1. Purpose and Role of the Editorial Team

The editorial team of the SCICONX Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research (JDAR) plays a central role in maintaining the scientific quality, ethical integrity, and academic reputation of the journal. Editors are entrusted with overseeing the peer review process, ensuring fair and timely decisions, and upholding the journal’s mission to advance high-quality research in drug, alcohol, and addiction studies.

Editors are expected to act with professionalism, independence, and objectivity in all editorial decisions.

2. Editorial Structure and Responsibilities

The editorial structure of JDAR may include:

• Editor-in-Chief
• Deputy/Managing Editors
• Associate Editors
• Section Editors
• Editorial Board Members

Each editorial role carries specific responsibilities but shares a common commitment to maintaining rigorous academic and ethical standards.

3. Manuscript Handling and Initial Assessment

Upon submission, editors are responsible for conducting an initial evaluation to determine whether the manuscript:

• Fits within the aims and scope of the journal
• Meets basic scientific and methodological standards
• Adheres to the journal’s formatting and ethical requirements
• Demonstrates originality and relevance

Manuscripts that are clearly out of scope, ethically non-compliant, or of insufficient quality may be rejected at the editorial screening stage.

4. Selection of Peer Reviewers

Editors should select independent, qualified, and unbiased reviewers with appropriate subject-matter expertise. In selecting reviewers, editors should consider:

• Academic and professional expertise
• Absence of conflicts of interest
• Prior review performance and reliability
• Geographic and institutional diversity where possible

Editors should avoid assigning reviewers with close personal, professional, or institutional relationships with the authors.

5. Oversight of the Peer Review Process

Editors are responsible for:

• Inviting reviewers in a timely manner
• Monitoring review progress and sending reminders when necessary
• Ensuring that reviews are constructive, respectful, and focused on scientific merit
• Evaluating the quality and usefulness of reviewer reports

Editors may request additional reviewers if reports are insufficient, contradictory, or raise significant concerns.

6. Editorial Decision-Making

Based on reviewer reports and their own assessment, editors may make the following decisions:

• Accept
• Minor Revision
• Major Revision
• Reject

Editorial decisions should be based solely on:

• Scientific quality and rigor
• Originality and contribution to the field
• Ethical compliance
• Relevance to the journal’s scope

Commercial considerations, personal relationships, or external pressures must not influence editorial decisions.

7. Communication with Authors

Editors should communicate decisions to authors clearly, professionally, and respectfully. Decision letters should:

• Summarize key reasons for the decision
• Include anonymized reviewer comments
• Provide clear guidance for revisions when applicable
• Maintain a constructive and supportive tone

Editors should encourage improvement and scholarly dialogue, even in cases of rejection.

8. Handling Revisions

When manuscripts are revised, editors should:

• Assess whether authors have adequately addressed reviewer comments
• Determine whether additional peer review is required
• Ensure that changes are scientifically justified and clearly documented

Editors may request further revisions if concerns remain.

9. Ethical Oversight and Research Integrity

Editors are responsible for upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. This includes vigilance regarding:

• Plagiarism and redundant publication
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest
• Inadequate ethical approval or informed consent
• Authorship disputes

Suspected ethical issues should be handled confidentially and in accordance with recognized best practices in scholarly publishing.

10. Conflicts of Interest

Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest related to manuscripts they handle. If an editor has a conflict (e.g., personal, financial, institutional, or collaborative relationships with authors), the manuscript should be reassigned to another qualified editor.

11. Confidentiality

Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts and associated correspondence as confidential. Information obtained through the editorial process must not be shared or used for personal or professional advantage.

12. Editorial Independence

Editors are expected to exercise full editorial independence. Editorial decisions must not be influenced by the journal’s business operations, article processing charges, or external organizations.

13. Timeliness and Professional Conduct

Editors should strive to:

• Process manuscripts efficiently and without unnecessary delay
• Respond to editorial communications promptly
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions
• Support a positive and respectful peer review culture

Timely handling of manuscripts is essential to maintaining author confidence and journal reputation.

14. Contribution to Journal Development

Editors are encouraged to actively contribute to the growth and visibility of JDAR by:

• Recommending high-quality submissions
• Identifying emerging research areas
• Suggesting special issues or thematic collections
• Supporting outreach to the global research community
• Promoting ethical and high-impact research

15. Training and Continuous Improvement

JDAR supports ongoing development of its editorial team. Editors are encouraged to:

• Stay informed about best practices in scholarly publishing
• Engage in training related to peer review and publication ethics
• Share feedback to improve editorial workflows and policies

16. Removal or Resignation of Editors

Editors who are unable to fulfill their responsibilities, who repeatedly fail to meet professional standards, or who violate ethical principles may be removed from their editorial role following internal review by the journal’s leadership.

Editors may also resign by providing reasonable notice to ensure continuity of editorial operations.

17. Contact and Support

Editors may contact the Editorial Office of the SCICONX Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research for guidance, operational support, or to raise concerns related to editorial procedures or ethics.