Editorial Independence Policy

1. Policy Statement

Editorial independence is fundamental to scholarly publishing. Impaxon safeguards the independence of editors throughout the editorial process to ensure that publishing decisions are objective, fair, transparent, and free from inappropriate influence.

Editorial decisions are based on the quality, originality, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, clarity, significance, and relevance of the submitted work to the journal's aims and scope.

2. Editorial Authority

The Editor-in-Chief has primary responsibility for the academic content published within the journal. The Editor-in-Chief may delegate editorial responsibilities to Associate Editors, Guest Editors, Section Editors, or other authorised editors while maintaining overall editorial oversight.

Editors are expected to exercise independent academic judgment throughout the editorial process.

3. Independence from the Publisher

While Impaxon provides the publishing platform, editorial systems, production services, and administrative support, the publisher does not interfere with individual editorial decisions.

Acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts remains an editorial decision and is not determined by the publisher.

4. Independence from Commercial Interests

Commercial relationships, sponsorships, partnerships, advertising, marketing activities, or business considerations do not influence editorial decisions.

Editorial content is developed independently from commercial activities conducted by the publisher.

5. Independence from Article Processing Charges

Editorial decisions are made without regard to whether publication fees have been paid, waived, reduced, or are expected to be paid.

Editors involved in peer review and editorial assessment are not informed of payment status where this information is not required for editorial purposes.

6. Editorial Decision-Making

Manuscripts are evaluated according to the journal's editorial policies, peer review reports, ethical requirements, and academic standards.

Editors may request revisions, obtain additional peer review, consult editorial board members, or reject manuscripts where appropriate. Decisions are made solely on scholarly grounds.

7. Protection from External Influence

Editors should not be influenced by authors, institutions, employers, sponsors, governments, funding bodies, advertisers, professional organisations, or any other external party when making editorial decisions.

Any attempt to improperly influence editorial decisions should be reported to the publisher and managed according to Impaxon's publication ethics policies.

8. Editorial Conflicts of Interest

Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality. Editors should not manage manuscripts where personal, professional, financial, or institutional relationships could reasonably be perceived to influence editorial judgment.

Manuscripts affected by editorial conflicts should be reassigned to another qualified editor without competing interests.

9. Editorial Freedom

Editors are encouraged to promote scholarly discussion, scientific debate, and academic freedom while ensuring that published content complies with recognised ethical, legal, and professional standards.

Editorial independence does not remove the responsibility to comply with publication ethics, applicable laws, or journal policies.

10. Editorial Appointments

Editors and editorial board members are appointed on the basis of academic expertise, professional reputation, editorial experience, and their ability to contribute to the journal's scholarly quality.

Editorial appointments are not influenced by commercial relationships, political considerations, or financial contributions.

11. Publisher Responsibilities

Impaxon supports editors by providing publishing infrastructure, editorial systems, production services, ethical guidance, and administrative assistance while respecting editorial independence.

The publisher is responsible for maintaining policies that protect the integrity of editorial decision-making across all Impaxon journals.

12. Complaints Regarding Editorial Independence

Concerns regarding editorial independence, editorial conduct, publisher interference, or improper influence may be submitted in accordance with the Complaints & Appeals Policy.

Such concerns will be assessed fairly, confidentially, and without prejudice to any individual involved.

13. Continuous Review

Impaxon periodically reviews its editorial governance and policies to ensure continued compliance with recognised publication ethics guidance, scholarly publishing standards, and best editorial practices.

14. Changes to this Policy

This policy may be updated periodically to reflect developments in publication ethics, editorial governance, scholarly publishing, legal requirements, and international best practices.