Conclusion: Integrity is the Ultimate Impact Factor. Find out more about Strengthening safeguards against editorial self-preference in publishing.
The events and current trends of 2025—from the push for data transparency to the refinement of COPE guidelines—underscore a fundamental truth: the value of science is inseparable from the integrity of its publication process. The statistical anomaly in editorial behavior, whether conscious or a function of career pressure, forces us to build a better machine. Future success in scholarly communication will not be measured by how many papers a top journal publishes, but by the absolute, verifiable impartiality with which every single manuscript is handled.
We must shift the narrative away from the perceived *advantage* of publishing in one’s own journal and toward the tangible, measurable *cost* of that perception. By implementing mandatory, trackable editorial separation, aligning institutional rewards with ethical service, and leveraging new technologies for oversight, we can secure the future of objective scientific meritocracy. The integrity of the record is in our hands, and the time for vague recommendations is over.. Find out more about Strengthening safeguards against editorial self-preference in publishing strategies.
What is the single most important protocol your institution or journal needs to adopt in the next six months to enforce true editorial recusal? Share your thoughts in the comments below—this conversation requires everyone at the table.. Find out more about Concrete enforceable protocols for editor recusal from authored manuscripts definition guide.
