Statutes

Statutes of the INAP Scientific Journals

  1. IDENTIFICATION, CONTENTS AND INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION

The National Institute of Public Administration (INAP), through the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management (Centro de Estudios y Gestión del Conocimiento), and as provided in Articles 3 and 7 of its Statute, approved by Royal Decree 464/2011 of 1 April, is entrusted, among its functions, with carrying out multidisciplinary studies and research on State institutions, public administrations and the civil service, with special attention to matters related to local government. This activity is complemented and developed in the Priority Research Lines of the National Institute of Public Administration, published on the INAP website.

In this context, INAP seeks to disseminate best public administration practices to guide both academics and public sector professionals in decision‑making, focusing particularly on Spain, Europe and Ibero‑America.

Among other means, this function is fulfilled through the publication of periodicals in electronic format, relating to the thematic field outlined above. The operation of this editorial and publishing activity is governed by these Statutes, which cover the various titles currently published and any that may be published in the future.

At the time of drafting these Statutes, INAP publishes the following journals: Gestión y Análisis de Políticas Públicas (GAPP); Revista de Estudios de la Administración Local y Autonómica (REALA); and Documentación Administrativa (DA).

INAP publishes the content of these journals exclusively for research and dissemination purposes, but assumes no responsibility for the truthfulness, accuracy or relevance of the content of the articles. Publication does not imply endorsement of the opinions expressed or represent the official position of INAP. The opinions, judgments and conclusions reflected are the sole responsibility of the authors. Any concerns, claims or requests for clarification regarding an article must be directed to its author(s).

  1. COMMITMENT TO OPEN SCIENCE

INAP’s journals operate within the framework of Organic Law 2/2023 of 22 March on the University System (LOSU); Law 14/2011 of 1 June on Science, Technology and Innovation (LCTI), as amended by Law 17/2022 of 5 September; and the National Open Science Strategy 2023‑2027. These statutes encourage that research outcomes, including scientific publications, data, code and methodologies, be made available under open access. To this end, free and unrestricted access is provided to publications and scientific results funded directly or indirectly by public funds.

To comply with this mandate, INAP undertakes the following actions, each framed within successive strategic action plans:

  • Publishes works in electronic form and in multiple formats to enable reading on diverse devices, as well as for digital preservation, reuse and sharing.
  • Grants free and open access to its content under licenses permitting unrestricted dissemination and the creation of derivative works, excluding commercial use.
  • Encourages authors to deposit final peer‑reviewed versions or the publisher’s final versions in institutional open‑access repositories and self‑archiving platforms.
  • Disseminates content through indexes, databases and repositories.
  1. GENDER EQUALITY

INAP’s journals are committed to implementing the principle and best practices of gender equality and the prohibition of discrimination in scientific research and practice in Spain, as set forth in Organic Law 3/2007 on Effective Equality between Women and Men; specifically in Law 14/2011 on Science, Technology and Innovation, as amended by Law 17/2022; in the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2021‑2027; and in calls for proposals by the State Research Agency, among others. Furthermore, the journals apply the criterion of gender equality in the composition of their governing bodies.

  1. UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY

INAP undertakes to apply in its journals’ digital content the criteria and guidelines ensuring that all content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust, so as to be accessible to any person regardless of ability or limitation, as primarily stipulated in Legislative Royal Decree 1/2013 of 29 November approving the Revised Text of the General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and their Social Inclusion; Royal Decree 1112/2018 of 7 September on the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications; and, generally, in compliance with European regulations on the integration of persons with disabilities.

INAP also undertakes to follow in its digital publications the indications of UNE‑EN 301 549, which establishes accessibility requirements for ICT products and services.

  1. JOURNAL BODIES, FUNCTIONS AND TERM OF OFFICE

5.1. EDITORIAL TEAM

The editorial bodies responsible for INAP’s scientific journals are described below. Each journal shall have the same bodies, although their composition may vary.

5.1.1. INAP DIRECTORATE

Holds the highest representation of the journals, including legal representation. Alongside the Head of the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management, it shall manage relations with other institutions on all matters concerning the journals.

