The SCICONX Journal of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (JSCRM) upholds the highest standards of scientific integrity, editorial excellence, and scholarly transparency. Editors play a pivotal role in ensuring that every manuscript is evaluated fairly, reviewed rigorously, and processed ethically.

This page outlines the responsibilities, workflow procedures, and ethical requirements for Editors, Associate Editors, and members of the Editorial Board.

1. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are expected to:

• Maintain the scientific quality and editorial integrity of every manuscript processed.
• Ensure decisions are impartial, transparent, and consistent with journal policies.
• Protect the confidentiality of authors, reviewers, and unpublished material.
• Promote ethical research practices and adhere to international standards such as COPE, ICMJE, and WMA guidelines.
• Foster timely communication between reviewers, authors, and the editorial office.

2. Manuscript Handling Workflow

Each editor must follow the structured workflow below:

2.1 Initial Screening

Upon receiving a manuscript, the assigned Editor should:

• Verify that the submission fits the Aim & Scope of JSCRM.
• Assess the manuscript for originality, scientific relevance, and basic quality.
• Check for compliance with submission guidelines and ethical statements.
• Identify any potential ethical concerns, including:
  • Human or animal research oversight
  • Plagiarism or duplicate publication
  • Conflicts of interest

Manuscripts failing minimum criteria may be desk rejected with supportive feedback.

2.2 Reviewer Selection

Editors must select reviewers based on:

• Expertise relevant to the manuscript’s subject
• Proven track record of scholarly contributions
• Absence of known conflicts of interest
• Responsiveness and reliability

Editors are encouraged to use a combination of:

• Editorial Board reviewers
• External domain experts
• Young, emerging reviewers (with supervision)

A minimum of two independent reviewers must be invited for each manuscript.

2.3 Managing the Peer Review Process

Editors should:

• Monitor reviewer invitations and follow up with alternative reviewers when needed.
• Ensure reviewers’ comments are constructive, respectful, and scientifically sound.
• Evaluate the quality of reviewer feedback and request revisions to reviews when necessary.
• Maintain full confidentiality of reviewers' identities.

2.4 Editorial Decision Making

After receiving the reviewers' reports, Editors must determine whether to:

• Accept the manuscript
• Request minor or major revisions
• Reject the manuscript
• Seek an additional reviewer, if reviews conflict

Decision letters must:

• Clearly summarize the rationale for the editorial decision
• Provide authors with actionable guidance
• Maintain a courteous, professional tone
• Avoid personal or biased statements

All decisions should be backed by the manuscript’s scientific merit and peer feedback - not personal preferences.

3. Ethical Responsibilities

Editors must strictly adhere to ethical guidelines to maintain the credibility of the journal.

3.1 Conflicts of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts if they:

• Are co-authors or collaborators
• Share institutional or professional affiliations with authors
• Have financial or personal relationships that could bias judgment

Such manuscripts will be reassigned to an unbiased editor.

3.2 Confidentiality Protection

Editors must:

• Never share manuscript content outside the review process
• Ensure reviewer identities are not revealed
• Protect authors’ unpublished data
• Maintain confidentiality even after publication

3.3 Upholding Research Ethics

Editors should verify that manuscripts comply with:

• IRB/IEC approval for human studies
• Animal welfare regulations
• Informed consent requirements
• Stem cell and genetic modification ethical guidelines
• Data integrity and reproducibility standards

If ethical violations arise, editors must consult the journal’s Ethics Committee.

4. Communication Standards

Effective communication is essential.

Editors should:

• Respond to queries from reviewers and authors promptly
• Clearly communicate deadlines and expectations
• Notify the editorial office of delays or concerns
• Maintain professionalism in all correspondence

All communication must be logged in the editorial system for transparency.

5. Editorial Timelines

To maintain an efficient workflow, editors should adhere to the following timelines:

• Initial Screening: 3–5 days
• Reviewer Assignment: Within 7 days of submission
• Review Completion: Typically 2–4 weeks
• Decision after Review: Within 7 days of receiving reports

If delays occur, editors must notify the editorial office in advance.

6. Handling Revisions

For revised submissions, editors should:

• Ensure authors have addressed all reviewer comments thoroughly
• Return the manuscript to reviewers when needed (especially for major revisions)
• Confirm that changes enhance clarity, accuracy, and data quality
• Ensure no unethical alterations were made to data during revision

7. Post-Acceptance Responsibilities

After acceptance, editors must:

• Verify final manuscript files for formatting, clarity, and figure quality
• Ensure all ethical declarations and funding statements are correct
• Approve the final version before production
• Resolve any last-minute queries from authors or production staff

8. Editorial Conduct & Professionalism

Editors must embody the highest level of professionalism by:

• Treating all authors equally, regardless of background or geography
• Avoiding discriminatory or biased practices
• Maintaining academic decorum in all decisions and interactions
• Promoting a supportive and enriched scholarly environment

9. Editor Performance and Accountability

The journal periodically evaluates editors based on:

• Timeliness of manuscript processing
• Quality of decision-making
• Reviewer management efficiency
• Professional communication
• Contribution to journal growth and visibility

Editors demonstrating exceptional performance may be recognized or elevated to senior roles.

10. Contact & Support

For questions or guidance, editors may contact:

Editorial Office, JSCRM
Email : editorialoffice@sciconx.org
WhatsApp : +44 1528 360034

The SCICONX Publishing team is always available to assist with workflow, technical issues, or ethical queries.