Publication ethics · Ethical Review of Social Sciences

Editorial standards

ERSS follows recognised principles of transparency, editorial independence and responsible correction.

Submissions are assessed without discrimination on the basis of identity, nationality, institutional affiliation or viewpoint. The journal does not guarantee acceptance, expedited review or favourable treatment in exchange for payment, sponsorship or personal connection.

Authorship and contributions

Authorship requires a substantial contribution, participation in drafting or critical revision, approval of the final version and accountability for the work. Guest, gift and ghost authorship are prohibited. Contributor roles should be described using the CRediT taxonomy where appropriate.

Originality and overlapping publication

Manuscripts must not be under simultaneous consideration elsewhere. Authors must disclose preprints, closely related manuscripts, reused datasets and substantial overlap with prior work. Sources must be cited accurately; quotation and paraphrase must be clearly distinguished.

Human participants, consent and vulnerable groups

Research involving people, identifiable data or vulnerable communities must follow applicable law and institutional requirements. Authors must state the ethics approval or reason it was not required, explain consent procedures and describe safeguards for privacy, dignity and risk.

Data, code and materials

Articles should include a data availability statement. Where sharing is restricted, authors should explain the legal, ethical or contractual reason. Editors may request underlying materials for confidential examination when necessary to assess integrity.

Conflicts and funding

Authors, reviewers and editors must disclose financial, professional, personal or ideological interests that could reasonably be perceived to influence their work. Funding sources and the funder's role must be stated.

Corrections, expressions of concern and retractions

The journal corrects material errors and preserves a transparent record of changes. Serious concerns may lead to an expression of concern, retraction or removal only in exceptional legal or safety circumstances. Notices are linked to the affected article and explain the reason without defamatory language.

Complaints and appeals

Concerns should identify the record, decision or conduct at issue and provide relevant evidence. Complaints involving an editor are escalated to a person without the same conflict. Good-faith complainants and whistleblowers are treated confidentially to the extent possible.