Upon proposal by the Technical Committee, the Directorate shall appoint the Editor‑in‑Chief (EIC) of each journal (henceforth “EIC”) and may remove them by reasoned decision in cases of resignation, expiration of the term or continued failure to perform duties.

Also upon proposal by the Technical Committee, the Directorate shall appoint members of the editorial and advisory committees and may remove them under the same conditions.

5.1.2. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

The Editorial Committee is the collegiate body responsible for ensuring the high quality of each journal’s content and establishing its scientific guidelines, to be executed by the EIC. Its composition includes the EIC, the Secretary, the Technical Secretary and the Committee members, all experts in relevant scientific or technical fields, external to INAP and without employment ties, except for occasional external collaborations.

Mandatory requirements:

  1. Balanced representation of major national research institutions and Spain’s regional territories.
  2. At least 20% of members shall be distinguished experts from leading foreign research institutions.

Responsibilities:

  • Convene and approve each journal issue.
  • Approve the annual activity report.
  • Verify that submissions comply with the journal’s scientific guidelines.
  • Conduct preliminary evaluation of articles.
  • Select external reviewers to provide written assessments of submissions.
  • Adhere to policies on dissemination, indexing, editorial ethics, research integrity, gender equality, inclusion and open access as set out in these Statutes and any future directives of the INAP Directorate.

Compensation:

INAP may allocate financial remuneration to the EIC, Secretary and Technical Secretary in accordance with INAP’s resolution on compensation scales for institutional collaborations.

5.1.2.1. EDITOR‑IN‑CHIEF

The EIC is appointed by the INAP Directorate upon proposal by the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management for a non‑renewable term of five years. If replaced mid‑term, the successor serves only until the original term’s expiration.

Failure to comply with these Statutes may result in removal by the INAP Directorate upon reasoned proposal by the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management.

Duties:

  • Lead and coordinate the journal and liaise with the Editorial Committee, reporting on operations and needs.
  • Ensure the utmost scientific quality in line with the journal’s objectives and these Statutes.
  • Propose candidates for the Secretary and Technical Secretary, subject to final approval by the Directorate.
  • Propose the Advisory Committee’s composition, subject to final approval by the Directorate.
  • Convene and preside over Editorial Committee meetings prior to each issue’s publication.
  • Through the Technical Committee, report on the journal’s operations and needs to the INAP Directorate.

5.1.2.2. SECRETARY

Appointed by the Directorate upon proposal by the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management and/or the EIC for a non‑renewable five‑year term. Mid‑term replacements serve until the original term’s expiration.

Failure to comply may result in removal by the Directorate upon reasoned proposal by the EIC or Technical Committee.

Duties:

  • Receive submissions and, with the Scientific‑Editorial Coordinator, manage them through evaluation and publication.
  • Handle communications with authors, the Editorial Committee and the Technical Committee for non‑production matters.
  • Organize initial screening of submissions for format and scope compliance, determining which proceed to peer review.
  • Coordinate the peer review process, send anonymized manuscripts and review templates to reviewers, and communicate decisions to authors after the Editorial Committee’s determination.
  • Prepare agendas and draft minutes for Editorial Committee meetings with the EIC, delivering minutes to the Technical Committee.
  • Assume the EIC’s management and liaison duties in their absence.
  • Ensure adherence to editorial and scientific quality policies, dissemination and indexing policies, editorial ethics, research integrity, gender equality, inclusion and open access as provided herein and by future Directorate directives.
  • Monitor the journal’s research field to attract high‑quality authors and content and support dissemination through appropriate media and repositories.

5.1.2.3. TECHNICAL SECRETARY

Appointed and removed under the same conditions as the Secretary, for a non‑renewable five‑year term, with mid‑term replacements serving until the term’s expiration.

Duties:

Assist the Secretary in all assigned tasks, with special attention to receipt and management of submissions through evaluation and publication.

