Author Guidelines
Thank you for considering Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR) for your manuscript submission. GSSR is a peer-reviewed journal that aims to publish high-quality research within its area of publication.
Please carefully review the following submission guidelines before submitting your manuscript.
- The submission shall not be previously published, nor submitted to another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
- All manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the form available at our website https://humaglobe.com/index.php/gssr/login
- Articles shall be in MS-Word (2016 or higher) duly formatted according to the guidelines and publication policy of the GSSR.
- Where available, URLs for the references shall be provided.
- Only Electronic submission (Soft Form) of manuscripts is accepted, and the corresponding text, tables, and figures shall be drafted in a single Microsoft Word file
- The Contributor have to register him/herself before submitting the Manuscript.
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Title: The title of the article should be bold, centered and typed in capital letters (in 13 point) Times New Roman Font.
Author(s) Details: These author(s) details should be in (10 point) Times New Roman Font and should be centered below the title.
- Full Name, Designation, Name of the Organization, City, State, and Country.
- E-mail ID.
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Corresponding Author: Clearly indicate who is willing to handle correspondence at all stages of refereeing, publication and also post-publication. Ensure that telephone numbers (with country and area code) are provided in addition to the e-mail address and the complete postal address.
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Abstract: All manuscripts must be accompanied by a brief abstract. Abstract should not exceed 150 words. It should be properly formatted as justified in italicized text in Times New Roman Font (9 point). It should highlight Research Background, Methodology, Major Finding(s) and Conclusion in brief.
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Key Words: Authors must mention 3-10 keywords. Keywords should be listed alphabetically, separated by commas, and full stop at the end.
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Word Count: The length of the paper should not exceed the maximum limit of the words i.e. 7000 words (Minimum 3500 Words). Paper containing more than 7000 words will be returned to the author(s) for abridgement. Articles should be typed in double-space (including footnotes and references) on one side of the paper only (preferably A4) with wide margins. Authors are urged to write as concisely as possible, but not at the expense of clarity.
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Page Setup: Size of the page should have 7 inches Width and 9.5 inches Height with 1- inch margin on all four sides. Header and Footer Layout should be 0.5 inches from edge.
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Subdivision of the Manuscript: Authors are hereby advised to clearly divide their articles / manuscripts into defined and numbered sections. Sub-sections should also be numbered like 1., 2., (then 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2), 1.2, etc. (except the abstract which is not included in section numbering).
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Tables and Figures/Images: All important tables and figures/images should be incorporated into the body of the paper. Heading of the Table should be in Times New Roman, Bold, 10 Points and 0.25 inches indent (Left). Heading of the Figure/Images Should also be of the same specifications as Tables but below the Image/Figure and Centrally Aligned.
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Formula: The text size of the formula, if any, should be similar to the normal text size of the manuscript.
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References: All references should be listed alphabetically at end of the article using APA reference style only.
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Citations in the Text: Kindly make sure that every reference cited in the text should also be presented in the reference list and vice versa. Authors should avoid using citations in the abstract of the manuscript. Personal communications and unpublished results should not be included in the reference list at the end of the manuscript but may be presented in the text. ‘In Press’ articles’ citation of a reference means that the work has been accepted for publication somewhere.
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Citing and Listing of Web References: Wherever an author faces a problem of citation of a web reference, please include the full URL as a minimum. Any other information, if known to the author, should also be presented. This information may be about the author names, dates and reference to a source publication etc. For convenience of the authors and readers, web references can also be listed separately (for instance after the reference list) under the separate head if so desired by the author(s), or it can obviously be included in the reference list.
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Text in References: Authors are advised to follow the referencing style used by American Psychological Association (APA), 7th edition. They can refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), Seventh Edition, on http://www.apastyle.org/manual/index.aspx.
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Author(s) Biography: Every author must submit a brief biography, a photograph along with the Copyright Agreement form.
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Sponsoring Information: If the submitted research work is sponsored or supported in any way by an organization or an NGO, please mention it clearly.
Publication Ethical Policy
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Originality and Plagiarism:
- Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are original works and have not been published elsewhere. Any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.
- Proper citations must be provided for any content derived from other sources.
