Editorial Policies
Welcome to the Editorial Policies section of the Journal of International and Prospective Studies. Our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism is reflected in these policies, which guide our editorial practices and ensure a fair and ethical process for all contributors. Whether you are submitting your research, addressing an issue, or seeking information on our editorial standards, you will find detailed guidelines on our procedures. We aim to create a respectful, inclusive, and neutral platform that upholds the quality and reliability of scholarly communication.
- Complaints and Appeals Procedure
- Contributor Agreement
- Copyright and Permissions
- Corrections and Retractions Policy
- Editorial Dignity at Work Policy
- Editorial Independence
- Jurisdictional Neutrality Policy
- Name Change Policy
- Prior Publication
- Research Data Sharing Policy
1. Complaints and Appeals Procedure
We are committed to upholding the highest standards of editorial integrity and transparency. If authors, readers, or reviewers have concerns regarding the editorial process, they can submit a formal complaint or appeal. Complaints may pertain to issues such as delays in the peer review process, editorial decisions, or potential breaches of editorial ethics. Appeals are typically associated with decisions to reject manuscripts and must be well-founded with substantial evidence or arguments to warrant reconsideration.
When a complaint or appeal is received, it will be initially reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, who may consult with other members of the editorial board or external experts as necessary. We strive to address all complaints and appeals promptly, with a target response time of four weeks. The final decision regarding an appeal will be communicated in writing, and this decision will be considered conclusive.
2. Contributor Agreement
All contributors must sign a Contributor Agreement before their work can be published. This agreement ensures that authors have the necessary rights to their submitted content and agree to our terms of publication. By signing the agreement, authors confirm that their work is original, has not been published elsewhere, and does not infringe on any third-party rights.
The Contributor Agreement also outlines the responsibilities of the journal, including the duty to conduct a fair and thorough peer review process and to publish the accepted work in a timely manner. It also addresses issues related to conflicts of interest, ethical standards in research and publication, and the rights of authors to disseminate their work after publication under specific conditions.
3. Copyright and Permissions
The Journal of International and Prospective Studies retains copyright for all published articles. Authors grant us the exclusive right to publish their work, ensuring that it is protected and widely disseminated. This allows the journal to manage and license the use of the content, ensuring proper attribution and adherence to our policies.
Authors are encouraged to share their work within the guidelines set forth in the agreement, which may include posting preprints or sharing links to the published article. For any reuse of the content, such as reproducing figures or extensive quotations, proper permissions must be obtained from the journal. This policy helps protect the authors' intellectual property while promoting responsible sharing of scholarly knowledge.
4. Corrections and Retractions Policy
We are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our scholarly record. If errors are discovered in published articles, whether they are factual inaccuracies, methodological errors, or ethical issues, we will issue corrections or retractions as necessary. This policy outlines the procedures for addressing inaccuracies and ensuring that the scientific record is accurate and reliable.
Corrections are typically issued for minor errors that do not affect the overall findings or conclusions of the paper, such as typographical errors or incorrect author affiliations. Retractions are more serious and are issued when the errors significantly impact the validity of the research or when there has been a breach of ethical standards. The process for issuing corrections or retractions involves a thorough investigation by the editorial team and consultation with the authors and, if necessary, external experts.
5. Editorial Dignity at Work Policy
Our journal upholds a respectful and professional work environment for all editorial staff. We have zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or any behaviour that undermines the dignity of our team members. This policy ensures that all interactions within the editorial office, including communications with authors, reviewers, and other stakeholders, are conducted with respect and professionalism.
We provide training and resources to our editorial staff to help them recognise and address any issues related to workplace dignity. Any reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Our goal is to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and respected.
6. Editorial Independence
We adhere to strict guidelines ensuring editorial independence. Editorial decisions are based solely on the scholarly merit of the work and are not influenced by advertising, sponsorship, or any commercial interests. This independence is critical to maintaining the trust of our authors, reviewers, and readers.
Our editorial board operates independently, with full authority over the content and publication decisions of the journal. We are committed to transparency and integrity in our editorial processes, ensuring that all decisions are made free from external pressures and conflicts of interest.
7. Jurisdictional Neutrality Policy
Our journal strives to maintain neutrality concerning jurisdictional matters. We do not favour any particular legal, political, or national jurisdiction in our editorial decisions. This neutrality ensures that our publication decisions are based solely on the quality and relevance of the submitted research.
We accept submissions from authors around the world and aim to provide a platform for diverse perspectives. Our editorial policies and practices are designed to be inclusive and fair, ensuring that all authors receive equal consideration regardless of their geographic location.
8. Name Change Policy
We recognise the importance of respecting authors' name changes. This policy outlines our procedures for updating names on previously published articles to reflect such changes. Authors may request a name change for various reasons, including gender transition, marriage, divorce, or personal preference.
Our process for updating names is designed to be respectful and confidential. We will update the name on all versions of the article, including the online and print versions, without indicating that a change has been made. This ensures that the author's privacy is protected and that their publication record accurately reflects their current identity.
9. Prior Publication
We have specific guidelines regarding prior publication. Authors must disclose any previous dissemination of their work to ensure it meets our originality requirements. Prior publication may include preprints, conference presentations, or postings on personal or institutional websites.
Our policy aims to balance the need for originality with the recognition that early dissemination can be beneficial for research. We consider each case individually, taking into account the extent and nature of the prior dissemination and its impact on the novelty of the submission.
10. Research Data Sharing Policy
We encourage the sharing of research data to enhance transparency and reproducibility. Authors should make their data available upon request and comply with our data sharing guidelines. Sharing research data helps to validate findings, promotes collaboration, and accelerates scientific progress.
Our policy provides guidelines on how to prepare and share data, including recommendations for data repositories and formats. We also address issues related to data confidentiality and the protection of sensitive information. Authors are encouraged to include a data availability statement in their manuscript, indicating where and how the data can be accessed.
