Editorial Independence Policy

Editorial Board of the journals and the owner, the Early Years Research Association of Singapore (EYRAS) have different roles. The editors-in-chief’s primary responsibilities are to inform and educate readers, with attention to the accuracy and importance of journal articles, and to protect and strengthen the integrity and quality of the journals and its processes.

The EYRAS supports the core values and policies of their organization and are ultimately responsible for all aspects of publishing the journal, including its staff, budget, and business policies. The relationship between the EYRAS and editors-in-chief are based on mutual respect and trust, and recognition of each other’s authority and responsibilities. Conflicts can damage both the intellectual integrity and reputation of the journal and its financial success.

The following are guidelines for protecting the responsibility and authority of both the Editorial Board and the EYRAS:

The Editorial Board have full authority and editorial freedom over the editorial content of the journals, generally referred to as “editorial independence.” Editorial content includes original research, opinion articles and news reports, both in print or electronic format, and how and when information is published. The EYRAS will not interfere in the evaluation, selection or editing of individual articles, either directly or by creating an environment in which editorial decisions are strongly influenced.

Editorial decisions shall be based mainly on the validity of the work and its importance to readers, not the policies of the EYRAS.  Editors are free to publish critical but responsible views about all aspects without fear of retribution, even if these views might conflict with the policies or commercial goals of the EYRAS.  To maintain this position, editors should seek input from a broad array of advisors such as reviewers, editorial staff, an editorial board, and readers.

The Editorial Board establishes procedures that guard against the influence of commercial, organizational, and personal self-interest on editorial decisions and make these procedures clear and transparent to all interested parties. They are compensated for their work on the journal in a manner that does not create a conflict of interest for the manuscripts they consider (see Conflict of Interest Policy).

Owners have the right to hire and fire members of the Editorial Board, but they should dismiss them only for substantial reasons such as a pattern of bad editorial decisions, disagreement with the long-term editorial direction of the journal, or personal behavior (such as criminal acts) that are incompatible with a position of trust. It may also be appropriate to end the editor’s service if, for whatever reason, owners and editors find they are unable to work together in a spirit of mutual trust and collaboration. Termination of an editor’s appointment should be a deliberate process, involving open discussion at the highest level of the organization, and should not be precipitous, except for egregious wrongdoing.

The limits of editorial freedom are difficult to define in the general case.  Editors should be receptive to articles representing all legitimate points of view and should be free to publish any responsible positions. However, owners cannot be expected to retain editors who take strong, consistent, one-sided positions against the core values and policies of their parent organization.

The Editorial Board reports to the Committee of the EYRAS, not its administrative officers.  Major decisions regarding the editor’s employment are being made by this body with open discussion and time to hear from all interested parties. The works of the such Committee are transparent and publicly available.

Editors shall resist any actions that might compromise these principles in their journals, even if it places their own position at risk.  If major transgressions do occur, all editors shall participate in drawing them to the attention of the international therapist, academic, and lay communities.