Ethics Policy

  • This is a policy framework for publication in the Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (hereafter SJHSS). The journal is dedicated to creating a space for knowledge and the exchange of ideas and information.
  • SJHSS is committed to honouring the ethical imperatives of research publication and hence, has a sound ethics policy in place, discussed, reviewed, and approved by the Advisory and Editorial Boards, and thereby adopted by the Governing Body of Salesian College Sonada-Siliguri.
  • The ethical policies are reviewed and updated regularly as the scope and nature of research and publication advance.
  • In order to ensure ethical imperatives of research publication, SJHSS consults the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regulations and flowcharts. Every ethical policy as applicable to research and publication in the field of humanities and social sciences has been drafted in consultation with COPE regulations and recommendations adapted to the contextual realities and Limitations of Salesian College Sonada-Siliguri. Wherever necessary, references and links are provided to COPE flowcharts and regulations so that every stakeholder in the publication of SJHSS is informed of and trained in the ethical demands and procedural protocols. The COPE resources can be accessed at: https://publicationethics.org
Content Policy
  • Salesian Journal of Humanities and social sciences promotes and publishes research papers in Humanities and Social sciences whether disciplinary, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary. It aims to disseminate such contents which are socially relevant, locally need-based, nationally important and globally significant.
  • SJHSS respects freedom of speech, diversity of views and opinions. However, it refrains from publishing any content that compromises human dignity, gender sensitivity, national integrity, communal and or religious harmony. It declines to publish articles that are political, sectarian or propagandistic.
  • It upholds moral, cultural and religious values especially Christian values advocated and taught by the Catholic Church. Hence it does not undertake to publish anything that is contrary to Catholic faith and morals.
Publication & Management Policy
Submission Guidelines for Authors
  • SJHSS welcomes scholarly and original manuscripts that explore disciplinary/interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary ideas in humanities and social sciences. The Journal publishes empirical, theoretical, clinical, and historical articles, short notes, review articles, and book and film reviews that facilitate constructive reflection, critique, and dialogue in the service of contributing to knowledge generation and dissemination. English translation of scholarly and relevant articles previously published in another language is acceptable. Previously unpublished extended versions of humanities/social science conference proceedings are acceptable as well.
  • SJHSS is international in scope, and articles related to any theme under humanities and social sciences are welcome. However, it actively encourages and especially welcomes research focused on North Bengal and the Himalayan region of India, as part of the commitment of Salesian College Sonada-Siliguri towards furthering research on this part of India.
  • SJHSS has well-articulated and streamlined Submission Guidelines for authors. It can be accessed as well as downloaded here
Conduct and Presentation of Research
  • SJHSS accepts a research paper only if it has been conducted following the universally accepted standards of research.
  • SJHSS requires the authors to ensure and acknowledge that the research was conducted following sound ethical policies and procedures, especially honouring the DNH (Do No Harm) principle.
  • The research must be socially relevant, locally need-based, nationally important and globally significant as recommended by STRIDE. It must be presented with transparency, responsibility, and accountability.
  • SJHSS has well-articulated, streamlined, and detailed Research & Presentation Guidelines for authors included as Section B of the document containing guidelines for authors.
Authorship, Contributorship, Conflict of Interest
  • SJHSS takes seriously ethical imperatives concerning authorship, contributorship, and issues of conflict of interest. Please see the detailed policy directives regarding these areas in Section C of the document/section dealing with Guidelines for Authors.
Peer Review Policy and Process
  • SJHSS follows a double-blind peer twin review policy. It consists of two independent scrutinies by peer review teams.
  • Every full-length paper submitted is subject to plagiarism-check. On successfully clearing the check, the paper is sent for peer teams reviews. The first peer team will review the article for linguistic, technical and methodological quality and accuracy. Then it will be handed over to the second peer team for review of content quality and relevance.
  • SJHSS has a Roster of Peer Reviewers. A given manuscript is matched with a reviewer from the Roster based on the goodness of fit of the subject-matter of the paper with the area of expertise of the reviewer. If no matching reviewer is available on the Roster, a matching Reviewer outside the Roster is sought and his or her service is requested on an ad hoc basis.
  • The Review policy and procedural details of the double-blind twin peer review process adopted by SJHSS can be downloaded here https://publications.salesiancollege.net/peer-review-policy/
  • Instructions to the Peer Reviewers can be downloaded here https://publications.salesiancollege.net/guidelines-for-peer-reviewers/
Allegations of Misconduct
  • Research and publication misconduct includes, among other things, the following: plagiarism, citation and/or reference manipulation, data falsification, data fabrication, violation of DNH (Do No Harm), ethical non-compliance, simultaneous submission, conflict of interest-related issues not revealed and accounted for, guest/ gift/ ghost authorships, etc.
  • Plagiarism is normally checked by the use of a recognized software. If the test fails, the manuscript is rejected. If some plagiarism is noted after the paper has been accepted, the Editor will bring it to the attention of the authors and ask them to rectify the error in ways free of plagiarism. If the author refuses to comply, the manuscript will be rejected.
  • For any misconduct identified, the procedural formalities as recommended in the specific flowcharts provided by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) will be consulted in order to arrive at a viable solution in the given context and within its limitations.
  • In all matters, respect for the dignity of the persons involved and the levels of confidentiality required by the matter will be honoured.
Complaints and Appeals
  • The editorial decision on matters related to the publication of an article is final.
  • However, in case of any complaint or appeal against the editorial decision that, in the fair assessment by the in-house editorial team, has merit and needs a review, will be referred to an Appeals Committee of 3 members from the Editorial Board, chosen by the Chief Editor. The decision by the Appeals Committee will be binding.
  • If the Appeals Committee cannot resolve the issue, the Chief Editor will refer the matter to a 3-member Higher Appeals Committee chosen from the Advisory Board, whose decision will be the final word.
  • The Appeals Committee, as well as the Higher Appeals Committee, is free to seek advice and consultation from experts outside the Boards.
  • In all such matters, the procedural formalities as recommended in the specific flowcharts provided by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) will be consulted in order to arrive at a viable solution in the given context and within its limitations.
  • In all matters, respect for the dignity of the persons involved and the levels of confidentiality required by the matter will be honoured.

Salesian College, Sonada was accredited by NAAC on 16 September 2004 and was given the Grade C++ (Institutional Score between 65-70%). On 26 February 2010 Salesian College has been conferred the status of a College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) by UGC, New Delhi, and into its 2nd Cycle from 1st April 2014. In March 2012, the College was re-accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ Grade (CGPA of 3.16 out of 4) to be the first College to receive such grade under the University of North Bengal.

The College retained its A Grade under the New stringent Format of Accreditation in May 2019 and it is valid till 2024.

Salesian Publications, Salesian Research Institute, and Salesian Translation Centre offer opportunities for capacity building for aspiring teaching and research personnel of the region. Salesian College Extension Activities Centre has trained and placed over 600 youth of the region in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and Don Bosco Tech, New Delhi. Salesian College invites young people and their parents to partner in nurturing an ideal society.

CONTACT INFO

Salesian Journal of ‘Humanities and Social Sciences'

Salesian College, Siliguri Campus, Don Bosco Road, Post Box No – 73 P.O. : Siliguri – 734001, West Bengal, India.

Email

Executive Editor: editor@salesiancollege.net
Chief Editor: principal@salesiancollege.net
For Submission: sjhss@salesiancollege.ac.in

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