Editors Guidelines
Editors manage scope screening, reviewer selection, and decision consistency.
Clear communication supports efficient author revisions and reviewer alignment.
Editorial Role
Editors ensure manuscripts align with journal scope and meet ethical standards.
Consistent decisions protect the integrity of blood pressure research.
Scope Fit
Confirm relevance to hypertension care
Ethics Checks
Verify approvals and disclosures
Decision Clarity
Provide actionable guidance
Core Responsibilities
- Confirm scope alignment and ethics compliance
- Select reviewers with appropriate expertise
- Provide clear decision letters and revision guidance
- Document rationale for complex decisions
Screening and Review
Initial checks include scope fit, ethics approval, data availability, and manuscript completeness.
Use at least two independent reviewers when possible, balancing clinical and methodological expertise.
Desk Decision Criteria
Editors may issue desk decisions when submissions fall outside scope or do not meet basic reporting standards.
- Scope misalignment with hypertension focus
- Missing ethics approval or consent statements
- Insufficient methodological detail for review
- Incomplete author disclosures or data statements
Decision Categories
- Accept with minor changes
- Major revision with clear required changes
- Reject with constructive rationale
Decision Letters
Decision letters should summarize key reviewer concerns and clarify required revisions.
Provide a short decision summary that highlights critical changes.
Ethics and Conflicts
Editors must disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when necessary.
Ethics concerns should be escalated to the editorial office.
Timelines
Editors should manage review timelines and communicate delays promptly.
Decision Consistency
Use decision templates and reviewer summaries to maintain consistent outcomes across similar study designs.
Consistent decisions strengthen author trust and improve review efficiency.
Reviewer Management
Invite reviewers with complementary expertise and avoid overreliance on a small pool.
Provide concise review requests and confirm availability before assignment.
Revision Oversight
Verify that all major concerns are addressed and that responses are complete.
If critical issues remain unresolved, request additional clarification.
Documentation
Maintain clear records of reviewer feedback, decision rationale, and key correspondence.
Consistent documentation supports transparency and future audits.
Conflicting Reviews
When reviews conflict, provide a balanced decision based on evidence and request additional review when needed.
Escalate complex or sensitive cases to senior editors for guidance.
Editorial Support
The editorial office provides guidance on policies, ethics concerns, and reviewer selection.
Join the Editorial Board
Share your expertise and help shape blood pressure publishing.
