{"id":44,"date":"2025-09-02T18:28:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T18:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/academicsociety.org\/xe\/?page_id=44"},"modified":"2026-03-02T18:37:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T18:37:29","slug":"editorial-policies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/editorial-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"Editorial Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"44\" class=\"elementor elementor-44\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d22c168 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d22c168\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5415ab3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5415ab3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Editorial Policies<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4888d98 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4888d98\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-426de5a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"426de5a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51bc96b e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"51bc96b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-654544e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"654544e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Journal Information<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-581a7ed e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"581a7ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3228c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wp-widget-nav_menu\" data-id=\"e3228c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wp-widget-nav_menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"menu-left-sidebar-container\"><ul id=\"menu-left-sidebar\" class=\"menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-1169\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1169\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/about-the-journal\/\">About the Journal\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1170\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1170\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/aims-and-scope\/\">Aims and Scope<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1171\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1171\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/archives\/\">Archives<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1164\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1164\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/article-processing-charge\/\">Article Processing Charge<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1165\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1165\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/author-instructions\/\">Author Instructions<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1201\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1201\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/editorial-board-member\/\">Editorial Board Member<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1173\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1173\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/editorial-policies\/\">Editorial Policies<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1174\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1174\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/editorial-process\/\">Editorial Process<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1176\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1176\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/guest-editor-guidelines\/\">Guest Editor Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1177\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1177\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/online-submission\/\">Online Submission<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1179\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1179\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/publication-ethics\/\">Publication Ethics<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1180\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1180\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/reviewer-acknowledgment\/\">Reviewer Acknowledgment<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1200\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1200\"><a href=\"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/peer-review-guidelines\/\">Peer Review Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f1ff89 e-con-full toc e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5f1ff89\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b261a5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3b261a5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5d4418 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5d4418\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Content<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c86d46a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c86d46a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55102a7 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"55102a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#EditorialPolicies\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Editorial Policies<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#OpenAccessPolicy\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Open Access<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#CopyrightPolicy\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Copyright<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#CCBYLicense\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">CC BY License<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#EditorialFreedom\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Editorial Freedom<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#PeerReviewPolicy\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Peer Review Policy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#PeerReviewers\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Peer Reviewers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Authorship\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Authors Suggest Reviewers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#ConflictsofInterest\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Authorship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#ebgee\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-double-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34zm192-34l-136-136c-9.4-9.4-24.6-9.4-33.9 0l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l96.4 96.4-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-9.4 24.6 0 33.9l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l136-136c9.4-9.2 9.4-24.4 0-33.8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Research Ethics<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b54b34 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3b54b34\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2749769 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2749769\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"EditorialPolicies\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a5e9ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6a5e9ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Editorial Policies<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2e0abf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b2e0abf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da1ce00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da1ce00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><em>Frontiers in Environmental Biology<\/em> <\/strong>endorses and applies the standards and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), to ensure the rigor and integrity of its review and publication processes. These policies may be periodically updated to remain aligned with evolving international publishing standards.