Confidentiality Protocols

Turing Ledger Journal of Engineering & Technology (TLJET)

Maintaining strict confidentiality is fundamental to the integrity, transparency, and ethical credibility of TLJET’s editorial and peer review processes. These protocols govern how editors, reviewers, and journal staff handle sensitive information during and after manuscript processing.

1. Confidentiality of Manuscripts

For Editors

  • All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential intellectual property.

  • Editors may not disclose, use, or reference any part of a manuscript (including figures, datasets, code, or supplementary files) outside the editorial workflow.

  • Unpublished content must never be reused or shared in personal research or institutional settings.

For Reviewers

  • Reviewers must treat all manuscript materials as strictly confidential.

  • Manuscripts may not be shared, discussed, or distributed without written consent from the TLJET editorial office.

  • Any digital or printed copies must be securely deleted or destroyed after the review is completed.

For Journal Staff

  • Access to manuscripts and submission records is restricted to authorized editorial staff only.

  • Staff are required to maintain confidentiality and use secure platforms for handling manuscript files and editorial data.

2. Confidentiality of the Peer Review Process

Double-Blind Review Integrity

TLJET enforces a double-blind peer review model to promote objectivity:

  • Authors' identities are withheld from reviewers.

  • Reviewers remain anonymous to authors at all stages.

Editors must ensure that:

  • All identifying information is removed from review files.

  • Reviewers are not inadvertently revealed through comments, file metadata, or correspondence.

Reviewer Identity Protection

  • Reviewer identities are strictly confidential.

  • Editors must not disclose reviewer names to authors, other reviewers, or third parties.

  • Editorial systems and communications are monitored to prevent accidental disclosure.

3. Confidential Correspondence

With Authors

  • All decision letters, reviewer reports, and revision instructions are confidential.

  • Authors must not share these communications outside their co-author group.

With Reviewers

  • Correspondence with reviewers (e.g., manuscript abstracts, editorial notes) must be used only for evaluation purposes.

  • Reviewer feedback is anonymized before being shared with authors.

4. Data Protection and Secure Storage

System Access

  • Only registered editors, reviewers, and authors can access TLJET’s editorial platform.

  • All users must safeguard login credentials and avoid access from public or unsecured networks.

Secure File Handling

  • Manuscripts and supplementary files must be stored on encrypted and password-protected devices.

  • Cloud storage and external sharing are not permitted unless explicitly authorized and access-controlled.

5. Post-Decision Confidentiality

Rejected Manuscripts

  • Manuscripts rejected during the review process remain confidential.

  • Editors, reviewers, and staff must not use, cite, or reference these works in any future research or communication.

Published Manuscripts

  • Although published articles are open access, all peer review data, editorial notes, and reviewer identities are permanently confidential.

  • These records are retained internally for auditing but are never disclosed publicly.

6. Handling Breaches of Confidentiality

Reporting Breaches

  • Any suspected or known breach must be reported immediately to the TLJET editorial office.

  • A full investigation will be conducted to assess impact and inform relevant stakeholders.

Consequences

  • Breaches may result in:

    • Removal from reviewer/editorial roles

    • Revocation of system access

    • Formal notice to affiliated institutions

    • Reporting to COPE or other ethics bodies

7. Commitment to Ethical Standards

TLJET adheres to international standards including:

  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics)

  • ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors)

All contributors—authors, reviewers, editors, and staff—are required to comply with these confidentiality protocols to maintain the trust and integrity of the academic publishing process.