Editorial Independence Policy

1. Independence from the Publisher

JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research is published by the Philippine Association of Institutions for Research, Inc. (PAIR Inc.). While the publisher provides organizational and financial support, it does not participate in or influence editorial decisions.

The publisher commits to:

• Never interfering with editorial decisions
• Never pressuring editors to accept or reject manuscripts
• Never using the journal for political, promotional, or institutional interests
• Respecting editorial independence at all times

2. Basis of Editorial Decisions

Editorial decisions, including acceptance, rejection, revision requests, corrections, and retractions, are made with the assurance that they are based solely on scholarly merit and ethical standards, which aim to build trust with the audience.

3. Independence from Commercial Interests

• The journal does not currently accept advertising.
• Sponsorship arrangements do not influence editorial decisions.
• APC revenue does not affect peer review outcomes.
• Waiver decisions are independent from editorial decisions.
• No manuscript receives preferential treatment based on financial contribution.

4. Authority of the Editor-in-Chief

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

• Acceptance or rejection of manuscripts
• Reviewer assignment and editorial oversight
• Resolution of reviewer disagreements
• Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern
• Selection of editorial board members and associate editors

5. Editorial Board Independence

Editorial Board members are selected based on scholarly expertise, publication record, and professional standing.

• Board members serve in advisory and peer review capacities.
• Conflicts of interest must be disclosed.
• Editors must disclose conflicts of interest, including financial, personal, or professional ties, to ensure transparency and maintain trust in the editorial process.

6. Conflict of Interest Management

Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must disclose:

• Financial relationships
• Personal or professional conflicts
• Recent collaborations with authors
• Competitive or adversarial relationships

Identified conflicts require immediate recusal and reassignment of editorial responsibility.

7. Handling Submissions from Editors and Board Members

• Submitting editors are excluded from editorial handling of their own manuscripts.
• Independent editors oversee peer review.
• Standard peer review procedures apply equally to all submissions.
• No preferential treatment is provided.

8. Government and Funder Independence

• Funding agencies may not dictate publication decisions.
• Funding disclosures are required to promote transparency, ensuring stakeholders understand that funding sources do not influence editorial decisions.
• Government-affiliated authors receive neither preferential nor adverse treatment.

9. Transparency and Accountability

• Editorial board members and affiliations are publicly listed.
• Ownership and funding information are disclosed.
• Allegations of editorial misconduct are handled according to COPE guidelines, with a clear process for investigation to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Complaints are investigated fairly and transparently.

10. Reporting Editorial Independence Concerns

11. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board. Revisions are documented, and updated versions are published on the journal website.