The International Journal of Social World (IJSW) is committed to maintaining editorial independence, transparency, fairness, and integrity throughout the publication process. This policy is informed by relevant guidance and Core Practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), where applicable.

Editorial decisions should be based on the scholarly quality, relevance, originality, methodological soundness, integrity, and ethical acceptability of the work. In the context of social sciences and social research, this includes appropriate consideration of research design, data interpretation, the treatment of human participants, and the responsible reporting of findings. Such decisions should not be improperly influenced by commercial, personal, institutional, or financial interests.

Independence in Editorial Decision-Making

IJSW recognizes that the journal, publisher, editors, or affiliated organizations may have interests that could create an actual or perceived conflict. Where an institutional or organizational interest could reasonably affect an editorial decision, IJSW will seek to manage the situation in a manner that protects the independence and integrity of the editorial process.

Editorial decisions should not be made primarily for:

• Commercial or financial benefit
• Personal relationships or interests
• Institutional pressure
• The social, political, or ideological views expressed in a manuscript, where these are unrelated to its scholarly quality and ethical acceptability
• Other inappropriate considerations unrelated to the scholarly and ethical assessment of the work

Publisher's Role

Scholar Unity, as the publisher of IJSW, supports the journal's editorial and operational functions but does not influence individual editorial decisions. Editorial judgment on the acceptance, rejection, or revision of manuscripts rests solely with the editors and editorial board.

Editorial assessments of submissions concerning sociology, social structures, community studies, social policy, human behaviour, surveys, interviews, and other areas of social research should be guided by the manuscript's scholarly merits and relevant ethical considerations rather than the publisher's commercial, institutional, or other unrelated interests.

Editors and Editorial Board Members

Editors and editorial board members must maintain independence and impartiality when handling manuscripts. An editor should disclose and, where appropriate, recuse themselves from handling a manuscript where a conflict could reasonably affect their editorial judgment.

When assessing manuscripts involving human participants, communities, or sensitive social issues, editors should evaluate relevant ethical considerations objectively and consistently. Decisions should not be improperly influenced by an author's institutional affiliation, personal relationships, professional status, or the subject matter's social or political sensitivity.

Managing Conflicts

IJSW seeks to protect confidential information while maintaining appropriate transparency in its editorial procedures. Where a conflict of interest may affect editorial judgment, IJSW will take appropriate steps to protect the integrity and independence of the editorial process.

Conflicts may arise from personal relationships, institutional affiliations, financial interests, professional collaborations, or other circumstances that could reasonably affect impartial judgment. In social research, editors should also remain alert to circumstances in which relationships with research participants, communities, organizations, or institutions could create concerns requiring appropriate editorial consideration.

Specific requirements concerning conflicts of interest are addressed in the Conflict of Interest Policy.

Reconsideration and Appeals

Concerns regarding editorial independence or potential conflicts affecting an editorial decision may be submitted for reconsideration with a clear explanation and any relevant supporting information. IJSW may review the matter and, where appropriate, seek additional information or independent advice.

Requests for reconsideration should address relevant editorial or procedural concerns, such as an alleged conflict of interest, an error in the assessment process, or a failure to consider relevant scholarly or ethical information. Disagreement with an editorial decision alone does not necessarily establish that the decision was improper.

Formal appeals are handled in accordance with the Complaints and Appeals Policy.

Policy Review