Roles and Responsibilities
Publisher and Editorial Team
Presentation: The publisher and the editorial team of Science of Nursing and Health Practices / Science infirmière et pratiques en santé support the mission of the journal to promote access to research results to increase their use and thus improve the quality of care and the health of populations. The journal complies with guidance on responsible research conduct, rigorous ethics of research involving humans, and research and reporting quality criteria specific to scientific publications. The editorial team of the journal is completely independent of any funding agencies. Thus, any editorial decisions are solely based on Canadian and international recognized best practices of ethics in publishing. Its governance relies on collegiality, engagement, respect, transparency, and excellence in Diamond Open Access publishing.
Established in 2012, RRISIQ is a non-profit research network that brings together people working in health practice-oriented research. RRISIQ is funded by: 1) ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Quebec), and 2) Fonds de recherche du Québec (Health Sector).
Main Editorial Board: The Main Editorial Board consists of the co-editors-in-chief and of the managing editor. It is responsible for the overall operation of the journal.
Co-editors-in-chief: As the official representatives of the journal, these individuals share responsibility for the journal's overall direction and the quality of its content. They oversee the journal's strategic development and operations. Experienced in research, they review all incoming submissions and make decisions based, where appropriate, on the synthesis of assessments following double anonymous peer review. They are also responsible for ensuring the journal's good governance and overseeing its content, policies, and procedures.
Managing Editor: The Managing Editor is responsible for the entire editorial process. This professional is responsible for communications, drafts guidelines and policies, and writes the content for the journal's website. The Managing Editor carries out the linguistic editing of articles and completes the layout of manuscript proofs. In collaboration with the co-editors-in-chief, the Managing Editor undertakes strategic development activities for the journal. This position is paid and staffed by highly qualified personnel.
Associate Editors: The associate editors are responsible for the peer-review process. In collaboration with the managing editor, they oversee the double-blind review process within the journal’s platform. They invite and recruit experts in the field. Following the review, they prepare and submit the review summary to the co-editors-in-chief.
Procedures for the Selection of Associate Editors
Associate Editors (currently being recruited) play a pivotal role in safeguarding the scientific quality and integrity of the peer-review process, in line with international standards of scholarly publishing. Their selection is guided by stringent criteria designed to uphold transparency, fairness, and editorial rigor.
Selection criteria include demonstrating a clear commitment to scientific integrity, ethical evaluation, and editorial excellence; be proficient (the journal, in collaboration with university libraries, offers training) in using Open Journal Systems (OJS), the journal’s editorial management platform; possess at least three years of research experience, with recognized expertise in their field, both methodological and theoretical. Such expertise is essential for actively identifying and recruiting qualified reviewers, and for ensuring the best match between reviewer expertise and submitted manuscripts.
Term of service: three years, non-renewable, to ensure a regular infusion of new perspectives, the diversification of scientific networks, and openness to innovative approaches within the editorial team.
Scientific Committee: The members of the scientific committee support the work of the associate editors by recommending external reviewers who possess the necessary expertise for reviewing manuscripts. They can also examine manuscripts.
Procedures for the Selection of Members of the Scientific Committee
Members of the Scientific Committee are selected in accordance with international standards of diamond open access publishing and based on their scholarly contributions in the journal’s areas of publication.
Selection criteria include a significant and recognized scientific contribution within the areas covered by the journal; demonstrated research experience, supported by peer-reviewed publications; in-depth knowledge of relevant academic networks, enabling them to guide the journal toward qualified reviewers and to contribute to the expansion of scientific collaborations.
Term of service: two years and is automatically renewed, unless explicitly declined by the member or otherwise decided by the Main Editorial Board for valid reasons. This arrangement ensures organizational continuity while allowing for the gradual renewal of expertise within the Scientific Committee.
International Advisory Board: The International Advisory Board supports the development of the journal regarding its policies and overall direction. The Advisory Board provides input based on the best practices of Diamond open access and on the ethical principles of research. Consulted twice a year (or more, if needed) on the journal's developments and issues, the board includes 1) senior researchers, 2) graduate students, 3) members of the public (citizens, patients, caregivers), and 4) representatives of those in the clinical, managerial, or training positions in Health and Social Care Systems worldwide. Committee members represent the journal in Quebec, Canada, and internationally.
Procedures for the Selection of Members of the International Advisory Board
The journal selects members of the International Advisory Board in accordance with international standards of editorial governance and the principles of diamond open access scholarly publishing. The mission of this board is to enhance the journal’s international visibility, promote its objectives, and represent its presence across different regions of the world.
Selection criteria include a strong dedication to the highest standards of open access diamond scholarly publishing, a consistent interest in the journal’s objectives and a commitment to its dissemination, ensuring geographically diverse representation, thereby strengthening the journal’s international reach.
The Term of service is two years and is automatically renewed, unless explicitly declined by the member or otherwise decided by the Main Editorial Board for valid reasons. Active participation is mandatory: failure to attend two consecutive committee meetings results in the termination of the term, with the member considered to have stepped down. At the end of the term, or in the event of an early cessation, an official letter of acknowledgment is issued to recognize the member’s contribution and commitment.