Publication Ethics and Code of Conduct

Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance (SJSP)

Preamble

The Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance (SJSP) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. This policy aligns with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices (2017) and Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects and applies to all parties involved in the publication process.

 

1. Code of Conduct for Authors
   • Reporting Standards: Present accurate, objective research with sufficient detail for replication.
   • Originality and Plagiarism: Submit only original work; properly cite all sources.
   • Multiple or Redundant Publication: Do not submit or publish the same research in more than one journal.
   • Acknowledgment of Sources: Cite all influential works.
   • Authorship: Include only those who made significant contributions; all co-authors must approve the final manuscript.
   • Hazards: Clearly identify any unusual hazards in the manuscript.
   • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Declare all financial or personal conflicts and funding sources.
   • Corrections: Notify the editor promptly if errors are discovered post-publication.

 

2. Code of Conduct for Reviewers
   • Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Provide constructive feedback to assist editors and authors.
   • Timeliness: Respond promptly and complete reviews within deadlines.
   • Confidentiality: Treat manuscripts as confidential documents.
   • Objectivity: Offer impartial, respectful, and well-supported evaluations.
   • Acknowledgment of Sources: Identify uncited relevant work and alert editors to overlaps.
   • Conflicts of Interest: Decline reviews where conflicts exist; maintain confidentiality.
   • Ethical Conduct: Misconduct such as misuse of information or intentional delays will be addressed seriously.

 

3. Code of Conduct for Editors and Editorial Board
   • Publication Decisions: Base decisions on academic merit and reviewer recommendations.
   • Fair Play: Evaluate manuscripts without discrimination.
   • Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality throughout the review process.
   • Conflicts of Interest: Recuse from handling manuscripts where conflicts exist; ensure disclosure of competing interests.
   • Investigations: Respond promptly to allegations of misconduct and refer cases to institutions when necessary.

 

4. Journal Responsibilities

SJSP takes all reasonable measures to prevent research misconduct, including plagiarism, citation manipulation, and data falsification. Under no circumstances will SJSP or its editors encourage or knowingly permit such practices. Allegations of misconduct will be handled in accordance with COPE Core Practices (2017).

 

5. Policy on Retractions and Corrections
   • Purpose: To maintain the integrity of the scholarly record, SJSP follows COPE guidelines for corrections and retractions.
   • Types of Amendments:
     • Erratum: Minor errors not affecting conclusions.
     • Corrigendum: Significant author-identified errors impacting interpretation.
     • Retraction: Issued for plagiarism, data fabrication, unethical practices, duplicate publication, or errors invalidating findings.
     • Expression of Concern: Published when investigations are ongoing.
   • Process:
     • Initiation by authors, editors, or third parties.
     • Investigation by SJSP and, if necessary, institutions.
     • Retraction notice will state reasons, remain linked to the original article, and mark it as retracted without removal.
   • Author Responsibility: Notify editors of errors and cooperate fully.
   • Journal Responsibility: Act promptly, transparently, and in compliance with COPE standards.

 

6. Research Ethics Policy for Human Subjects
   • IRB Approval: All studies involving human participants must obtain prior approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee.
   • Informed Consent: Written informed consent is mandatory, explaining purpose, procedures, risks, and rights. For vulnerable populations, guardian consent and participant assent are required.
   • Privacy and Anonymity: Personal data must be anonymized and stored securely in compliance with data protection laws.
   • Risk Minimization: Research must minimize physical, psychological, and social risks, justified by potential benefits.
   • Compliance with Declaration of Helsinki: Studies must adhere to principles of beneficence, autonomy, and justice. Clinical trials must be registered in a public database.
   • Post-Study Responsibilities: Inform participants of results when appropriate and report adverse events promptly.

Reference: World Medical Association. Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. Adopted in 1964, last amended in 2013.

 

7. Disclaimer

The views expressed in published manuscripts are solely those of the authors. SJSP and its Editorial Board assume no responsibility for these statements. Authors are fully accountable for originality and accuracy.

All submissions undergo double-blind peer review and plagiarism screening using Turnitin. Manuscripts with more than 25% similarity to existing sources will be withdrawn. Manuscripts that contain more than 25% content generated using artificial intelligence tools will also be rejected.