The Journal of Clinical and Translational Immunology (JCTI) relies on the dedication and expertise of its Editorial Board to ensure the highest standards of quality, integrity, and transparency in scholarly publishing. These guidelines are designed to help editors carry out their responsibilities effectively and in accordance with international best practices.

1. Role of Editors:

Editors are entrusted with the responsibility of: 

• Maintaining the academic quality and integrity of the journal.
• Overseeing a fair and transparent peer review process.
• Making independent and evidence-based editorial decisions.
• Safeguarding ethical publishing standards and addressing misconduct when necessary.
• Promoting the journal within the scientific and clinical communities.

2. Manuscript Handling:

2.1 Initial Assessment

• Evaluate whether submissions fall within the scope of JCTI.
• Conduct an initial assessment of the manuscript’s scientific merit, originality, and relevance.
• Ensure submissions meet the Instructions for Authors before initiating peer review.

2.2 Peer Review Process

• Select at least two qualified reviewers with relevant expertise.
• Ensure double-blind peer review is maintained at all times.
• Monitor the timeliness of reviews and communicate with reviewers when necessary.
• Provide constructive editorial guidance to authors based on reviewers’ comments.

2.3 Decision Making

• Make fair and unbiased decisions (accept, revise, or reject) based solely on the manuscript’s quality, scientific validity, and significance.
• Provide authors with clear, detailed justifications for editorial decisions.
• Escalate complex cases to the Editor-in-Chief when required.

3. Ethical Responsibilities:

Editors must adhere to the highest ethical standards in line with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines:

• Maintain confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts.
• Declare and manage any conflicts of interest.
• Take action in cases of suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, or duplicate submissions.
• Uphold research integrity by ensuring that all human and animal studies comply with ethical guidelines.

4. Communication with Authors and Reviewers:

• Treat all authors with professionalism, respect, and fairness.
• Ensure that reviewers’ comments are constructive, objective, and free of bias.
• Encourage open dialogue while maintaining the confidentiality of the review process.
• Keep authors informed about the status of their manuscripts in a timely manner.

5. Editorial Independence:

• Editorial decisions must remain free from commercial or personal bias.
• Sponsorship, advertising, or institutional influence must not affect the peer review or acceptance process.

6. Continuous Development:

Editors are encouraged to:

• Stay informed about advances in immunology and emerging trends in clinical and translational research.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the journal by suggesting special issues, thematic sections, and innovative content.
• Participate in editorial board meetings and collaborate with the publishing team to enhance journal visibility.

7. Contact and Support:

For any queries or guidance related to editorial responsibilities, please contact: editor.jcti@sciconxjournals.com