The Editors of Journal of Human-Social Nexus play a critical role in ensuring the journal publishes high-quality, ethical, and relevant research. These guidelines are designed to support editors in their responsibilities and help maintain the integrity and quality of the journal’s content.
1. Editorial Responsibilities
Decision-Making:
Editors are responsible for making final decisions on manuscripts after they have undergone the peer review process. Based on the reviewers' comments and their own assessments, editors will decide whether a manuscript is accepted, requires revisions, or is rejected.
Decisions should be based on the quality of the research, the relevance to the journal’s scope, the clarity of the writing, and the contribution to the field. Manuscripts should not be rejected solely based on the author’s identity, institution, nationality, or any personal bias.
Fairness:
Editors must ensure that all manuscripts are evaluated fairly, impartially, and based solely on their academic merit. Editors should not favor any submission based on personal, institutional, or professional relationships.
Double-blind peer review must be adhered to, ensuring that neither the authors nor the reviewers know each other’s identities, which helps avoid biases in the review process.
Ethical Oversight:
Editors must ensure that all submissions comply with the journal’s ethical standards. If a manuscript is found to involve unethical practices such as plagiarism, falsification of data, or ethical violations, it should be rejected immediately.
Ethical guidelines should be followed, and editors should be familiar with the journal’s Plagiarism Policy, Conflict of Interest Policy, and Research Ethics.
2. Manuscript Review Process
Selecting Reviewers:
Editors must select appropriate reviewers for each manuscript, based on their expertise in the subject matter and their ability to provide constructive and impartial feedback.
Reviewers should be experts in the relevant field and should have no conflicts of interest regarding the manuscript. Editors are encouraged to select both established scholars and emerging experts to provide diverse perspectives.
Review Feedback:
Editors must ensure that reviewers provide constructive, objective, and respectful feedback. Reviewers should offer specific recommendations for improvement and avoid personal comments that could be deemed inappropriate or biased.
Editors should review the feedback from the reviewers and determine whether the manuscript requires minor revisions, major revisions, or rejection.
Timeliness:
Editors are responsible for ensuring that the peer review process is completed in a timely manner. They must aim to provide authors with decisions on their manuscripts promptly, typically within 4-6 weeks of submission.
If revisions are requested, editors should allow a reasonable timeframe for authors to make the necessary changes and resubmit the manuscript.
3. Conflict of Interest
Disclosure:
Editors must disclose any conflict of interest they may have with a manuscript under consideration. If an editor has a conflict of interest, they should recuse themselves from handling the manuscript and assign it to another editor.
Conflicts of interest may include personal relationships with the authors, financial interests, or professional connections that could influence the editorial decision.
Impartiality:
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Editors must ensure that the editorial process is free from bias. They must base decisions on the scientific and academic merits of the manuscript and not allow personal views or relationships to influence the process.
4. Ethical Oversight and Integrity
Plagiarism and Duplicate Publication:
Editors are responsible for checking manuscripts for plagiarism using appropriate plagiarism detection tools. Manuscripts with high levels of plagiarism (over 15%) or duplicate content should be rejected immediately.
Editors should ensure that authors properly attribute sources and avoid self-plagiarism.
Data Integrity:
Editors should be vigilant about the integrity of the data presented in the manuscripts. If there are concerns about data manipulation or research ethics, editors must investigate the matter thoroughly, following the journal’s protocols.
Misrepresentation of data or failure to disclose research methods, data sources, or conflicts of interest should lead to the manuscript being rejected or retracted if published.
5. Editorial Communication
With Authors:
Editors must communicate clearly and professionally with authors at every stage of the editorial process. Authors should be informed of the editorial decision promptly, whether the manuscript is accepted, revised, or rejected.
If revisions are required, editors should provide a clear summary of reviewer feedback, along with any additional comments or instructions for the authors.
With Reviewers:
Editors must ensure that reviewers receive timely communication and are thanked for their valuable time and efforts.
Reviewers must be reminded of their obligation to provide constructive and respectful feedback in a timely manner, in line with the journal’s standards.
With Editorial Board:
Editors should consult with the Editorial Board for advice on contentious issues, or when they feel a second opinion is required to make an editorial decision.
Regular meetings should be held to discuss the journal’s direction, policies, and any potential issues with manuscripts or reviewers.
