Editor Selection Policy

Editor Selection Policy for the International Journal of Dental Discovery and Research (IJDDR)

Purpose

The International Journal of Dental Discovery and Research (IJDDR) is dedicated to disseminating high-quality, original research and advancements in the fields of dental sciences, oral health, and related interdisciplinary areas. The selection of competent, experienced, and knowledgeable editors is essential to maintaining the journal's academic integrity, ensuring a rigorous and fair peer-review process, and upholding high standards of scholarly publishing.

Editorial Board Composition

The Editorial Board of the International Journal of Dental Discovery and Research (IJDDR) shall consist of qualified and distinguished experts, researchers, academicians, dental professionals, and clinicians representing diverse areas of dental and oral health sciences.

Board members are expected to have an established academic or professional profile, a strong record of scholarly publications, and recognized contributions to their respective areas of expertise.

Editor Selection Criteria

The process of selecting editors for IJDDR will be conducted carefully and transparently, taking into consideration the following criteria: 

a. Expertise

Prospective editors should possess demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of dentistry, oral health sciences, or related allied disciplines. Their knowledge should reflect current developments, research methodologies, clinical practices, and emerging trends within their respective fields.

b. Professional Experience

Candidates should preferably have substantial experience in academic, clinical, research, or editorial activities. Previous experience as a peer reviewer, editorial board member, associate editor, or editor of a scholarly journal will be considered favorably. Familiarity with peer-review procedures, publication ethics, and academic publishing standards is desirable.

c. Academic and Professional Credentials

Candidates should possess appropriate academic or professional qualifications in a relevant field, such as BDS, MDS, Ph.D., DDS, DMD, or an equivalent qualification, depending on their area of expertise. Teaching, research, clinical, or postgraduate experience will also be considered.

d. Reputation and Impact

The professional reputation and contribution of prospective editors within the dental and scientific communities will be considered. Preference may be given to candidates who demonstrate ethical conduct, academic integrity, professional competence, and meaningful contributions to dental research and practice.

e. Editorial Contributions

Candidates with a record of constructive participation in scholarly publishing, including peer review, editorial activities, improvement of manuscript quality, mentoring authors, and promotion of ethical publishing practices, will be regarded favorably.

f. Diversity and Inclusivity

IJDDR is committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and broad representation within its Editorial Board. Efforts will be made to encourage appropriate representation from different geographical regions, areas of dental specialization, genders, institutions, and professional backgrounds.

Selection Process

a. Nominations

The Editor-in-Chief and existing Editorial Board members may nominate suitable candidates for editorial positions. Qualified individuals may also be considered based on their academic and professional profiles.

b. Evaluation

Nominated candidates will be evaluated according to the established selection criteria, including academic qualifications, subject expertise, research contributions, publication record, professional experience, ethical standing, and editorial experience.

c. Review by Senior Editorial Team

The senior editorial team will assess the qualifications, experience, professional reputation, and potential contribution of shortlisted candidates to the journal.

d. Appointment

Final appointments will be made by the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the senior editorial team and the publisher, where applicable.

Term of Editorship

a. Editors will generally serve for a renewable term of two to three years, subject to performance evaluation, continued interest, and mutual agreement.

b. Editorial Board members may be invited to serve additional terms based on their continued commitment, professional contribution, participation in editorial activities, and adherence to the journal's policies.

Conflicts of Interest

Prospective editors must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence their editorial responsibilities or decisions.

Editors are expected to recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest may compromise, or appear to compromise, impartiality.

Code of Ethics

All selected editors must comply with the journal's publication ethics policies and uphold high standards of academic integrity, confidentiality, fairness, transparency, and professional conduct throughout their tenure.

Editors must not use confidential information obtained during the editorial process for personal, professional, or academic advantage.

Editorial Independence

Editors shall have appropriate editorial independence to evaluate and make decisions regarding submitted manuscripts based on scientific merit, originality, relevance, methodological quality, and ethical compliance.

Editorial decisions should not be influenced by commercial interests, personal relationships, institutional affiliations, nationality, gender, or other inappropriate external factors.

Reviewer Selection

Editors are responsible for identifying and selecting suitable, qualified, and impartial peer reviewers for submitted manuscripts.

Reviewers should possess appropriate subject expertise and should not have conflicts of interest that could affect the objectivity of their assessment. Editors should make reasonable efforts to ensure a fair, constructive, and unbiased peer-review process.

Continuous Professional Development

IJDDR encourages its Editorial Board members to participate in relevant professional development activities, editorial workshops, conferences, and training programs. Editors are encouraged to remain informed about developments in publication ethics, peer review, research integrity, open-access publishing, and emerging best practices in scholarly communication.

Performance and Contribution

The performance and participation of Editorial Board members may be periodically reviewed. Considerations may include:

Participation in editorial activities;

Timely handling of manuscripts and reviews;

Contribution to maintaining publication quality;

Adherence to publication ethics;

Support for the journal's academic development;

Contribution to the journal's visibility and scholarly reputation; and

Engagement with authors, reviewers, and the broader academic community.

Removal or Resignation

An editor may resign from the Editorial Board by providing appropriate notice to the Editor-in-Chief.

The journal may also terminate an editorial appointment in cases of persistent inactivity, violation of publication ethics, undisclosed conflicts of interest, breach of confidentiality, misconduct, or failure to comply with the responsibilities of the editorial position.

Review of Policy

This Editor Selection Policy shall be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure that it remains consistent with the objectives of IJDDR, accepted publication-ethics principles, and evolving standards and best practices in scholarly publishing.

By adhering to this policy, the International Journal of Dental Discovery and Research (IJDDR) aims to maintain a qualified, diverse, ethical, and academically strong Editorial Board while promoting excellence in dental research, oral health sciences, and related interdisciplinary fields.