Confidentiality and Ethics

Overview

The Journal of Addiction Therapy and Research (JATR) holds its editors to the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct. Editors are custodians of sensitive scholarly information and must uphold trust, impartiality, and discretion throughout the editorial process.

Scope of Confidentiality

Confidentiality applies to all materials and communications handled during editorial review, including:

• Manuscript content prior to publication.
• Reviewer identities and reports.
• Author information and correspondence.
• Data shared in confidence during review or decision-making.

No part of this material should be disclosed, quoted, or discussed with anyone outside the editorial team unless authorized by the Editor-in-Chief.

Data and Privacy Ethics

Editors must ensure that author and reviewer information is securely stored and used strictly for editorial purposes. The journal complies with GDPR and COPE Data Protection Principles to maintain privacy and protect intellectual property.

• Data is stored only for the duration necessary for peer review.
• Personal data cannot be shared with third parties without consent.
• Editors must use secure journal communication channels (OJS, institutional email).

Professional Editorial Communication

All communications between editors, authors, and reviewers must be conducted with professionalism, respect, and neutrality. Editors are responsible for preventing unauthorized disclosure or personal commentary regarding submissions.

Examples of prohibited actions include:

• Discussing manuscript details with non-involved individuals.
• Forwarding review reports to unauthorized recipients.
• Using confidential data for independent research without consent.

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality

Editors must not use confidential information obtained through manuscript handling for personal gain or advantage. Conflicts of interest must be declared and managed through reassignment to another editor. Typical conflict examples:

• Editor previously co-authored with the submitting author.
• Shared institutional affiliation or grant involvement.
• Competitive or adversarial relationship with an author.

Editorial Ethics and Conduct

Editors must conduct themselves according to the COPE Code of Conduct for Journal Editors and ensure fairness in all stages of review. Ethical expectations include:

• Making objective, evidence-based editorial decisions.
• Avoiding coercive citation or bias.
• Maintaining decorum in all written correspondence.
• Supporting diversity and inclusivity in editorial appointments.

Handling Ethical Breaches

When breaches of confidentiality or ethics occur, the following steps must be followed:

1. Immediate notification to the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher.
2. Internal investigation according to COPE procedural flowcharts.
3. Written warning, retraining, or removal from editorial duties for serious violations.

All cases must be documented for transparency and compliance.

Confidentiality Training and Certification

All editors and associate editors must undergo confidentiality and ethics training annually. This includes:

• COPE and ICMJE online ethics modules.
• GDPR data protection awareness sessions.
• Internal mock scenarios on conflict handling and privacy breaches.

Shared Responsibility and Oversight

Confidentiality is a shared responsibility among the editorial team, reviewers, and publisher. Editors should foster a culture of respect, discretion, and accountability by:

• Encouraging ethical awareness in the editorial board.
• Monitoring compliance through random audits.
• Reinforcing zero tolerance for data misuse or leaks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)