The editorial process is something that, for most publishers, evolved over time and ‘just works the way it works.’ We like to compare editorial due diligence as a kind of ‘spring cleaning’; something that you should do at regular intervals. Here are some ways Magknowlia could assist academic publishers with editorial due diligence: 

Editorial Standards and Policies:
We could help you develop or revise your editorial standards and policies, ensuring they align with industry best practices and the expectations of your specific scholarly community. This may include guidelines for authorship, data sharing, conflicts of interest, and the handling of corrections or retractions. 

Manuscript Screening:
We could advise on effective methods for initial manuscript screening to identify potential issues early in the process. This might involve using software to check for plagiarism, or checking that ethical guidelines have been followed in research involving human subjects or animals. 

Peer-Review Management:
We could help you establish robust peer-review processes to ensure manuscripts are thoroughly and fairly evaluated. This could include guidance on selecting and training reviewers, managing the review process, and making decisions based on reviewers’ feedback. 

Conflict of Interest Management:
We could provide guidance on identifying and managing potential conflicts of interest among authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure they don’t compromise the integrity of the published work. 

Ethical Compliance:
We could offer advice on ensuring compliance with ethical standards in research and publishing. This might involve implementing procedures for handling allegations of research misconduct or providing training for editors on ethical issues. 

Data Verification:
We could assist in establishing protocols for verifying the authenticity and integrity of data in submitted manuscripts, such as checking that appropriate statistical tests have been used and that results are accurately represented. 

Retractions and Corrections:
We provide guidance on handling retractions and corrections in a transparent and accountable manner, following the guidelines set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). 

Training and Support:
We provide training for your editorial team to ensure they understand and can effectively implement all aspects of editorial due diligence. This would include ongoing support as issues arise and as industry standards evolve. 

By offering these services, Magknowlia aims to ensure that your editorial processes are rigorous, transparent, and in line with the highest standards of scholarly publishing.