Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement for Societies & Sustainability (SAS)

1. Introduction
At Societies & Sustainability (SAS), we are committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and preventing any form of academic misconduct. Our policies are guided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards to ensure transparency, integrity, and fairness throughout the publication process. This statement outlines the key ethical principles and responsibilities for authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

2. Responsibilities of Authors

2.1. Originality and Plagiarism. Authors are expected to submit only original works. Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and duplicate submissions are strictly prohibited. All submissions are checked for plagiarism using specialized software. Any manuscript found to contain plagiarized content will be rejected immediately.

2.2. Authorship and Contribution. All individuals listed as authors should have significantly contributed to the research, analysis, or writing of the manuscript. Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged in the 'Acknowledgments' section. Any disputes regarding authorship should be resolved prior to submission.

2.3. Data Accuracy and Reproducibility. Authors must ensure that their research data is accurate, reliable, and reproducible. Any falsification or fabrication of data will result in the immediate rejection of the manuscript. Raw data supporting the findings should be made available if requested by editors or reviewers.

2.4. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest. Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that may influence the results or interpretation of their work. A dedicated 'Conflict of Interest' statement must be included in every manuscript submission.

2.5. Ethical Approvals. Research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive datasets must comply with relevant ethical standards and obtain formal ethics approval from an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. Authors must provide evidence of ethical clearance when applicable.

2.6. Retractions and Corrections. If errors, inaccuracies, or unethical practices are identified in a published article, the authors must notify the editorial office immediately. Retractions, corrections, or updates will be issued in accordance with COPE guidelines.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality, transparency, and fairness of the peer-review process. Their specific responsibilities are detailed in our dedicated page on reviewer duties.

For more information, please visit: Reviewers Responsibilities

4. Responsibilities of Editors
Editors are responsible for ensuring fair editorial oversight, promoting ethical publishing, and maintaining transparency throughout the peer-review process. Their specific duties are outlined in detail on our dedicated editorial responsibilities page.

For more information, please visit: Editors Responsibilities

5. Responsibilities of the Publisher

5.1. Ethical Publication Practices. The publisher ensures that the entire editorial process complies with ethical publishing standards. SWS Scholarly Society Vienna, as the publisher of SAS, supports editors, authors, and reviewers by providing guidelines, tools, and ethical support.

5.2. Digital Preservation and Archiving. The publisher ensures the long-term preservation of published articles using systems like LOCKSS and PKP-PLN. This ensures content is available even if the journal or publisher ceases operations.

5.3. Legal Compliance. The publisher ensures that published content complies with intellectual property laws, privacy laws, and ethical publishing standards. Legal issues, such as retractions and corrections, are managed transparently in accordance with COPE guidelines.

6. Addressing Misconduct and Ethical Violations

6.1. Reporting Misconduct. If ethical misconduct is identified (e.g., plagiarism, falsification, or other violations), any party (reviewers, editors, or readers) may report it to the editorial office at [email protected]. Allegations will be reviewed in line with COPE procedures.

6.2. Investigation of Misconduct. The editor-in-chief will review ethical breach reports. If the misconduct is confirmed, appropriate action will be taken, which may include:

• Requesting an explanation from the authors.
• Issuing a formal correction or retraction of the article.
• Notifying affected institutions or funders.

6.3. Retractions and Corrections. When ethical violations (e.g., plagiarism or major errors) are discovered after publication, the publisher will issue one of the following:

• Correction Notice: For minor errors that do not affect the validity of the research.
• Retraction Notice: For serious issues such as falsified data, major errors, or unethical practices.
• Editorial Note of Concern: When an investigation is ongoing, but no conclusive decision has been made.

7. Compliance with COPE Guidelines

Societies & Sustainability (SAS) fully adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in academic publishing. Our publication ethics statement is designed to protect the integrity of scientific research and ensure that authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers operate under the highest ethical standards.

For more information, contact the editorial office at email: [email protected]

By publishing with Societies & Sustainability (SAS), authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers agree to comply with these ethical principles. Any violations of these principles will be addressed in accordance with COPE guidelines to protect the integrity and credibility of scientific research.