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c917d34 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c917d34\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"OpenAccessPolicy\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcf92d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bcf92d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Open Access<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e079ab2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e079ab2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The journal provides immediate open access to all published content. All articles are freely available without subscription barriers. Users may read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles, or use them for any lawful purpose, without prior permission from the publisher or authors, provided appropriate credit is given.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5896260 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5896260\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"CopyrightPolicy\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d52124d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d52124d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Copyright<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb08946 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb08946\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Authors retain full copyright and publishing rights for their work without restriction. By submitting to Frontiers in Environmental Biology, authors agree to make their original work freely accessible and reusable, allowing others to use, copy, and redistribute the content in any format provided proper attribution is given to the authors and the original source. A copyright statement is included in all published article formats, including HTML, PDF, and XML versions. Prior to publication, authors grant the journal the right of first publication by signing a License to Publish agreement. Authors must confirm in their cover letter that the submitted manuscript is original, is not under consideration elsewhere, and has not been previously published. A similar declaration is required during manuscript submission through the submission checklist. If copyrighted material such as figures, tables, or other content from external sources is included in the manuscript\u2014including reproduced, adapted, or modified materials\u2014authors are responsible for obtaining written permission from the copyright holder prior to submission.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-964193f e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"964193f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"CCBYLicense\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cf8a06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1cf8a06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CC BY License<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fa775c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6fa775c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Articles are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License.<\/p><p>Under this license, users are free to:<\/p><p><strong>Share<\/strong> \u2014 copy and redistribute material in any medium or format;<\/p><p><strong>Adapt<\/strong> \u2014 remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercial use.<\/p><p>Under the following terms:<\/p><p><strong>Attribution<\/strong> \u2014 appropriate credit must be given, a license link provided, and changes indicated if made.<\/p><p><strong>No additional restrictions<\/strong> \u2014 users may not impose legal or technological restrictions limiting permitted use.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1069491 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1069491\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"EditorialFreedom\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a52fe2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6a52fe2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Publication Fee<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83d41d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"83d41d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The journal may waive Article Processing Charges (APCs) during its initial development phase. Any future APC implementation will be announced transparently with waiver or discount policies for eligible authors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c147db e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8c147db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddc0be8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ddc0be8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Editorial Freedom<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-031dafa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"031dafa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The journal may waive Article Processing Charges (APCs) during its initial development phase. Any future APC implementation will be announced transparently with waiver or discount policies for eligible authors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8ce635 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a8ce635\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10660e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"10660e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Peer Review Policy<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a513e0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a513e0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><strong>Peer Review Model<\/strong><\/h3><p><em>Frontiers in Environmental Biology<\/em> adopts a <strong>single-blind peer review model<\/strong>, in which reviewer identities are kept confidential while author identities are known to reviewers. All accepted manuscripts, except selected invited editorials, undergo a rigorous peer review process to evaluate originality, scientific quality, methodological soundness, clarity of presentation, and academic integrity.<\/p><h3><strong>Peer Review Process<\/strong><\/h3><p>Each manuscript submission first undergoes an <strong>initial screening<\/strong> conducted by the Managing Editor and Academic Editor. During this stage, the Managing Editor performs plagiarism screening and checks whether the manuscript fits within the journal\u2019s scope and meets formatting and submission requirements. Manuscripts passing this screening are assigned to an Academic Editor after appropriate conflict-of-interest disclosures are reviewed. The Academic Editor is typically the Editor-in-Chief but may delegate this responsibility to an Editorial Board member, Guest Editor, or qualified subject expert when appropriate. The Academic Editor then evaluates whether the manuscript merits full peer review. Manuscripts considered unsuitable in quality or scope may be rejected at this stage without external review. Manuscripts that pass this evaluation are sent to independent expert reviewers. Peer reviewers are selected based on expertise and experience relevant to the manuscript subject. Reviewers assess submissions for significance, originality, scientific validity, clarity, and overall contribution to the field. Reviewers are normally requested to submit their reports within <strong>14 days<\/strong> of accepting the review invitation.<\/p><p>Each manuscript generally receives at least two independent review reports, including detailed comments and one of the following recommendations:<\/p><ul><li>Acceptance<\/li><li>Minor Revision<\/li><li>Major Revision<\/li><li>Rejection<\/li><\/ul><p>The Academic Editor considers reviewer reports and makes the final decision regarding publication.