Peer Review Ethics

Overview

Veridion Press is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in peer review. Ethical peer review is essential to ensuring fairness, objectivity, transparency, and trust in scholarly publishing.

This policy defines the ethical principles, responsibilities, and conduct expected of reviewers, editors, and authors involved in the peer-review process across all Veridion Press publications, including journals, books, edited volumes, and conference proceedings.

Core Principles of Ethical Peer Review

Peer review at Veridion Press is governed by the following principles:

  • Fairness and impartiality
  • Confidentiality
  • Transparency and accountability
  • Integrity and respect for the scholarly record
  • Independence from personal, institutional, or financial influence

All participants in the peer-review process are expected to uphold these principles at all times.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Definition of Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest occurs when personal, professional, financial, or institutional relationships could influence—or reasonably be perceived to influence—the objectivity of peer review or editorial decision-making.

Reviewer Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment.

Conflicts may include, but are not limited to:

  • Personal or professional relationships with the author(s)
  • Current or recent collaboration with the author(s)
  • Employment at the same institution as the author(s)
  • Financial interests related to the research
  • Competitive, adversarial, or supervisory relationships

If a conflict exists, reviewers must decline the review invitation.

Editor Conflict of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists. In such cases, editorial responsibility is reassigned to an independent editor.

Author Disclosure

Authors are required to disclose all relevant conflicts of interest at submission. Failure to disclose conflicts may result in corrective action, including retraction.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and integrity of scholarly publishing. By accepting a review invitation, reviewers agree to uphold the following responsibilities.

Objectivity and Fairness

Reviewers must:

  • Evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit
  • Apply consistent and unbiased standards
  • Avoid personal criticism or discriminatory language
  • Respect diverse research approaches and perspectives

Confidentiality

Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents.

Reviewers must not:

  • Share manuscripts without editorial permission
  • Discuss the manuscript with third parties
  • Use unpublished information for personal or professional advantage

Confidentiality obligations continue even after the review process concludes.

Constructive and Professional Feedback

Reviewer comments should:

  • Be clear, specific, and evidence-based
  • Distinguish between major and minor issues
  • Provide guidance aimed at improving the manuscript
  • Be respectful and professional in tone

Comments intended only for editors should be clearly separated from those shared with authors.

Timeliness

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Accept review invitations only when able to meet deadlines
  • Submit reviews within the agreed timeframe
  • Inform the editorial office promptly if delays arise

Ethical Vigilance

Reviewers should alert editors to:

  • Suspected plagiarism or text overlap
  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Ethical approval or consent concerns
  • Duplicate or redundant publication
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

Such concerns should be reported confidentially.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for ensuring that peer review is conducted ethically and fairly.

Editors must:

  • Select qualified and independent reviewers
  • Maintain confidentiality throughout the process
  • Make decisions based solely on scholarly merit
  • Manage conflicts of interest transparently
  • Address ethical concerns promptly and fairly

Editors must maintain editorial independence from commercial or institutional pressures.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors During Peer Review

Authors are expected to:

  • Submit original and honest work
  • Disclose conflicts of interest and funding sources
  • Respond to reviewer comments respectfully and constructively
  • Avoid attempting to influence reviewers or editors
  • Refrain from submitting the manuscript elsewhere during review

Authors must not attempt to identify or contact reviewers directly.

Peer Review Models and Ethical Compliance

Veridion Press may employ:

  • Single-blind peer review
  • Double-blind peer review
  • Open peer review (where applicable)

All participants must comply with the ethical requirements of the selected review model.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Peer Review

Reviewers and editors must not upload manuscripts or review materials to AI tools or external platforms that compromise confidentiality.

AI tools must not:

  • Replace scholarly judgment
  • Generate reviewer reports autonomously
  • Introduce data security or confidentiality risks

Any permitted AI use must remain limited, transparent, and ethical.

Handling Ethical Concerns and Misconduct

Ethical concerns related to peer review are:

  • Handled confidentially
  • Investigated fairly
  • Addressed in accordance with COPE guidance

Allegations of Reviewer or Editor Misconduct

Allegations of misconduct involving reviewers or editors may result in:

  • Removal from reviewer or editorial roles
  • Further investigation
  • Institutional notification, where appropriate

Due process and confidentiality are maintained throughout.

Appeals and Ethical Disputes

Authors may raise ethical concerns or appeals related to peer review by submitting a written request with supporting evidence. Appeals are reviewed independently and impartially.

Transparency and Accountability

Veridion Press promotes transparency by:

  • Clearly documenting peer-review procedures
  • Maintaining records of editorial decisions
  • Providing reasoned decision letters
  • Reviewing policies regularly to reflect evolving best practices

Alignment with International Standards

This policy aligns with:

Contact for Ethical Concerns

📧 Email: ethics@veridionpress.org