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Multiple or Redundant Publications:
- Authors should not submit the same research to more than one journal simultaneously. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals constitutes unethical publishing behavior.
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Data Accuracy and Falsification:
- Authors must present accurate and truthful data in their manuscripts. Fabrication, manipulation, or falsification of data is considered unethical and unacceptable.
- Authors should be prepared to provide raw data for editorial review if requested.
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Acknowledgment of Sources:
- Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in shaping their research.
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Authorship of the Manuscript:
- Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study.
- All contributors who do not meet the authorship criteria should be acknowledged in the “Acknowledgments” section.
- The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors have seen and approved the final manuscript and have agreed to its submission for publication.
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Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest:
- All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be perceived as influencing their research (conflicts of interest). Funding sources must also be disclosed.
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Human and Animal Rights:
- Authors conducting research involving human participants or animals must ensure that the study follows ethical standards, including obtaining appropriate institutional approvals.
- A statement confirming that ethical standards were met must be included in the manuscript.
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Corrections and Retractions:
- If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they are required to promptly notify the journal editor and cooperate in retracting or correcting the paper.
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Publication Decisions: The editor-in-chief has full authority over the editorial content and publication decisions. Editors are responsible for deciding which of the submitted manuscripts will be published based on their academic merit and alignment with the journal’s scope.
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Fair Play: Editors must evaluate manuscripts for their intellectual content without regard to the authors’ race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.
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Confidentiality: Editors must ensure the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and not disclose any information about a manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, or other editorial advisers.
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Conflicts of Interest: Editors should not be involved in decisions about manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest, whether through competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers.
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Ethical Concerns and Investigations:
- Editors should take reasonable steps to identify and prevent the publication of papers where research misconduct has occurred, including plagiarism, citation manipulation, and data falsification.
- If ethical concerns are raised about a submitted manuscript or published paper, editors will follow COPE’s flowcharts to investigate and take appropriate action, which may include issuing a correction, retraction, or other notes.
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Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat the manuscripts they receive for review as confidential documents. They must not share or discuss the manuscript with anyone outside of the review process.
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Objectivity: Reviews must be conducted objectively, and reviewers must express their views clearly with supporting arguments. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate.
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Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. If reviewers notice any substantial similarity between the manuscript under review and any other published paper, they should report it to the editor.
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Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers.
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Timeliness: Reviewers should complete their reviews within the specified timeline. If they are unable to do so, they should inform the editor promptly and excuse themselves from the review process.
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Editorial Independence: The publisher is committed to ensuring that editorial decisions are based on academic merit and are free from external influence. The publisher does not interfere with the editorial process or decisions made by the editorial board.
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Ethical Oversight: The publisher ensures that the journal adheres to ethical standards for research integrity, plagiarism prevention, and conflict of interest management. The publisher works closely with COPE to address any ethical issues that arise.
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Corrections and Retractions: In cases of proven scientific misconduct, plagiarism, or fraudulent publication, the publisher, in collaboration with the editor, will take appropriate measures to correct or retract the affected paper.
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Archiving and Access: The publisher ensures that content published in GSSR is securely archived and freely accessible in compliance with the journal’s open-access policy.
If ethical misconduct is detected in a submission to Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR), the journal follows the procedures outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to address the issue. Below are the steps that are typically taken in such cases:
- Investigation of the Misconduct
- Initial Assessment: Upon detecting or receiving a report of possible ethical misconduct, the editor-in-chief, along with the editorial board, will conduct an initial assessment to determine the validity of the claim.
- Confidential Inquiry: The parties involved (authors, reviewers, etc.) will be notified confidentially, and further information or clarification may be requested from them.
- Cooperation with Institutions: In cases of severe misconduct, such as fabrication of data or plagiarism, the editor may contact the author’s institution or research body to seek their assistance in investigating the matter.
- Possible Outcomes: Depending on the severity of the ethical breach, the following actions may be taken:
- For Minor Misconduct (e.g., Minor Plagiarism or Misattribution of Citations):
- Author Notification: The author may be contacted and asked to revise the manuscript to correct the issue (e.g., properly cite sources).
- Correction in Published Article: If the paper has already been published, a correction or clarification may be issued.
