Editorial Responsibilities and Independence

When you engage with the editorial processes of the International Review of Public Policy and Administration, it is understood that all editorial activities are conducted in accordance with established standards of integrity, independence, and accountability.

Editorial Governance

The journal operates under a Single Editor Model. The Journal Editor has full and final authority over all editorial decisions.

Editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by:

  • Commercial interests

  • Sponsorship or funding sources

  • Institutional affiliations

  • Political or ideological considerations

The publisher, DSCHOLAR PRESS INTERNATIONAL, has no role in manuscript evaluation, peer review, or final decision-making.

All decisions are based on:

  • Scholarly merit

  • Originality

  • Methodological rigor

  • Relevance to the journal’s scope

  • Compliance with ethical standards

Editorial Accountability

The Journal Editor is responsible for the integrity, quality, and credibility of the journal’s content and processes.

The Journal Editor ensures that:

  • All manuscripts follow a documented editorial workflow

  • Editorial policies are applied consistently

  • Decisions are justified and recorded

Manuscript Handling

All submissions are subject to an initial evaluation.

Manuscripts that do not meet scope, quality, or ethical requirements may be rejected at this stage with appropriate justification.

Suitable manuscripts are assigned to independent expert reviewers under a double-blind peer review system.

Reviewer selection is based on:

  • Subject expertise

  • Academic qualifications

  • Absence of conflicts of interest

The final decision is made by the Journal Editor based on reviewer reports, editorial assessment, and ethical compliance.

Confidentiality

All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential.

The Journal Editor ensures that:

  • Manuscript content is not disclosed to unauthorised individuals

  • Reviewer identities remain confidential

  • Editorial communications are securely managed

Confidential information must not be used for personal or institutional advantage.

Ethical Oversight

The Journal Editor is responsible for maintaining ethical standards in the publication process.

The Journal Editor may act upon cases involving:

  • Plagiarism

  • Duplicate or redundant publication

  • Data fabrication or falsification

  • Citation manipulation

  • Ethical approval violations

Appropriate actions may include rejection, correction, retraction, or notification to relevant institutions.

Records of such actions are maintained.

Conflict of Interest

The Journal Editor must declare and manage any conflicts of interest.

Where a conflict exists, the Journal Editor will not handle the manuscript.

Editorial responsibility may be delegated to an independent and qualified reviewer or advisor.

Fairness and Objectivity

Manuscripts are evaluated solely on academic merit.

The editorial process does not permit discrimination based on:

  • Race

  • Gender

  • Religion

  • Nationality

  • Political beliefs

  • Institutional affiliation

All submissions are treated fairly and without bias.

Peer Review Integrity

The Journal Editor ensures that the peer review process is:

  • Rigorous

  • Unbiased

  • Conducted in a timely manner

Reviewer selection is monitored to prevent conflicts of interest.

Reviewer independence and anonymity are maintained.

Transparency

The journal maintains a transparent and auditable editorial system.

Editorial processes and decisions are:

  • Documented

  • Verifiable

  • Available for review where required

Information on editorial policies, peer review procedures, and ethical standards is made publicly available.

Records of submissions, reviews, and decisions are securely archived.

Complaints and Appeals

The journal provides a mechanism for handling complaints and appeals.

Complaints are acknowledged and investigated objectively.

Appeals are reviewed based on procedural correctness and supporting evidence.

The Journal Editor’s final decision is binding after review.

Editorial Integrity

The Journal Editor ensures that published content meets recognised academic standards.

Corrections, clarifications, or retractions are issued where necessary.

Journal Development

The Journal Editor is responsible for the academic development and visibility of the journal.

Promotional activities must reflect the quality and scope of the journal and must not be misleading.

Declaration

By implementing these editorial policies, the International Review of Public Policy and Administration (IRPPA) confirms its commitment to editorial independence, ethical publishing, and transparent editorial practices.

Version: 1.0  
Last Updated: 2026

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