Editorial Policy Document

Editorial Policy Document
ATPBR Journal

1. Purpose

The ATPBR Journal aims to publish high-quality, peer-reviewed research articles, reviews, and other scholarly contributions in plant breeding and related agricultural sciences. The journal fosters communication and collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers by providing a platform for the dissemination of significant advancements and innovative research.

2. Scope

The journal covers a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Conventional and Molecular Plant Breeding – Research on traditional breeding methods and modern molecular techniques for crop improvement.
• Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering – Studies on the application of biotechnological tools and genetic modifications in plant breeding.
• Crop Improvement and Genetics – Research on genetic diversity, plant genetics, and methods for enhancing crop performance.
• Plant Pathology and Disease Resistance – Studies on plant diseases, pathogen resistance mechanisms, and strategies to develop disease-resistant crops.
• Agronomy and Crop Management – Research on agronomic practices, crop production systems, and sustainable farming techniques.
• Environmental Impact and Sustainability in Agriculture – Studies on the impact of agricultural practices on the environment and sustainable approaches to crop production.

3. Editorial Board Structure & Responsibilities

The ATPBR Journal operates with an independent Editorial Board, which consists of the following roles:

• Editor-in-Chief – Oversees the entire editorial process, makes final decisions on manuscript acceptance, and ensures the journal’s integrity.
• Associate Editors – Handle the peer review process, assign reviewers, and provide recommendations.
• Section Editors – Specialize in specific subject areas within the journal’s scope.
• Editorial Board Members – Assist in reviewing manuscripts and promoting the journal’s academic standards.

Editorial Independence & Decision-Making

• The Editorial Board operates independently to ensure unbiased decision-making.
• Appeals process: Authors can formally appeal rejection decisions with justification.

4. Ethical Standards

4.1 Research Ethics

• Research must comply with ethical guidelines and receive approval from the relevant ethics committees.
• Studies involving human participants or animals must include a statement of ethical approval.

4.2 Informed Consent

• Authors must obtain informed consent from all human participants.

4.3 Plagiarism & Research Misconduct

• Manuscripts must be original and free from plagiarism.
• The journal uses plagiarism detection software and follows COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
• Consequences of plagiarism: manuscript rejection, blacklisting of authors, and notification to institutions.

4.4 Image Manipulation

• No misleading image editing is allowed.

5. Submission and Peer Review

5.1 Submission Types

• Research Articles
• Review Articles
• Short Communications
• Case Studies

5.2 Manuscript Formatting

• Authors must follow the journal’s formatting and referencing guidelines.
• Language editing support is recommended for non-native English speakers.

5.3 Peer Review Process

• The journal follows a double-blind peer review process.
• Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent experts.
• Review timeline: approximately 6-8 weeks.
• Authors may be required to make revisions based on reviewer feedback.

5.4 Ethics in Peer Review

• Reviewers must maintain confidentiality and declare conflicts of interest.

6. Author Responsibilities

6.1 Authorship

• All co-authors must approve the final version before submission.
• Authors must provide their ORCID iD to ensure proper attribution.

6.2 Conflict of Interest

• Any financial or personal conflicts of interest must be disclosed.

6.3 Data Sharing & Transparency

• Authors must include a Data Availability Statement.

6.4 Funding and Acknowledgments

• All funding sources must be disclosed.

7. Handling of Research Misconduct

• Plagiarism, falsification, or unethical research will be investigated.
• Possible actions:
  • Article rejection or retraction
  • Blacklisting of authors
  • Reporting misconduct to institutions

8. Retractions and Corrections

• Corrections for minor errors.
• Retractions for serious ethical or data integrity violations.

9. Preprint and Prior Publication Policy

• Preprints on recognized repositories (e.g., bioRxiv, arXiv) are allowed before submission.

10. Post-Publication Engagement

• The journal provides platforms for post-publication discussions to enhance visibility and impact.
• Authors are encouraged to respond to critiques and engage in scholarly debates.

11. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Research and Publishing

• Authors must disclose any use of AI tools in manuscript writing.
• AI cannot be listed as an author.

12. Archiving and Digital Preservation

• The journal ensures long-term digital preservation via LOCKSS and CLOCKSS.

13. Copyright, Open Access & Fees

• Authors retain copyright but grant ATPBR Journal a license to publish.
• The journal follows an open access model with free access for readers.
• Article Processing Charges (APCs): Fees and waiver options are detailed on the journal website.

14. Journal Metrics & Indexing

• The journal aims to be indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, DOAJ, and PubMed.
• Annual impact metrics will be published.

15. Diversity and Inclusion

• The journal is committed to diversity in authorship, editorial board composition, and reviewer selection.
• Inclusive language should be used in all submissions.

16. Appeals & Complaints

• Authors may formally appeal editorial decisions.
• Complaints about reviewers, editors, or ethical issues will be handled transparently.

Conclusion

This Editorial Policy Document ensures that the ATPBR Journal maintains high academic, ethical, and editorial standards, while promoting transparency, integrity, and inclusivity in scholarly publishing.