Duties of Editors
Fair Play and Editorial Independence
Editors at the Journal of Soil Future Research (JSFR) evaluate submitted manuscripts solely based on their academic merit—such as significance, originality, clarity, methodology, and relevance to the journal’s scope, particularly in the field of soil science and sustainable soil management. These evaluations are made without regard to the authors’ race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, citizenship, religious belief, political philosophy, or institutional affiliation. Editorial decisions are made independently of government or institutional pressures. The Editor-in-Chief holds full authority over the entire editorial content and its publication timeline, ensuring the journal’s mission to advance the future of soil research is maintained.
Confidentiality
Editors at JSFR handle all manuscripts in strict confidence. No details regarding a submitted manuscript may be disclosed to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, or other editorial advisors, unless authorized by the Editor-in-Chief. This confidentiality ensures the protection of intellectual property and the integrity of the publication process.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Editors and editorial board members must not use unpublished information from submitted manuscripts for their own research without written consent from the authors. They should avoid handling papers in which they have conflicts of interest due to competitive, collaborative, or other personal/professional relationships with any of the authors or institutions. In such cases, they must recuse themselves and delegate the manuscript to another qualified editor.
Publication Decisions
Editors ensure that every manuscript considered for publication undergoes rigorous peer review by at least two independent experts in soil science or related fields. Final decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief, taking into account the reviewers' feedback, the manuscript’s importance, scientific validity, and relevance, as well as ethical and legal standards (e.g., on plagiarism and copyright).
Involvement and Cooperation in Investigations
In collaboration with the publisher, JSFR editors are committed to investigating any ethical concerns raised about submitted or published papers. All allegations of misconduct are taken seriously, regardless of when they are discovered. Editors follow the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) flowcharts and, when appropriate, publish corrections, retractions, or other relevant notes to ensure academic integrity.
Duties of Reviewers
Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Reviewers assist editors in making editorial decisions and support authors in improving their work through constructive feedback. Peer review is central to scientific progress and academic integrity, especially in a field as evolving and critical as soil science.
Promptness
If an invited reviewer feels unqualified to evaluate a manuscript (e.g., lacks specific expertise in a soil testing method) or cannot complete the review on time, they should promptly inform the editorial team and decline the invitation. This allows the editors to identify an alternative reviewer and ensures timely processing of submissions.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts received for review are confidential and should not be shared or discussed with others without explicit authorization from the Editor-in-Chief. This duty extends to reviewers who decline the invitation to review.
Standards of Objectivity
Reviews should be objective and constructive. Comments should be clearly supported by arguments and evidence and should help authors strengthen their manuscript—especially concerning its relevance to soil science, data integrity, and innovation. Personal criticism is inappropriate.
Acknowledgement of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant prior research that has not been cited, especially recent studies in soil research. If any overlap or duplication with other works is detected, reviewers should inform the editorial office immediately.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest and decline review requests if their objectivity could be compromised—such as due to competing research, close collaboration, or personal relationships with the authors. Unpublished materials in manuscripts must not be used for personal research or benefit without the authors’ explicit consent.
Duties of Authors
Reporting Standards
Authors of original research must present accurate accounts of their work and its results, with clear interpretation of the implications in the context of soil science and sustainability. Sufficient detail and references must be provided to allow reproducibility. Review articles and opinion pieces must be clearly identified and appropriately substantiated.
Data Access and Retention
Authors may be asked to provide raw data for editorial review and should be prepared to make such data publicly available when possible. Data should be stored for at least 10 years after publication, preferably through a subject-based repository, while ensuring legal and privacy protections.
Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must submit original work. Proper citations must be provided for any ideas, data, or text borrowed from other sources. Plagiarism—including direct copying or inappropriate paraphrasing—is unethical and strictly prohibited.
Multiple or Redundant Publication
Manuscripts must not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously or republished without proper justification. Secondary publication (e.g., translations) may be acceptable under specific circumstances if both journals agree and full disclosure is made.
Authorship of the Manuscript
Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant contributions to the research and manuscript preparation. All listed authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged, with their consent.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
All potential conflicts of interest—financial, institutional, or personal—must be disclosed at the time of submission. All sources of research funding should be declared, including grant numbers or project identifiers if applicable.
Acknowledgement of Sources
Authors must give proper credit to all sources, especially foundational studies or datasets used in soil science research. Permission must be obtained for use of any unpublished or private information.
Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects
If the research involves potentially hazardous materials, or human or animal subjects (e.g., field tests or soil exposure studies), authors must clearly state compliance with ethical standards and relevant institutional approvals.
Peer Review
Authors must cooperate fully with the peer review process, including providing raw data, ethics documentation, and revisions in a timely manner. Responses to reviewer comments should be structured, point-by-point, and submitted by the specified deadline.
Fundamental Errors in Published Works
If an author discovers a significant error in a published paper, they must promptly notify the journal and work with the editors to publish a correction or retraction. If concerns are raised by a third party, the authors must provide evidence of the paper’s accuracy or correct the issue accordingly.
Duties of the Publisher
Handling of Unethical Publishing Behavior
In cases of alleged misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, falsification, unethical research practices), the publisher will work with the editors of JSFR to take necessary actions. This may include corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions, depending on the severity of the issue. The publisher and editorial team are committed to upholding the integrity of the scholarly record and will take all reasonable measures to prevent misconduct.