<\/p><p>Additional reviews may be requested in certain cases, including:<\/p><p>\u2605 When initial reviewer recommendations conflict;<br \/>\u2605 When the Academic Editor determines additional expert opinion is necessary.<\/p><h3><strong>Manuscripts Submitted by Editorial Board Members and Guest Editors<\/strong><\/h3><p>Submissions from Editorial Board members or Guest Editors are managed independently by other editors to avoid conflicts of interest. The submitting editor is excluded from all editorial decisions and review procedures related to their manuscript.<\/p><h3><strong>Processing of Special Issue Manuscripts<\/strong><\/h3><p>Manuscripts submitted to Special Issues must meet the same scientific and ethical standards as regular submissions. Both invited and unsolicited contributions undergo full peer review, except selected invited editorials.<\/p><p>The Editor-in-Chief maintains oversight of all Special Issue content and supervises Guest Editors to ensure consistency with journal standards.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6980482 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6980482\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"PeerReviewPolicy\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8452b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f8452b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Peer Reviewers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4238521 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4238521\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the scientific quality and credibility of <em>Frontiers in Environmental Biology<\/em>. Reviewers are carefully selected to ensure fair, competent, and timely evaluation of submitted manuscripts. Selection is based on academic expertise, research activity, and the ability to provide objective assessments of scientific work.<\/p><p>Reviewers are selected based on:<\/p><p>\u2605 Demonstrated expertise in the subject area relevant to the manuscript;<br \/>\u2605 Recent publications or active research contributions in related fields;<br \/>\u2605 Ability to provide fair, objective, and unbiased evaluations;<br \/>\u2605 Independence from authors and their affiliated institutions to avoid conflicts of interest;<br \/>\u2605 Availability and commitment to complete peer reviews within required timelines.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bf9211 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3bf9211\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"Authorship\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a344460 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a344460\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Authors Suggest Reviewers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6650704 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6650704\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Authors are welcome to suggest potential reviewers who possess relevant expertise in the manuscript topic. Suggested reviewers should be qualified experts capable of providing objective evaluations. However, the journal retains full discretion in selecting reviewers and is not obligated to invite suggested individuals.<\/p><p>Suggested reviewers must not:<\/p><p>\u2605 Have conflicts of interest with the authors;<br \/>\u2605 Have recent collaborations or joint publications with any author;<br \/>\u2605 Share current or recent institutional affiliations with authors;<br \/>\u2605 Have personal or financial relationships that may influence review objectivity.<\/p><h3><strong>Notes for Peer Reviewers<\/strong><\/h3><p>Peer reviewers are expected to follow professional ethical standards during the review process. Reviewers must:<\/p><p>\u2605 Declare any conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment;<br \/>\u2605 Maintain strict confidentiality regarding manuscript content;<br \/>\u2605 Provide objective, constructive, and unbiased evaluations;<br \/>\u2605 Report suspected ethical issues or scientific misconduct;<br \/>\u2605 Avoid requesting citations solely to increase their own citation counts;<br \/>\u2605 Submit review reports within agreed deadlines or request extensions if necessary.<\/p><p>Reviewers must not use unpublished information from manuscripts for personal or professional advantage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1965048 e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1965048\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"ai\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c57dc9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c57dc9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Scientific Writing<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee845b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee845b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Artificial intelligence tools cannot be credited as authors because they cannot assume responsibility or accountability for scientific work. AI tools may be used to improve language clarity or formatting; however, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all manuscript content.<\/p><p>If AI-assisted tools were used during manuscript preparation, authors must disclose this in the manuscript declarations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f690d1b e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f690d1b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"ConflictsofInterest\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcb2d9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dcb2d9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Authorship<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4b0e5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d4b0e5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><strong>Authorship Criteria<\/strong><\/h3><p>Authorship must reflect genuine scholarly contribution to the research. The journal follows ICMJE authorship guidelines, under which authors must meet all of the following conditions:<\/p><p>\u2605 Significant contribution to research conception, study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation;<br \/>\u2605 Participation in drafting or critically revising the manuscript;<br \/>\u2605 Approval of the final version prior to submission;<br \/>\u2605 Acceptance of responsibility and accountability for the work\u2019s accuracy and integrity.<\/p><p>Individuals who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged rather than listed as authors.<\/p><h3><strong>Corresponding Author<\/strong><\/h3><p>The corresponding author serves as the primary contact between the journal and all co-authors throughout submission, peer review, and publication. Responsibilities include ensuring all authors approve the manuscript, managing communication with the journal, submitting required declarations, and responding to post-publication queries or data requests.<\/p><h3><strong>Authorship Changes<\/strong><\/h3><p>Requests to add, remove, or rearrange authors are permitted only before manuscript acceptance. All authors, including those being added or removed, must provide written consent explaining the requested change.<\/p><h3><strong>Author Contributions<\/strong><\/h3><p>Manuscripts must include a statement detailing each author&#8217;s contribution using the <strong>CRediT taxonomy<\/strong>, promoting transparency and proper recognition of individual roles in the research.<\/p><h3><strong>ORCID<\/strong><\/h3><p>Authors are encouraged to provide ORCID identifiers to ensure accurate attribution of scholarly work and facilitate linkage of research outputs across databases.