The editorial team of the Journal of Radiology and Oncology (JRO) plays a crucial role in upholding academic integrity, transparency, and fairness in scholarly publishing. These responsibilities are aligned with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the ICMJE.

Responsibilities of Editors-in-Chief

Provide overall leadership and uphold the journal’s vision and mission.
Ensure that editorial policies are followed consistently.
Oversee decisions on acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts.
Promote the journal’s global reputation and academic standing.

Responsibilities of Associate and Section Editors

Manage manuscripts within their subject expertise.
Ensure fair and timely peer review by qualified reviewers.
Communicate effectively with authors and reviewers.
Escalate complex cases (e.g., ethical disputes) to the Editor-in-Chief.

Responsibilities of the Editorial Board

Advise on journal scope and policy development.
Promote the journal in academic and professional communities.
Support the recruitment of high-quality submissions and reviewers.
Uphold the journal’s ethical and scientific standards.

Ethical Duties

Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
Prevent conflicts of interest from influencing editorial decisions.
Investigate and address allegations of misconduct transparently.
Publish corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary.

Editorial Decision-Making

Initial screening for scope, quality, and ethical compliance.
Assignment of reviewers with subject expertise and no conflicts of interest.
Consideration of reviewer feedback and recommendations.
Issuing clear, unbiased, and timely decisions.

Note: Editorial responsibilities are not limited to manuscript handling. Editors also act as ambassadors for the journal, ensuring credibility and fostering trust in scholarly publishing.

FAQs

Can editors reject a manuscript without peer review?

Yes, at the initial screening stage if the submission is out of scope, lacks originality, or fails to meet ethical or formatting standards.

How do editors ensure unbiased decisions?

By assigning reviewers free of conflicts of interest and basing decisions solely on scientific merit.

What happens if an editor violates ethical standards?

The Editor-in-Chief may reassign duties and report serious violations to the publisher or COPE.

Editorial Responsibilities