6. Maintaining Transparency
Clear Editorial Decisions:
Editorial decisions must be transparent and well-documented. Editors should ensure that decisions are communicated clearly to authors, with specific feedback that justifies the decision made.
The editorial process should be transparent, with all involved parties (authors, reviewers, and editors) being aware of their roles and responsibilities.
Publications and Retractions:
If a manuscript has been published and a serious error or ethical issue is identified post-publication, editors must take swift action, which may involve issuing a corrigendum or retraction.
Editors should follow the journal’s retraction policy if significant ethical violations or academic misconduct are discovered after publication.
7. Editorial Policy Development
Journal Growth:
Editors should be proactive in contributing to the growth and development of the journal, including fostering new research areas, broadening the scope, and attracting high-quality submissions.
Editors should work collaboratively with the Editorial Board and Publisher to keep the journal relevant, timely, and in alignment with emerging trends and developments in the humanities and social sciences fields.
Regular Policy Review:
Editors should periodically review the journal’s editorial policies to ensure they reflect current academic standards, ethical practices, and best practices in the scholarly publishing industry.
8. Editorial Independence
Autonomy in Decision-Making:
Editors must maintain their editorial independence from external influences, including the journal’s publisher, authors, or other stakeholders. Decisions should always be made based on the manuscript’s academic merit and relevance to the journal’s scope.
Editors should avoid conflicts of interest, political bias, or financial incentives when making editorial decisions.
9. Handling Appeals
Appeals Process:
If an author disagrees with an editorial decision, they may submit an appeal to the editor-in-chief. Editors should provide a fair process for evaluating appeals and address any concerns raised by authors.
The appeals process should be transparent, and authors should be informed of the final decision, with a clear explanation provided for any changes or actions taken.
The role of the editor is crucial in maintaining the integrity, quality, and credibility of Journal of Human-Social Nexus. By following these guidelines, editors ensure that the journal adheres to the highest academic standards and continues to contribute valuable knowledge to the field of humanities and social sciences.
Editors are expected to act professionally, impartially, and ethically, with a strong commitment to ensuring the quality and impact of the journal’s published research.
At Journal of Human-Social Nexus, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and quality throughout the editorial and publishing process. Our Editorial Policies are designed to ensure fairness, ethical conduct, and the production of high-quality research that advances knowledge in the humanities and social sciences. The following policies guide the actions of the editorial team, authors, and reviewers to foster a professional and responsible publishing environment.
1. Editorial Independence
Editorial Independence: The editorial team operates independently of external influence, including the publisher, authors, and advertisers. The editorial decisions made by the editorial board and editor-in-chief are based solely on the academic merit of the manuscript, ensuring that all manuscripts are evaluated objectively and fairly.
Conflict of Interest: Editors must disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from reviewing or making decisions on manuscripts where a potential conflict exists. This includes personal, financial, or professional relationships that could bias their judgment.
2. Manuscript Submission and Peer Review
Submission Process: Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission system. Authors are required to follow the Author Guidelines and submit the necessary documents, including a cover letter, manuscript, and supplementary materials (e.g., figures, tables, supplementary files).
Peer Review: ABS Humanities and Social Sciences Letters employs a double-blind peer review system. Both the authors’ and reviewers’ identities are kept confidential to eliminate bias.
Manuscripts are sent to two independent experts in the relevant field for review.
Reviewers assess the manuscript’s originality, relevance, methodology, and contribution to the field, providing detailed feedback.
Based on reviewer comments, the editorial team makes the final decision on whether the manuscript is accepted, revised, or rejected.
Review Timeliness: The typical time for review is 4-6 weeks. Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews within the specified timeframe to avoid delays in the publication process.
3. Decision-Making Process
Acceptance Criteria: Manuscripts are assessed based on their scientific quality, clarity, and contribution to the field. Manuscripts must present original research that advances knowledge in the humanities and social sciences.
Manuscripts that meet these criteria will be considered for acceptance.
If the manuscript requires minor or major revisions, authors will be asked to address reviewer comments and resubmit the revised manuscript.
Rejection: Manuscripts may be rejected if they do not meet the journal’s scope, quality, or academic standards. Rejection may also occur if:
The manuscript contains significant ethical concerns, including plagiarism or data falsification.
The manuscript is too similar to previous work or lacks originality.
The manuscript does not sufficiently contribute to the existing literature.
