Editor's Guidelines

Editors at ACEE play a vital role in safeguarding the journal’s scholarly quality, integrity, and global reputation. These guidelines outline responsibilities, decision-making protocols, and ethical oversight to support consistent and fair editorial practice.

Editorial Responsibilities

  • Evaluate new submissions for fit with ACEE’s mission, novelty, and scholarly contribution.
  • Ensure compliance with ethical regulations, including conflict-of-interest screening and plagiarism checks.
  • Assign manuscripts to suitable subject-matter reviewers—typically two or more independent experts.
  • Monitor review timelines and follow up to ensure timely reviewer feedback.
  • Make decisions based on reviewer reports and journal standards—accept, reject, or request revision.

Fairness & Impartiality

  • Apply double-blind review to prevent bias based on author identity or institution.
  • Recuse oneself from handling manuscripts where conflict or personal relationships exist.
  • Ensure every decision is grounded in academic merit rather than external influence.

Timeliness & Communication

  • Provide initial editorial decisions within 1–2 weeks of submission.
  • Coordinate peer review to ensure completion within 4–6 weeks.
  • Inform authors promptly if delays are anticipated or if revisions are required.

Ethical Oversight

  • Implement plagiarism and originality checks for every submission.
  • Investigate suspected misconduct—such as data fabrication or redudant publication—following journal ethics policy.
  • Manage corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions following established procedures.

Reviewer Management

  • Identify and invite qualified reviewers with relevant expertise and no conflicts.
  • Maintain a diverse and balanced reviewer pool—ideally including international perspectives.
  • Oversee confidentiality, ensure unbiased feedback, and handle reviewer misconduct if necessary.

Transparency & Appeals

Editorial decisions must be communicated clearly and respectfully. Authors may appeal decisions by presenting new data or substantive justification. Appeals are handled impartially by a senior editor or independent board member.

Editorial Board Collaboration

Editors collaborate with the Editorial Board on strategic initiatives—special issues, journal development, scope expansion—and maintain editorial independence while supporting collective journal goals.