• Researchers with recent publications on related topics
• Reviewers known for balanced, constructive feedback
• Diverse representation in terms of region, career stage, and specialization

Avoid:

• Overburdening the same reviewers repeatedly
• Selecting authors from competing or conflicted labs

6. Special Issues & Guest Editors

Editors may propose Special Issues focusing on topical or emerging areas in immunobiology.
Guest Editors must:

• Possess relevant expertise
• Follow the same editorial and ethical standards
• Avoid handling manuscripts from their close collaborators

All Special Issue proposals require approval from the EIC.

7. Quality Assurance & Journal Development

Editors are encouraged to:

• Promote high-impact research submissions
• Suggest improvements to streamline editorial workflows
• Participate in journal meetings and strategy discussions
• Identify emerging trends and potential thematic collections
• Ensure published content meets international scholarly standards

8. Editorial Conduct & Professionalism

Editors must uphold:

• Integrity
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Courtesy
• Objective scientific judgment

Any behavior that compromises the journal’s reputation will be reviewed by SCICONX Publishing.

9. Recognition & Benefits for Editors

Editorial contributions may include:

• Certificate of service
• Annual performance acknowledgment
• Consideration for promotion within the editorial hierarchy
• Priority for leading Special Issues
• Opportunities for involvement in SCICONX scientific events

10. Contact & Support

For assistance with editorial decisions, workflow issues, or ethical concerns: 
Email: editor.fib@sciconxjournals.com