5.1.2.4. COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Appointed by the Directorate upon proposal by the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management for a non‑renewable five‑year term, with mid‑term replacements serving until the term’s expiration.

Failure to comply may result in removal under the same conditions as other positions.

Duties:

  • Attend meetings in person or remotely.
  • Assist the Secretary in preliminary review of submissions to decide which proceed to peer review.
  • Help identify external reviewers; they may not act as reviewers themselves.
  • Except in extraordinary cases with prior Editorial Committee consent, may not submit their own work; if they do, they must recuse themselves from related deliberations.
  • Advise and support the journal’s leadership in necessary tasks for proper operation and goal attainment.
  • Support monitoring the research field to attract high‑quality authors and content and assist in dissemination strategy analysis.

5.1.2.5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A collegiate body of distinguished professionals and researchers without institutional ties to the journal. At least 20% shall be from prestigious foreign research institutions.

Members are appointed by the Directorate upon proposal by the EIC and approval of the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management for a five‑year term, renewable once for another five years by the same procedure.

Duties:

  • Guide editorial policy and support recognition, dissemination and consolidation of the journal nationally and internationally.
  • Participate as external reviewers; at least one review per manuscript must come from outside the Advisory Committee. They may recommend additional expert reviewers.

5.1.2.6. GUEST EDITORS

Special issues or monographs are led by researchers outside the Editorial Committee, approved by the Editorial Committee upon EIC proposal. They coordinate the monograph and may suggest reviewers for its articles, provided they are not committee members; the Editorial Committee makes final reviewer selections.

5.1.2.7. SECTION EDITORS

Upon Editorial Committee approval, the EIC may appoint committee members to coordinate specific journal sections by theme or document type. Their term is tied to their committee membership and subject to the EIC’s discretion for removal.

5.1.3. SCIENTIFIC‑EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Appointed by the Technical Committee, this person oversees the Editorial Committee’s activities to ensure proper functioning of all processes aimed at publishing quality content and adherence to the INAP journals’ Code of Ethics, published on the journals’ website and based on COPE’s Good Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors. They maintain continuous communication with the EIC and Secretary, reporting supervisory findings and assisting with any operational issues.

5.1.4. TECHNICAL EDITOR

Responsible for technical editorial management, content production, dissemination and the journal’s website, while assisting the Editorial Committee, authors and reviewers throughout the editorial process. This position is held by a professional staff member of INAP affiliated with the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management.

Technical editing functions include:

  • Providing technical support in the editorial process.
  • Managing configuration, maintenance and updates of the journal’s website.
  • Overseeing editorial production and publication of content.
  • Handling indexing and dissemination of published content and the journal itself.

5.1.5. ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL EDITOR

Assists the Scientific‑Editorial Coordinator and Technical Editor in all assigned tasks, focusing on editing, production and dissemination of published content. This position is held by a professional staff member of INAP affiliated with the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management.

  1. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

External to the Editorial Committee, this body coordinates and directs technical tasks of editing and publishing approved manuscripts, as well as supervising and auditing the overall functioning of each journal.

Composition and functions:

  • Comprised of the Head of the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management, the Scientific‑Editorial Coordinator and the Technical Editor.
  • Directs and coordinates tasks related to formatting and typographical criteria, layout, proof review, proof distribution and author communications.
  • May audit the general functioning of the journal and report periodically to the INAP Directorate through the Center for Studies and Knowledge Management.
  • Oversees dissemination, indexing and other tasks that enhance the journal’s visibility, impact and recognition.
  • Exclusively responsible for drafting, approving and enforcing the journal’s publication norms, including a Style Guide and mandatory citation/reference guidelines.
  • Ensures compliance with research integrity and gender equality and inclusive language best practices.
  • Maintains ongoing liaison with the Secretary and Technical Secretary for coordinated production processes and may audit these roles’ performance, proposing removal to the Directorate in case of continued non‑compliance.
  • Maintains ongoing liaison with the EIC and may report performance issues to the Directorate.

Approved by resolution of the National Institute of Public Administration on 13 May 2025.