Conflicts of Interest / Competing Interests Policy

Conflict of Interest Policy

Digital Social Sciences is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and impartiality throughout the publication process. The journal recognizes that conflicts of interest, whether actual, potential, or perceived, may influence scholarly judgment and undermine confidence in research findings, peer review, or editorial decisions. To safeguard the credibility of published work, all participants in the publication process are required to disclose any relationships or interests that could reasonably be viewed as affecting their objectivity.

This policy applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial board members. By engaging with the journal, all parties agree to comply with the principles outlined in this policy and to disclose relevant interests in a timely and transparent manner.

The journal follows internationally recognized ethical standards and best practices promoted by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

Definition of a Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest exists when professional judgment concerning the conduct, evaluation, interpretation, or publication of research may be influenced, or appear to be influenced, by secondary interests. Such interests may arise from:

  • Financial relationships or funding arrangements
  • Employment, consultancy, or advisory positions
  • Institutional affiliations
  • Personal or family relationships
  • Academic rivalry or competitive interests
  • Political, ideological, or professional commitments

Both actual and perceived conflicts should be disclosed to ensure transparency and maintain trust in the scholarly record.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are expected to disclose any circumstances that could be viewed as influencing the research, its interpretation, or its presentation.

Authors must:

  • Include a clear Conflict of Interest Statement within the manuscript at the time of submission.
  • Disclose all financial, professional, institutional, or personal relationships relevant to the submitted work.
  • Ensure that all co-authors agree with the disclosed information.
  • Promptly notify the editorial office if a conflict arises after submission or publication.

Failure to provide accurate disclosures may lead to editorial action, including manuscript rejection, publication of a correction, issuance of an expression of concern, or retraction where appropriate.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and integrity of scholarly communication and must conduct reviews objectively and independently.

Reviewers are required to:

  • Inform the editorial office of any potential conflicts before accepting a review invitation.
  • Decline review assignments when a conflict could compromise impartial judgment.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of all manuscript materials and associated communications.
  • Refrain from using unpublished information for personal or professional advantage.
  • Evaluate manuscripts solely on scholarly merit, methodological rigor, and relevance.

Reviewers with significant conflicts of interest must not participate in the assessment of affected submissions.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors and editorial board members are responsible for ensuring that editorial decisions are made fairly, consistently, and without undue influence.

Editors must:

  • Disclose any personal, professional, financial, or institutional interests that may affect their objectivity.
  • Withdraw from editorial handling of manuscripts where a conflict exists or may reasonably be perceived.
  • Ensure that submissions are evaluated exclusively on academic quality, originality, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal's scope.
  • Avoid preferential treatment based on authorship, affiliation, nationality, gender, or personal relationships.
  • Refrain from participating in decisions concerning their own submissions or those of close collaborators.

When necessary, editorial responsibility will be delegated to another qualified editor to preserve the integrity of the review process.

Disclosure and Management Procedures

All disclosed conflicts are reviewed by the editorial office and, where appropriate, additional measures may be implemented to manage potential bias.

Such measures may include:

  • Appointment of alternative editors or reviewers
  • Independent assessment by additional experts
  • Publication of conflict disclosures alongside the article
  • Enhanced editorial oversight during decision-making

The purpose of these measures is to promote transparency and fairness while preserving academic independence and freedom of inquiry.

Undisclosed Conflicts Identified After Publication

If a previously undisclosed conflict of interest is identified after publication, Digital Social Sciences will investigate the matter in accordance with established ethical guidelines and relevant COPE recommendations.

Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Publish a correction or clarification
  • Issue an editorial expression of concern
  • Retract the article when warranted
  • Notify relevant institutions, funding bodies, or other stakeholders

All investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with accepted principles of publication ethics.

Commitment to Transparency

Digital Social Sciences considers the disclosure and responsible management of conflicts of interest essential to preserving the integrity of scholarly communication. The journal encourages openness and transparency from all participants and remains committed to maintaining a fair, unbiased, and trustworthy publication process.