Policies for Using the Online Publishing Tracking System Manager (OPTSM) in Editorial Management

1. User Roles and Responsibilities

• Authors: Must submit manuscripts in the required format and adhere to the publication’s submission guidelines. Authors are responsible for providing accurate information and responding to editorial queries promptly.

• Reviewers: Must maintain confidentiality, provide objective and timely feedback, and disclose conflicts of interest.

• Editors: Oversee the review process, ensure adherence to ethical guidelines, and make fair and unbiased decisions on manuscript acceptance or rejection.

• Administrators: Manage user access, ensure system security, and provide technical support as needed.

2. Submission and Review Process

• All manuscripts must be submitted through the OPTSM system following the prescribed format.

• Submissions will undergo an initial screening for completeness and compliance with submission guidelines.

• The peer-review process must be double-blind, ensuring anonymity between authors and reviewers.

• Authors may track the status of their submission through the OPTSM dashboard.

3. Confidentiality and Data Protection

• All user data, including author and reviewer identities, must be kept confidential.

• Personal data and manuscript details shall not be shared with unauthorized individuals.

• The system must comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR and institutional privacy policies.

4. Ethical Guidelines

• Manuscripts must be original and free from plagiarism. All submissions will be checked for plagiarism using reliable software.

• Any conflicts of interest must be disclosed by authors, reviewers, and editors.

• Editors must make fair decisions based on the merit of submissions, free from personal bias or external influence.

5. System Usage and Access

• Users must log in with secure credentials and should not share their login details.

• The system should be accessed only for editorial and peer-review purposes.

• Any suspected breach of security must be reported immediately to the system administrator.

6. Communication and Notifications

• All official communication regarding manuscript status will be conducted within the OPTSM system.

• Automated notifications will be sent for status updates, reviewer assignments, and editorial decisions.

• Users must ensure that their contact details are up to date within the system.

7. Technical Support and Maintenance

• Users should report technical issues through the designated support channels.

• Regular system maintenance and updates will be conducted to enhance performance and security.

• Users will be notified in advance of any scheduled downtime or major system changes.

8. Compliance and Violations

• Failure to adhere to these policies may result in restricted access or removal from the OPTSM system.

• Any violations of ethical or data protection guidelines will be investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken.

• Users may appeal any administrative actions taken against them by following the dispute resolution process outlined in the system’s guidelines.

These policies ensure the integrity, security, and efficiency of the Online Publishing Tracking System Manager (OPTSM) within an editorial management framework.