Confidentiality and Ethics
A Balanced Framework for Editorial Integrity, Professional Discretion, and Ethical Compliance
Editors of Annals of Advances in Chemistry (AAC) are entrusted with manuscripts that are not yet public. They must exercise strict confidentiality, act with discretion, and ethically manage all content under review.
1. Manuscript Confidentiality
All manuscripts are considered privileged information. Editors must never share content with anyone outside the editorial or review team—unless authorized by the Editor-in-Chief.
2. Peer Reviewer Anonymity
The identity of peer reviewers must be protected at all times. Editors may not reveal reviewer names or affiliations, even after the decision is made.
3. Conflict Avoidance
Editors must decline assignments where there is a professional, personal, or financial conflict of interest. Transparency is expected at all stages.
4. Data & Intellectual Property
Editors must not use any unpublished data or ideas from a manuscript for personal or competitive gain. Ethical boundaries must be respected at all times.
5. Handling Ethical Complaints
If an ethical concern arises—such as plagiarism, data falsification, or authorship dispute—editors must alert the editorial office and follow COPE protocols.
6. Discreet Editorial Conduct
Editors should exhibit professionalism and discretion in all communications, balancing sensitivity with adherence to publishing policies and procedures.
Balance of Judgment and Compliance
Editorial duties often require a subjective understanding of complex situations—yet all decisions must be grounded in objective principles of fairness, transparency, and academic ethics. AAC supports editors with structured policies and COPE-compliant guidance.
Report Concerns or Ask Questions
For questions regarding editorial confidentiality or to report a breach, please contact:
[email protected]