See “Code of Good Practice”.
This journal provides free access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater exchange of global knowledge.
This journal uses the LOCKSS system to create a distributed archive among participating libraries, allowing these libraries to create permanent archives of the journal for preservation and restoration purposes.
The development and proper function of scientific journals, regardless of their area of expertise, is beneficial for the entire academic community. In recent decades, the publication of articles in quality journals has become a leading indicator of researchers’ career paths and international recognition. Furthermore, it is a fundamental element in network formation, project allocation and promotions within the academic world.
This situation is reflected in the growing tendency of certain prominent journals to disclose their publication guidelines and Codes of Good Practice in order to guarantee ethical conduct in the internal functions of editorial teams, relationships with authors and reviewers, and the evaluation and editing processes.
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) has been assisting editorial boards of scientific journals with the aim to promote proper conduct and pursue inappropriate practices on an international scale. In Spain, the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT – Fundación Española de Ciencia y Tecnología) has begun working in this same direction.
In this context, and taking into account key international recommendations, IHE-HER considers it necessary to publish a Code of Good Practice aimed at making the internal functions of our Editorial Board more transparent and predictable. We believe that this improves our editorial procedures while preventing and regulating the resolution of conflicts of interest that inevitably arise in these processes. A large part of this Code compiles practices that have become standard to the IHE-HER Editorial Board over the years. At the same time, we have introduced certain innovations in our relationship with authors and reviewers that we believe will optimize the function of the journal as our editorial processes.
The Editor as well the members of the Editorial Board should:
Members of the Board who have invited or suggested a researcher to submit his/her article to IHE-HER should inform the Editor and the rest of the Board of this fact.
When an article is received, any members of the Board who consider that their opinion about the paper (author or topic) may be either positively or negatively influenced by his/her own interests should notify the Editor and refrain from evaluating the article. It is the duty of the Editor and the members of the Board to be aware of reviews that may present any possible conflicts of interest.
The decisions of the Editorial Board are based on quality, relevance of the study and its adherence to the formal IHE-EHR guidelines. Other assessments that are not related with these criteria will be avoided.
Books that are reviewed by the journal are selected by the Book Review Editor in accordance with criteria for quality and relevance.
Book review authors are selected according to criteria related to the topic of discussion. The book author is not allowed to propose any book reviewers. When the author of the book is a member of the Editorial Board, none of the Board members will be selected as reviewers, and foreign reviewers will be designated.
The peer review is a double-blind process; therefore, the identity of authors and reviewers remains confidential at all times.
Selected external reviewers are always experts in either the topic dealt with or the methodology of the article and present no conflicts of interest with the authors. In situations of two contradictory opinions from two reviewers, a third reviewer will be consulted.
Any objections that authors may have about certain persons reviewing their article are carefully analyzed; if valid reasons are provided, we will respect their wishes.
The Editorial Board gives the reviewers a set of guidelines on which to base their opinions. The reviewers are asked to be objective and to refrain from evaluating the article if they have any conflicts of interest.
We require the reviewers to maintain the utmost confidentiality and to abstain from sharing or commenting on the articles they have received for evaluation.
The reviewers should express their ideas as clearly as possible while using the arguments and references necessary to defend their criticisms. They are also requested to take note of ethical aspects of the article (plagiarism, etc.). Likewise, we ask them to refrain from offensive criticism and those of a personal nature.
The journal periodically revises its list of reviewers and eliminates those persons who have not correctly performed their duties.
Authors are reminded that authorship of a scientific article should be strictly limited to those persons who have made a substantial contribution to the research involved.
When submitting their manuscripts, authors are required to explicitly define any possible conflicts of interest that their text may generate.
Authors are once again reminded to acknowledge their scientific references (particularly the origin of their ideas, methodologies, sources, etc.) in a clear manner so that readers may consult these citations and corroborate their usage when necessary.
The Editor is committed to quickly and reasonably responding to any complaint that is considered pertinent, be it from authors, reviewers or readers. Cases of serious conflicts will be discussed with the Editorial Board, and a joint decision and response will be agreed upon.
When arbitrating specific conflicts of interests, the COPE guidelines will be followed as closely as possible (http://publicationethics.org/).
The relationship between the IHE-EHR Editorial Board and the AEHE and its Board is based on the principle of editorial independence.
Investigaciones en Historia Económica-Economic History Research states its commitment to equal opportunities between women and men in their research activity on economic history. To enhance this, the journal adopts the guidelines for Best Practice on Equality Matters (Buenas Prácticas Editoriales en Materia de Igualdad) recommended by FECYT:
We believe that these actions enrich our knowledge of society and enhance the role of women in history. The current IHE-EHR Editorial Board has already adopted the following best practices in gender matters:
The Editorial Board is committed to continued development in this direction, under the conviction that it contributes to improving the quality of the research published in the journal.