<\/p><h3><strong>Acknowledgments<\/strong><\/h3><p>Individuals or organizations contributing to the work but not qualifying for authorship should be acknowledged with a description of their contributions.<\/p><h3><strong>Authorship Criteria<\/strong><\/h3><p>Authorship must reflect genuine scholarly contribution to the research. The journal follows ICMJE authorship guidelines, under which authors must meet all of the following conditions:<\/p><p>\u2605 Significant contribution to research conception, study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation;<br \/>\u2605 Participation in drafting or critically revising the manuscript;<br \/>\u2605 Approval of the final version prior to submission;<br \/>\u2605 Acceptance of responsibility and accountability for the work\u2019s accuracy and integrity.<\/p><p>Individuals who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged rather than listed as authors.<\/p><h3><strong>Corresponding Author<\/strong><\/h3><p>The corresponding author serves as the primary contact between the journal and all co-authors throughout submission, peer review, and publication. Responsibilities include ensuring all authors approve the manuscript, managing communication with the journal, submitting required declarations, and responding to post-publication queries or data requests.<\/p><h3><strong>Authorship Changes<\/strong><\/h3><p>Requests to add, remove, or rearrange authors are permitted only before manuscript acceptance. All authors, including those being added or removed, must provide written consent explaining the requested change.<\/p><h3><strong>Author Contributions<\/strong><\/h3><p>Manuscripts must include a statement detailing each author&#8217;s contribution using the <strong>CRediT taxonomy<\/strong>, promoting transparency and proper recognition of individual roles in the research.<\/p><h3><strong>ORCID<\/strong><\/h3><p>Authors are encouraged to provide ORCID identifiers to ensure accurate attribution of scholarly work and facilitate linkage of research outputs across databases.<\/p><h3><strong>Acknowledgments<\/strong><\/h3><p>Individuals or organizations contributing to the work but not qualifying for authorship should be acknowledged with a description of their contributions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a3c78d e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0a3c78d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"ebgee\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48d9b7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"48d9b7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Research Ethics<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5a69d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5a69d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">All editors, board members, guest editors, and editorial staff must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to manuscripts they handle. If a conflict exists or could be perceived as compromising impartiality, the editor must inform the editorial office and recuse themselves. The Editor-in-Chief will reassign the manuscript to an independent editor.<\/span><\/p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">To maintain transparency, manuscripts submitted by editorial board members or guest editors are handled separately by other qualified editors, without the involvement of the submitting editor.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d1ccfb e-con-full scroll-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7d1ccfb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"ResearchEthics\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d580000 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d580000\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Research Ethics<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29e86b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29e86b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><strong>Human Subject Research<\/strong><\/h3><p>Studies involving human participants must receive approval from an appropriate institutional ethics committee and comply with internationally accepted ethical standards. Written informed consent must be obtained from all participants prior to inclusion in the study.<\/p><h3><strong>Animal Research<\/strong><\/h3><p>Research involving animals must follow institutional and national ethical guidelines for animal care and use. Approval from relevant animal ethics committees must be obtained before conducting experiments.<\/p><h3><strong>Availability of Data and Materials<\/strong><\/h3><p>To promote transparency and reproducibility, authors are encouraged to deposit research data in publicly accessible repositories when legally and ethically possible. Manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement specifying where supporting data can be accessed or how it may be requested.<\/p><h3><strong>Citation<\/strong><\/h3><p>Authors must cite relevant, original research accurately and avoid practices that artificially inflate citation metrics. Citations should directly support statements made within the manuscript.<\/p><h3><strong>Plagiarism<\/strong><\/h3><p>All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, may be rejected or retracted following publication if misconduct is confirmed.<\/p><h3><strong>Duplicate Publication<\/strong><\/h3><p>Submitted manuscripts must represent original work not previously published or under review elsewhere. Posting on preprint servers, inclusion in theses, or conference abstracts is permitted if clearly disclosed during submission.<\/p><h3><strong>Misconduct<\/strong><\/h3><p>Scientific misconduct includes fabrication or falsification of data, plagiarism, unethical research practices, authorship manipulation, and failure to disclose conflicts of interest. Allegations of misconduct are investigated following COPE guidelines and appropriate corrective action may be taken.<\/p><h3><strong>Corrections and Retractions<\/strong><\/h3><p>Corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions may be issued when published work contains significant errors or ethical concerns, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.<\/p><h3><strong>Confidentiality<\/strong><\/h3><p>Editors and reviewers must maintain confidentiality throughout manuscript handling and peer review. Manuscript content must not be shared or used outside the editorial process prior to publication.<\/p><h3><strong>Preprint Policy<\/strong><\/h3><p>Authors may post manuscripts on recognized preprint servers prior to submission. After publication, authors should update preprint records to include citation details and links to the final published article.<\/p><h3><strong>Archive<\/strong><\/h3><p>All published articles are digitally archived through recognized preservation services to ensure long-term accessibility and permanent availability.<\/p><h3><strong>Appeals and Complaints<\/strong><\/h3><p>Authors may appeal editorial decisions by contacting the editorial office with justification for reconsideration. Complaints regarding editorial conduct or publication ethics are investigated according to COPE recommendations, ensuring fair resolution of disputes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editorial Policies Journal Information Content Editorial Policies Open Access Copyright CC BY License Editorial Freedom Peer Review Policy Peer Reviewers Authors Suggest Reviewers Authorship Research Ethics Editorial Policies Frontiers in Environmental Biology endorses and applies the standards and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-44","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1247,"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44\/revisions\/1247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/feb.crcjournals.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}