Editorial Independence Policy

1. Introduction

The Journal of Global Research in Multidisciplinary Studies (JGRMS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of editorial independence, academic integrity, and ethical publishing. Editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of scholarly merit and are free from inappropriate influence by the publisher, sponsors, advertisers, funding organizations, institutions, or commercial interests.

Editorial independence is fundamental to ensuring the credibility, impartiality, and integrity of the scientific record.

2. Purpose

This policy establishes the principles governing editorial independence and ensures that all editorial decisions are:

  • Fair
  • Transparent
  • Objective
  • Evidence-based
  • Free from external influence

The journal is committed to protecting the autonomy of its editorial processes and upholding public trust in scholarly publishing.

3. Editorial Decision-Making

The Editor-in-Chief has full authority over all editorial decisions, including:

  • Initial manuscript assessment
  • Peer review management
  • Selection of reviewers
  • Acceptance or rejection of manuscripts
  • Requests for revision
  • Publication scheduling
  • Corrections
  • Expressions of Concern
  • Retractions

Editorial decisions are based solely on:

  • Scientific quality
  • Originality
  • Methodological rigor
  • Significance of the research
  • Relevance to the journal's scope
  • Ethical compliance

Commercial or financial considerations do not influence editorial decisions.

4. Role of the Publisher

Saanvi Publications provides administrative, production, technical, and publishing support to the journal but does not influence editorial decisions.

The publisher does not interfere with:

  • Manuscript acceptance or rejection.
  • Selection of reviewers.
  • Reviewer recommendations.
  • Editorial judgments.
  • Publication of corrections or retractions.
  • Editorial policies.

Editorial authority remains with the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board.

5. Independence from Financial Interests

The journal maintains complete separation between editorial decisions and financial matters.

Editorial decisions are not influenced by:

  • Article Processing Charges (APCs)
  • Waiver requests
  • Sponsorship
  • Advertising
  • Institutional funding
  • Commercial partnerships
  • Subscription revenue (where applicable)

Acceptance of a manuscript is never contingent upon payment of publication fees.

6. Independence from Advertisers

Advertising, sponsorship, or promotional activities do not influence:

  • Editorial policies
  • Peer review
  • Acceptance decisions
  • Editorial content
  • Publication scheduling

Advertisements, where accepted, are clearly distinguished from editorial content.

7. Editorial Board Responsibilities

Members of the Editorial Board are expected to:

  • Maintain editorial independence.
  • Make impartial decisions.
  • Declare conflicts of interest.
  • Respect confidentiality.
  • Promote research integrity.
  • Support fair peer review.

Editorial Board Members must not use their position for personal, institutional, or commercial advantage.

8. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

  • Maintaining confidentiality.
  • Managing peer review fairly.
  • Selecting qualified reviewers.
  • Making evidence-based editorial decisions.
  • Declaring conflicts of interest.
  • Recusing themselves when conflicts exist.
  • Protecting the integrity of the scholarly record.

Editors should evaluate manuscripts without regard to:

  • Nationality
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Religion
  • Political beliefs
  • Institutional affiliation
  • Seniority
  • Financial status

9. Editorial Conflicts of Interest

Editors must not handle manuscripts if they:

  • Are authors or co-authors of the manuscript.
  • Have collaborated closely with the authors within the previous three years.
  • Have financial interests related to the research.
  • Have close personal or family relationships with the authors.
  • Have any other conflict that could reasonably affect impartiality.

Such manuscripts will be assigned to another qualified editor.

10. Reviewer Independence

Reviewers are selected solely on the basis of subject expertise.

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide objective assessments.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Declare conflicts of interest.
  • Decline review assignments when conflicts exist.

Reviewer recommendations are advisory; the final editorial decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

11. Author Independence

Authors are free to:

  • Interpret their findings objectively.
  • Present results honestly.
  • Express scientifically supported conclusions.

Authors must not attempt to influence editorial decisions through:

  • Personal relationships.
  • Financial incentives.
  • Institutional pressure.
  • Inappropriate communication.

Any attempt to improperly influence the editorial process may be considered research misconduct.

12. Handling Complaints

Complaints concerning editorial independence may be submitted to the Editorial Office.

Complaints involving the Editor-in-Chief will be reviewed independently by the Publisher or an appropriately designated representative who was not involved in the editorial decision.

All complaints will be handled confidentially and fairly in accordance with the journal's Complaints & Appeals Policy.

13. Transparency

JGRMS is committed to transparency by:

  • Publishing editorial policies openly.
  • Clearly describing the peer review process.
  • Disclosing publication fees.
  • Publishing correction and retraction notices when necessary.
  • Declaring conflicts of interest.
  • Maintaining publicly available ethical policies.

14. Editorial Freedom

The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board have complete freedom to:

  • Determine journal content.
  • Develop editorial policies.
  • Select reviewers.
  • Publish editorials.
  • Publish special issues.
  • Correct the scholarly record.

Editorial freedom is exercised responsibly and in accordance with the journal's ethical standards.

15. Protection Against Undue Influence

The journal will not permit editorial decisions to be influenced by:

  • Political interests
  • Religious organizations
  • Commercial organizations
  • Funding agencies
  • Government agencies
  • Employers
  • Authors
  • Sponsors
  • Advertisers

Editorial decisions remain independent, objective, and evidence-based.

16. Policy Review

This Editorial Independence Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued alignment with international best practices in scholarly publishing and publication ethics.

Editorial Independence Statement

The Journal of Global Research in Multidisciplinary Studies (JGRMS) is committed to editorial independence. All editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of scientific merit, originality, relevance, and ethical standards. Neither the publisher, sponsors, advertisers, nor financial considerations influence editorial decisions.

Contact

Questions regarding editorial independence or concerns about the editorial process may be directed to the Editorial Office using the official contact information available on the journal website.