Guest Editor Guidelines
Peer-Reviewed · Open Access · Biological and Chemical Sciences
Guest Editor Guidelines
International Journal of Bio Sciences and Chemistry
Guest Editors play an important role in the editorial and peer-review process at the International Journal of Bio Sciences and Chemistry. In carrying out their responsibilities, Guest Editors are expected to maintain editorial independence, fairness, confidentiality, and academic integrity throughout the manuscript evaluation and publication process.
Editorial Independence and Impartiality
Every editorial decision should be based on the scientific and academic merit of the manuscript, including its originality, relevance, methodological rigor, reliability of results, and contribution to biological sciences, chemistry, and related research fields. Personal, professional, financial, or institutional interests must not improperly influence editorial judgment.
If a Guest Editor has an actual or potential conflict of interest involving a manuscript, they must disclose it and withdraw from handling the submission where appropriate.
Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest may arise from any personal, professional, financial, academic, or institutional relationship that could reasonably influence editorial judgment. Examples include:
A recent or ongoing research collaboration with an author.
A close personal or professional relationship with an author.
A direct supervisory relationship or institutional connection.
An unresolved academic or professional dispute.
A financial or commercial interest related to the manuscript's subject matter.
When a conflict of interest is identified, the journal will reassign the manuscript to another qualified and independent editor, where appropriate.
Confidentiality
All materials encountered during the editorial process, including manuscripts, reviewer reports, editorial decisions, and correspondence, must be treated as confidential.
Guest Editors must not disclose confidential information to unauthorized individuals or use unpublished research findings, experimental data, scientific methods, or other information for personal, professional, financial, or competitive advantage.
The Peer-Review Process
The International Journal of Bio Sciences and Chemistry follows a structured double-blind peer-review process, with each manuscript typically evaluated by two or more independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise.
Guest Editors are responsible for selecting appropriately qualified reviewers and ensuring that the review process is fair, confidential, impartial, and free from undue influence. Reviewers should have suitable expertise in the relevant areas, such as biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, biotechnology, chemistry, or related scientific disciplines, as applicable to the manuscript.
What Reviewers Assess
Manuscripts are evaluated, where applicable, on the following criteria:
Originality and contribution to the relevant scientific field.
Appropriateness of the research methodology and experimental design.
Validity and reliability of data, analyses, results, and conclusions.
Clarity, organization, and scientific presentation.
Quality and relevance of cited literature and references.
Compliance with applicable research ethics, biosafety, and other relevant requirements.
Editorial Decisions
Based on reviewer feedback and the Guest Editor's overall assessment, a manuscript may receive one of the following recommendations:
Accept
Minor Revisions
Major Revisions
Reject
Authors invited to revise their manuscripts should receive clear guidance on the required changes and a reasonable timeframe for resubmission.
Final authority over acceptance and publication rests with the Editor-in-Chief or a designated senior editor.
Publication Ethics and Misconduct
Guest Editors are expected to protect scientific integrity and uphold responsible publication practices. They should promptly report concerns involving plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication or falsification, authorship disputes, peer-review manipulation, undisclosed conflicts of interest, inappropriate use of artificial intelligence, or other potential ethical violations.
Concerns should be assessed in accordance with the journal's applicable policies and relevant publication-ethics guidance. Depending on the findings and circumstances, appropriate action may include rejection, correction, retraction, or other corrective measures.
Reviewer Responsibilities
Reviewers are expected to:
Maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and all review-related information.
Provide objective, constructive, and scientifically relevant feedback.
Disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Avoid using confidential review materials for personal or professional benefit.
Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe or inform the editorial team of any delay.
Responsible Use of the Editorial System
All individuals using the journal's submission and peer-review platform must act responsibly and comply with applicable editorial procedures. They must not manipulate the peer-review process, submit false reviewer information, access manuscripts without authorization, disclose confidential review information improperly, or interfere with editorial decisions or system operations.
Editorial Records
The journal may retain editorial and peer-review records for legitimate purposes related to editorial management, quality control, publication ethics, and recordkeeping, subject to applicable privacy and data-protection requirements.
Further information about the collection, use, and retention of personal information is provided in the journal's Privacy Policy.