Confidentiality and Ethics

The Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (JNPR) holds its editorial team accountable to the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct. Editors are entrusted with sensitive information and play a critical role in safeguarding author, reviewer, and journal integrity. These principles are aligned with COPE, ICMJE, and OASPA frameworks.

Editorial Confidentiality

• Manuscripts under review must remain confidential documents.
• Editors must not disclose details of a submission to anyone except authorized staff, reviewers, or the publisher.
• Unpublished material must never be used in editors’ own research without explicit written consent from authors.
• All communications must occur through the journal’s secure systems to ensure traceability and transparency.

Ethical Handling of Submissions

Editors must act with integrity, ensuring:

• Objective evaluation of submissions without discrimination.
• Protection of author identity during double-blind peer review.
• Fair and respectful communication with authors, reviewers, and colleagues.
• Timely editorial decisions to support efficient publication.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors must avoid handling manuscripts where conflicts exist, including:

• Collaborations with the authors of the submission.
• Shared institutional affiliations or financial ties.
• Personal relationships that may bias decisions.

When conflicts arise, the manuscript must be reassigned to an independent editor.

Data and Reviewer Confidentiality

Editors must ensure that reviewer identities remain confidential unless explicit consent is granted for disclosure. Review comments must be shared only with the author and other editors as relevant.

Dealing with Misconduct

Editors are ethically obligated to investigate allegations of:

• Plagiarism.
• Fabrication or falsification of data.
• Unethical human or animal research.
• Manipulation of the peer review process.

All investigations must be conducted in line with COPE flowcharts, with clear outcomes documented and communicated.

Corrections and Retractions

If errors or misconduct are discovered post-publication, editors must coordinate corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Best Practices for Confidentiality

“Confidentiality is the cornerstone of editorial ethics; editors serve as custodians of trust between authors, reviewers, and readers.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What if a reviewer contacts an author directly?

This is a breach of confidentiality. Editors must remind reviewers to communicate only through the journal system and may reassign the review if necessary.

Can editors discuss manuscripts informally with colleagues?

No. Manuscripts should not be discussed outside the formal editorial process.

What happens if confidentiality is breached?

Breach of confidentiality may result in disciplinary actions, including removal from the editorial board.

How should editors handle requests for raw data?

Editors may request raw data from authors but must treat it with strict confidentiality, sharing it only with reviewers when necessary for validation.