4. Publication Ethics
Adherence to Ethical Guidelines: Journal of Human-Social Nexus adheres to the ethical guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We are committed to publishing research that meets the highest ethical standards, including proper citation of sources, adherence to ethical research practices, and transparency in research methodology.
Plagiarism: Manuscripts are checked for plagiarism using plagiarism detection software. Plagiarism or self-plagiarism will result in immediate rejection.
Fabrication and Falsification: Authors must not fabricate or manipulate data, images, or results. Manuscripts containing fabricated or falsified data will be rejected.
Ethics Approval: Research involving human participants or animals must have received ethical approval from the relevant institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. Authors must include a statement of ethics approval and informed consent (if applicable).
Conflict of Interest: Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect the impartiality of the review and decision-making process.
5. Authorship and Acknowledgments
Authorship: All authors must have made substantial contributions to the manuscript’s conception, design, data acquisition, or analysis. Only those who meet the authorship criteria should be listed as authors, and all authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission.
Corresponding Author: The corresponding author is responsible for communicating with the journal during the editorial process and handling all communication between the authors and the editorial team.
Acknowledgments: Authors must acknowledge any individuals, organizations, or funding bodies that have supported the research. This includes acknowledging financial support, technical assistance, or intellectual contributions that do not meet the authorship criteria.
6. Handling of Plagiarism and Ethical Violations
Plagiarism Detection: Journal of Human-Social Nexus uses plagiarism detection software to ensure that all manuscripts are free from plagiarism and self-plagiarism. If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript will be rejected, and the author(s) will be informed.
Duplicate Publication: Manuscripts that have been published elsewhere, in whole or in part, or are under simultaneous submission to another journal, will be rejected.
Post-Publication Misconduct: If misconduct is detected after publication, such as data falsification or ethical violations, the article will be retracted or corrected, and the issue will be communicated with the wider community.
In cases of severe misconduct, the authors may be banned from submitting future manuscripts to the journal.
7. Retractions and Corrections
Retractions: Articles may be retracted if they contain major errors, misconduct, or ethical violations (e.g., data fabrication, plagiarism). A retraction notice will be published, explaining the reason for the retraction and ensuring transparency.
Corrections: Articles with minor errors (e.g., typographical mistakes, citation issues) will be corrected through an erratum or corrigendum. A notice will be issued to inform readers of the correction.
8. Open Access and Copyright
Open Access: All articles in Journal of Human-Social Nexus are published under a Creative Commons (CC) license to ensure unrestricted access to the global academic community.
Authors retain copyright over their work, but they must grant the journal the right to publish and distribute the article under the open access model.
Article Processing Charge (APC): The journal charges an APC of $1200 for each accepted article, which helps cover the costs of editorial, peer review, and publication services. The APC is waived until December 2028 for all accepted articles.
9. Timeliness and Publication Frequency
Publication Frequency: Journal of Human-Social Nexus publishes four issues per year (March, June, September, December) under a continuous publication model. Articles are published online first as soon as they are ready, and later compiled into quarterly issues.
Timely Publishing: We aim to complete the review process and publish articles promptly. The typical timeline from submission to publication is 8-10 weeks, with revisions contributing to a longer process.
10. Appeals Process
Appeals Against Editorial Decisions: If authors disagree with an editorial decision (e.g., rejection or major revisions), they may appeal to the editor-in-chief. Authors must submit a written appeal, explaining the reasons for the appeal and any supporting arguments.
Fair Consideration: The editor-in-chief will review the appeal and consult the editorial board if needed. A final decision will be made based on the manuscript’s academic merit and compliance with the journal’s standards.
11. Transparency and Accountability
Transparency: Journal of Human-Social Nexus aims for complete transparency in all stages of the editorial and publishing process. Authors, reviewers, and editors must adhere to the highest ethical standards, ensuring fair and unbiased decisions.
Accountability: All parties involved in the publishing process are accountable for upholding the integrity of the journal. Authors, reviewers, and editors are responsible for ensuring that research is conducted ethically and that all published work is accurate and reliable.
The Editorial Policies of Journal of Human-Social Nexus are designed to maintain academic integrity, transparency, and fairness throughout the editorial and publishing process. By following these policies, the journal ensures that it remains a trusted platform for high-quality, ethical research in the humanities and social sciences, contributing to the global academic community.
