Editorial Independence Policy

The Journal of Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (JATAFS) is committed to maintaining complete editorial independence in all aspects of its publishing activities. Editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of scientific merit, originality, methodological quality, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal's scope.

The Publisher, Novadex Publications, fully supports the independence of the editorial process and does not interfere with editorial decisions concerning the acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts.

This policy is consistent with the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and international best practices in scholarly publishing.

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1. Purpose

The objectives of this policy are to:

  • Safeguard editorial independence.

  • Protect the integrity of the peer review process.

  • Prevent inappropriate influence on editorial decisions.

  • Promote transparency and accountability.

  • Maintain public trust in scholarly publishing.

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2. Editorial Decision-Making

Editorial decisions are based exclusively on:

  • Scientific quality.

  • Originality.

  • Methodological rigor.

  • Clinical and academic significance.

  • Ethical compliance.

  • Relevance to the journal's aims and scope.

  • Reviewer recommendations.

Editorial decisions are never influenced by financial, political, commercial, institutional, or personal interests.

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3. Independence of the Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief has full authority over the journal's editorial content and publication decisions.

Responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing the editorial process.

  • Making final publication decisions.

  • Appointing editors and reviewers.

  • Ensuring compliance with ethical standards.

  • Protecting the integrity of the scholarly record.

The Editor-in-Chief performs these duties independently and without interference from the Publisher or any external organization.

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4. Independence of Editors

Editors are expected to:

  • Evaluate manuscripts impartially.

  • Maintain confidentiality.

  • Base decisions solely on scientific merit.

  • Declare and manage conflicts of interest.

  • Uphold the journal's ethical standards.

Editors must not allow personal, financial, institutional, or political considerations to influence editorial decisions.

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5. Role of the Publisher

Novadex Publications is responsible for providing administrative, technical, and publishing support to JATAFS.

The Publisher:

  • Supports editorial independence.

  • Does not influence manuscript decisions.

  • Does not interfere with peer review.

  • Respects the authority of the Editor-in-Chief.

  • Promotes ethical publishing practices.

  • Provides resources necessary for efficient journal operations.

The Publisher has no authority to override editorial decisions based on commercial or non-scientific considerations.

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6. Independence from Commercial Interests

Editorial decisions are completely independent of:

  • Advertising revenue.

  • Sponsorship arrangements.

  • Article Processing Charges (APCs).

  • Institutional affiliations.

  • Commercial partnerships.

  • Corporate interests.

  • Funding organizations.

Acceptance or rejection of manuscripts is never influenced by the payment or non-payment of publication fees.

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7. Independence from Authors and Institutions

All manuscripts are evaluated fairly regardless of:

  • Nationality.

  • Ethnicity.

  • Gender.

  • Religion.

  • Political beliefs.

  • Institutional affiliation.

  • Professional position.

  • Funding source.

  • Geographic location.

Every submission receives equal editorial consideration based solely on its scientific quality.

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8. Editorial Confidentiality

Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

  • Submitted manuscripts.

  • Reviewer identities.

  • Editorial correspondence.

  • Peer review reports.

  • Editorial decisions.

Confidential information will not be disclosed except where required by law or publication ethics investigations.

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9. Conflicts of Interest

Editors must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence editorial decisions.

Editors shall not handle manuscripts involving:

  • Their own research.

  • Close collaborators.

  • Family members.

  • Students or supervisors.

  • Current institutional colleagues where impartiality may reasonably be questioned.

  • Financial or commercial interests.

Such manuscripts will be reassigned to another qualified editor or the Editor-in-Chief.

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10. Editorial Accountability

Editors are accountable for ensuring that editorial decisions are:

  • Fair.

  • Transparent.

  • Timely.

  • Evidence-based.

  • Consistent with the journal's policies.

  • Free from external influence.

All editorial actions should uphold the integrity and reputation of JATAFS and the scholarly record.

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11. Protection from External Influence

The editorial process is protected from inappropriate external influence.

The following parties shall not influence editorial decisions:

  • Advertisers.

  • Sponsors.

  • Funding agencies.

  • Government bodies.

  • Academic institutions.

  • Professional organizations.

  • Commercial partners.

  • Authors or their representatives.

  • Members of the Editorial Board acting outside established editorial procedures.

Any attempt to improperly influence editorial decisions will be investigated and managed in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics Policy.

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12. Editorial Freedom

Editors are free to make independent editorial decisions concerning:

  • Manuscript acceptance.

  • Requests for revision.

  • Selection of peer reviewers.

  • Publication scheduling.

  • Editorial expressions of concern.

  • Corrections.

  • Retractions.

  • Publication of editorials and commentaries.

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

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13. Appeals Concerning Editorial Independence

Authors who believe that an editorial decision has been affected by inappropriate external influence may submit a formal appeal to the Editor-in-Chief.

Appeals should include:

  • A detailed explanation of the concern.

  • Supporting evidence, where available.

  • Relevant correspondence or documentation.

Appeals will be reviewed confidentially and independently, and appropriate action will be taken where necessary.

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14. Responsibilities of the Editorial Board

Members of the Editorial Board are expected to:

  • Support editorial independence.

  • Promote ethical publishing practices.

  • Respect editorial confidentiality.

  • Avoid inappropriate influence on editorial decisions.

  • Declare conflicts of interest.

  • Assist in maintaining the scientific quality and integrity of the journal.

Editorial Board members serve in an advisory capacity and do not override the independent editorial authority of the Editor-in-Chief.

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15. Responsibilities of the Publisher

Novadex Publications is committed to preserving the editorial independence of JATAFS by:

  • Respecting the autonomy of the editorial team.

  • Providing administrative and technical support without influencing editorial outcomes.

  • Ensuring that commercial considerations do not affect editorial decisions.

  • Supporting compliance with internationally recognized publication ethics standards.

  • Promoting transparency, accountability, and research integrity.

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16. Policy Review

This Editorial Independence Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued alignment with international publishing standards and best practices.

The policy may be updated to reflect guidance issued by:

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)

  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

The most current version of this policy will be available on the JATAFS website.

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17. Contact Information

Questions regarding editorial independence or concerns about the editorial process may be directed to:

Editorial Office
Journal of Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (JATAFS)
Novadex Publications

Email: editor@novadexpub.com

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18. Commitment to Editorial Independence

The Journal of Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (JATAFS) is firmly committed to maintaining an editorial process that is independent, transparent, fair, and free from inappropriate influence.

By safeguarding editorial autonomy and ensuring that publication decisions are based solely on scientific merit and ethical principles, JATAFS seeks to uphold the highest standards of scholarly publishing, strengthen public confidence in the scientific record, and contribute to the advancement of trustworthy, high-quality research in artificial intelligence, integrative medicine, biomedical sciences, and healthcare.