Editorial Policies
JC upholds rigorous editorial standards to protect research integrity and reader trust.
Editorial Decisions Based On Merit
The editorial team evaluates manuscripts on scholarly merit, relevance to chromosome science, and methodological rigor. Decisions are independent of commercial considerations and are made to advance the quality of the research record. Editors apply consistent criteria across regular and special issue submissions.
Peer Review Standards
Scope And Novelty
Submissions must offer a clear contribution to chromosome biology or cytogenetics.
Methodological Rigor
Empirical work must report methods transparently and support reproducibility.
Interpretive Clarity
Theoretical arguments should be logically structured and well supported.
Editors may reject submissions that fall outside scope or fail to meet baseline quality before external review.
Decision Transparency
Editors document the rationale for decisions and provide clear, constructive guidance to authors. When reviewer recommendations diverge, editors may seek additional review or provide an independent assessment to ensure fairness.
Timeliness matters. Editors monitor review timelines and communicate delays to maintain a transparent experience for authors and reviewers.
Reviewer Confidentiality
Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers may not share, cite, or use unpublished findings for personal advantage. Reports should be respectful, evidence based, and aimed at improving the work.
Editors monitor for bias and may replace reviewers when conflicts or unprofessional conduct arise.
Authorship And Contributions
All listed authors must have made a meaningful contribution and approve the final submission. We encourage contribution statements to clarify responsibilities across conceptualization, analysis, and writing.
Disputes about authorship must be resolved before review can proceed.
Ethics And Compliance
Studies involving human participants or animal subjects must include ethics approvals, consent statements, and compliance details. When research involves sensitive cultural knowledge or community data, authors should describe governance and permissions.
Plagiarism, data fabrication, or undisclosed conflicts may result in rejection or retraction and can be reported to institutions when appropriate.
For clinical cytogenetics, authors must document diagnostic standards, patient consent, and any data anonymization steps.
Conflicts Of Interest
Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose financial or personal relationships that could influence judgment. Editors manage conflicts through reviewer selection or reassignment to ensure unbiased review.
Transparency protects the credibility of the journal and the research community.
Editors may recuse themselves to avoid perceived bias when necessary.
Research Misconduct
Allegations of fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or image manipulation are investigated by the editorial office. We may request raw data or institutional statements to verify concerns.
Decisions follow documented evidence and may include rejection, retraction, or notification of relevant institutions.
Data And Reproducibility
JC encourages data availability statements and deposition in trusted repositories. Where data cannot be shared openly, authors must explain restrictions and describe how qualified researchers can request access.
Clear documentation of methods and materials is essential to support verification and reuse.
For imaging or sequencing datasets, include repository links, accession numbers, and version details to ensure data can be traced accurately.
Citation And Attribution Ethics
References should be relevant and balanced, avoiding coercive or inappropriate citation practices. Editors and reviewers must not request citations solely to increase metrics.
Proper citation of primary sources strengthens scholarship and prevents misrepresentation of prior work.
Use Of AI Tools
Authors may use language or analysis tools responsibly, but they remain fully accountable for originality, accuracy, and ethical compliance. Any use that materially affects the manuscript should be disclosed.
AI tools must not be listed as authors and should not compromise participant privacy or data security.
Corrections And Retractions
If errors are identified after publication, the editorial office will review the issue and determine appropriate action. Corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions are issued to preserve the accuracy of the scholarly record.
Authors are expected to cooperate promptly during investigations.
Appeals And Complaints
Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a clear rationale and supporting evidence. Appeals are assessed by senior editors or independent advisors when needed.
Complaints about editorial conduct are reviewed objectively and handled in a confidential manner.
Appeals should focus on substantive issues such as errors of fact, methodological misunderstandings, or overlooked evidence. Disagreement alone is not a basis for reversal.
Questions About Our Policies?
Contact the editorial office for clarification on ethics, peer review, or publication standards.
