Editor Guidelines
Standards and responsibilities for JSN associate editors and editorial board members
Core Responsibilities
Associate editors shepherd assigned manuscripts through peer review, including evaluating submissions for scope and quality, identifying qualified reviewers with relevant clinical or research expertise, synthesizing reviewer feedback, and making informed recommendations to the editor-in-chief.
- Evaluate manuscript scope within 48 hours of assignment
- Identify and invite 3-5 potential reviewers with appropriate expertise
- Monitor review progress and send reminders as needed
- Synthesize feedback into coherent recommendations
- Communicate decisions clearly and constructively to authors
Ethical Standards
Editors must maintain strict confidentiality regarding manuscript content and reviewer identities. Any potential conflict of interest including relationships with authors or competing research programs should result in recusal. Editors should not use unpublished information for personal advantage. All decisions must be based solely on scientific and clinical merit.
Decision Making
Associate editors synthesize reviewer recommendations into editorial decisions. Decisions should reflect reviewer consensus while exercising editorial judgment on clinical significance and methodological quality. Decision letters should summarize key points, explain rationale, and provide clear guidance for authors on required revisions.
Timeline: Initial scope decisions within 48 hours. First-round reviews completed within 21 days. Communicate proactively about any delays affecting spine and neuroscience manuscript processing.
Reviewer Selection
Identify reviewers based on relevant clinical or research expertise demonstrated through publications in spine surgery, neuroscience, or related fields. Consider known conflicts and past review quality. Invite reviewers from diverse institutions and geographic regions ensuring balanced evaluation of manuscripts.
When authors suggest or exclude reviewers, consider requests thoughtfully while maintaining final authority. The goal is securing fair, expert evaluation serving authors and scientific integrity in spine and neuroscience publishing.
Training and Mentorship
JSN provides orientation materials covering manuscript management, decision guidelines, and communication templates. Senior editors provide mentorship for complex situations requiring nuanced judgment in evaluating clinical research. The editorial office supports editors throughout the peer review process.
Your service to JSN strengthens peer review and supports authors communicating spine and neuroscience discoveries effectively. The editorial office provides comprehensive resources and responsive support enabling confident, consistent editorial decisions across all manuscript categories.
Your expertise ensures rigorous evaluation of spine and neuroscience manuscripts. The editorial office provides comprehensive resources and responsive support for effective manuscript handling and decision-making.
