Boffin Access – Guidelines for the Editorial Board

At Boffin Access, the editorial board plays a pivotal role in shaping the scope, quality, and impact of each journal. The expertise and integrity of our board members ensure that published research adheres to the highest standards of scholarly excellence. To achieve this, we follow globally recognized best practices and ethical frameworks, including COPE and ICMJE guidelines.

All editorial decisions must be based on the scientific merit of the manuscript, the recommendations of peer reviewers, and its relevance to the journal’s aims and scope. Decisions must never be influenced by an author’s race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor unrelated to research quality.

Responsibilities of the Editor-in-Chief

• Define and regularly update the aims, scope, and direction of the journal in consultation with the board.
• Recruit qualified and diverse editors to strengthen the journal’s expertise and reputation.
• Oversee manuscript evaluation, ensuring fair peer review and timely editorial decisions.
• Develop and enforce editorial policies that align with international publishing standards.
• Encourage high-quality submissions and identify potential contributors and reviewers.
• Contribute editorials, perspectives, or invited articles to enrich the journal’s content.
• Actively promote the journal at conferences, academic meetings, and within research networks.
• Support the organization of special issues and thematic collections.
• Ensure responsiveness to new developments in the field, adjusting journal scope when necessary.
• Address complaints of misconduct transparently and make final decisions in line with COPE guidelines.
• Coordinate effectively with editors, reviewers, and the publisher to maintain smooth operations.

Responsibilities of Editors

• Demonstrate recognized expertise in their field, with a strong publication and research record.
• Actively participate in peer review and editorial processes with fairness and efficiency.
• Select qualified and unbiased reviewers for manuscript evaluation.
• Assess reviewer declarations for conflicts of interest and ensure transparency in decision-making.
• Escalate cases of suspected research or publication misconduct to the Editor-in-Chief.
• Encourage submissions from professional networks and promote the journal globally.
• Provide insights on emerging trends and advise the Editor-in-Chief on scope adjustments.
• Support the planning and execution of special issues aligned with their area of expertise.
• Uphold the reputation of the journal by ensuring ethical and scientific rigor in published work.

Boffin Access – Code of Conduct for Editorial Board Members

All Editorial Board Members at Boffin Access are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical responsibility. By serving on the board, members agree to the following principles:

1. Commitment to Integrity

• Ensure all editorial decisions are based solely on scientific merit, originality, and relevance.
• Avoid bias or discrimination based on an author’s race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or institutional affiliation.
• Act in accordance with COPE and ICMJE guidelines on publication ethics.

2. Confidentiality & Transparency

• Treat submitted manuscripts and reviewer comments as strictly confidential.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, or personal) that may affect decision-making.
• Promote transparency in the peer review process while protecting reviewer and author privacy.

3. Professional Responsibilities

• Provide timely, constructive, and unbiased editorial decisions.
• Encourage diversity in authorship, peer review, and editorial contributions.
• Support initiatives for special issues, thematic collections, and emerging research fields.
• Promote Boffin Access journals at conferences, institutions, and within academic networks.

4. Handling Misconduct

• Report and address suspected cases of plagiarism, data fabrication, image manipulation, or unethical research practices.
• Follow Boffin Access’s retraction, correction, and erratum policies when necessary.
• Ensure authors are given fair opportunity to respond to allegations before decisions are finalized.

5. Continuous Improvement

• Stay updated with global best practices in scholarly publishing.
• Advise on new trends, technologies, and policies that can strengthen Boffin Access’s standards.
• Contribute actively to the development and long-term growth of the journal.

By accepting an appointment to the Editorial Board, members confirm their agreement to abide by this Code of Conduct. Failure to comply may result in removal from the board at the discretion of Boffin Access leadership.