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.

Publisher: The journal is published jointly by Université Laval and Université de Montréal (Quebec, Canada).

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.

Statistical Editorial Advisor: This person advises the editorial team regarding the statistical and methodological aspects of manuscripts submitted to the journal. They are consulted only when the main editorial board is faced with particularly complex quantitative analyses or when they wish to obtain a specialized review on the appropriateness of the methods used.

More specifically, the statistics advisor may be called upon to provide input on certain articles regarding:

• the appropriateness of the statistical analysis strategies in relation to the study’s objectives;
• the consistency between the research protocol and the analytical methods used;
• the accuracy of the interpretation of the statistical results;
• the quality and transparency of the presentation of the analyses;
• methodological recommendations that may be provided to the authors.

This is an advisory role and not a mandatory step in the editorial process. Therefore, the advisor is not required to review all manuscripts containing quantitative analyses, but only those that raise specific methodological questions or require more in-depth statistical expertise.

Statistics advisors are selected for their expertise in the field and their commitment to ensuring the scientific quality of the articles accepted by the journal. The term of service is ongoing and indefinite, as agreed upon by the parties involved.

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.

Selection Procedures for 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.

Selection Procedures for 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.

Selection Procedures for 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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee: The members of this committee provide their expertise on the use of generative artificial intelligence and AI-assisted technologies in research and scholarly publishing. These individuals are consulted regarding the AI policy of Science of Nursing and Health Practices / Science infirmière et pratiques en santé. They evaluate the appropriateness of this policy, considering developments in AI and the ethical standards of open-access scientific publishing. They propose changes, as appropriate.

The committee meets at least once a year and, as needed, considering developments in generative AI and AI-assisted technologies.

Selection Procedures for Members of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee

The members of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee are selected based on their expertise in AI and their interest in contributing to the discussions related to the use of AI by the authors, the editorial team, and external reviewers. No other specific selection criteria apply.

The term of office is two years. It automatically renews unless the member explicitly states otherwise or the main editorial board issues a reasoned decision to the contrary. This provision ensures continuity of expertise within the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee, while allowing members to evaluate their ability to maintain their commitment after 24 months.