Guidance for Editorial Board Members
IASSIST Quarterly (IQ) follows IASISST’s code of conduct, and the Committee on Publication Ethics’ (COPE’s) Core Practices. All editorial staff, editorial board members, authors, and reviewers are expected to act in accord with these guidelines and other applicable ethical standards. Board members are expected to comply with COPE’s guidance for Editorial Boards.
Duties of the Editorial Board
Ethical Oversight of the Journal
Appointments & Removals
Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure
Relevant COPE Guidance
Duties of the Editorial Board
The IQ’s Editorial Board is an advisory body. Its members are tasked with providing the editor(s) with feedback on such things as new journal policies or revisions to existing policies; proposed changes to content; proposed changes to hosting or journal platform; nominated candidates for the Editorial Board; consequences for particular incidents of plagiarism given the specific circumstances; or other matters on which the editor(s) request(s) input. The editor(s) may ask board members to undertake tasks such as researching policy options; recruiting new board members; recruiting reviewers; promoting the journal in their professional circles; or other journal-related tasks. Board members may serve as article reviewers during their term on the board but are not required to do so.
Ethical Oversight of the Journal
The Editorial Board ensures compliance with COPE’s guidance. The scope of the Board’s oversight includes, but is not limited to, policies on the responsibilities of the Board itself, editors and editorial staff, peer reviewers, and authors (including the publication agreement); publication on vulnerable populations; ethical conduct of research using human subjects; handling confidential data; data sharing policies; the journal’s business and marketing practices; etc.
Appointments & Removals
The IQ’s Editorial Board will be comprised of between six and eight members in addition to editorial staff and others in ex officio roles. The editor(s), with input from the Communication Committee Chair, will appoint/invite individuals to serve staggered four-year terms on the board, with no more than half of the group turning over every two years. IQ Board members will serve only one term with limited exceptions (e.g., if a Board member needs to resign before their term ends, a new member might be appointed to complete their term and serve a full term beyond that).
A board member may be removed from their position prior to their term ending for cause, e.g., in cases where the editors judge a conflict of interest is interfering with the unbiased performance of their duties, or for inability to complete the work of the board. Removal of a Board member may be made by simple majority vote of the rest of the Board. Disputes over premature terminations will be resolved by the chair of the Communications Committee.
Conflicts of Interest
Board members must disclose any and all conflicts of interest before they begin their term. A list of potential conflicts “should include [a] potential board member’s other commitments and roles involving journals, books, and societies that produce publications (e.g., membership of publication oversight committees). (COPE)” The editor(s) will determine if conflicts are acceptable or not by assessing, for instance, whether they will impair the ability of the board member to serve the IQ objectively; if a similar appointment will lead to over- commitment of the board member; or if the appearance of a conflict will damage the journal’s credibility. Conflicts of interest that would be of concern might include, but are not limited to, serving on the editorial board of another journal that competes with the IQ for content, or employment by or association with an organization that could be seen to attempt to influence the journal’s content.