- For Major Misconduct (e.g., Fabrication of Data, Substantial Plagiarism):
- Rejection Before Publication: If misconduct is detected during the review process, the manuscript will be rejected outright.
- Retraction of Published Paper: If a paper has already been published, and the misconduct is confirmed, GSSR will retract the article. A retraction notice will be issued, explaining the reasons for the retraction, and the paper will remain available with a clear retraction label.
- Ban on Future Submissions: Authors found guilty of serious misconduct may be banned from submitting to GSSR in the future.
- Notification of Affected Parties: The editor will notify the author’s institution, funding agencies, and possibly other relevant bodies to address the ethical breach.
- For Minor Misconduct (e.g., Minor Plagiarism or Misattribution of Citations):
- Retraction and Correction Procedures
- Retraction Notice: In the case of retraction, GSSR will issue a formal retraction notice that details the reasons for the retraction, ensuring transparency for readers.
- Corrections and Errata: For less severe cases where corrections are sufficient (e.g., unintentional errors or misreporting), an erratum or correction may be issued without retracting the paper.
- Appeals Process
- Opportunity to Respond: Authors accused of misconduct will be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. The journal will consider the author’s defense before making a final decision.
- Appeal: If authors disagree with the decision, they may submit an appeal. The journal will review the appeal and, if warranted, re-investigate the case with appropriate evidence.
- 5. Transparency and Integrity
- Public Disclosure: Any actions taken regarding ethical misconduct, such as retraction or correction, will be communicated clearly to the public to maintain transparency and the journal's integrity.
- Prevention: GSSR uses tools like plagiarism detection software to prevent ethical misconduct before publication.
- Guidance from COPE: For all ethical issues, GSSR follows the COPE guidelines and flowcharts, ensuring that decisions are fair, transparent, and consistent with best practices in scholarly publishing.
Publication Charges Policy
While authors are generally responsible for paying publication charges, they can often seek financial support from their institutions or funders. These entities may cover publication costs through various means, such as establishing an Open Access (OA) fund, including it as part of their general funding, or covering fees through a membership model.
To support sustainable open access publishing, there are several strategies for handling publication charges. Typically, these costs are covered by the author's institution or research funder. However, for authors or researchers without access to sufficient funding, innovative solutions are available. For example, Cogent OA (Taylor & Francis-Informa Group) introduced the "Freedom Article Publishing Charges" model. This approach allows authors to contribute whatever amount they can towards their publication fees in an open access journal.
GSSR has adopted a similar model specifically for PhD scholars, MS/MPhil scholars, and undergraduate students. Under this "Freedom APC" model, eligible individuals who lack funding can pay what they are able. This initiative aims to support and encourage young researchers in Pakistan by making it easier for them to publish their work.
Article submission is totally free. Once the article has been submitted, the author will be awarded with acknowledgment letter-a receipt of receiving the article. Then the article will go through the Pre-Editorial review that is totally free of cost. Pre-Editorial review meant to check up and scrutinize the submitted article on the very basic criteria of GSSR Publishing Policy, it includes:
- Scope
- Non-Repository Turnitin Originality (10 % or below than 10)
- Basic Format (Authors' Strength and Citation Style etc.)
- Abstract and Key Words
It constitutes about 45% of the whole process' charges. For permanent, instant, all-inclusive and worldwide access to the full article text the Publication Charges covers:
- Editorial Work:Administrative support, commissioning content, editorial layout, journal development, and correspondence with the authors, reviewers and referees.
- Review and Evaluation:Editorial review, double-blind peer review, final evaluation (02 international and 01 national referee)
- Technical Infrastructure and Innovation:Development, maintenance and operation of online journal system and websites and coordination among the editorial board.
- Production of Articles:Formatting and mark-up of articles.
Note: Article Processing Charges (Pre-Acceptance) - APC-1 does not depict the acceptance of the article for publication by any means.
It constitutes about 55% of the whole process' charges. This Publication Charges covers
- Marketing of Journal and Content:Making sure readers and authors know about the work published in the title
- Promotion on Various Mediums:Content advertising via various world recognized research forums and groups, data bases, research soft wares and social media
- Customer Service:Responding to authors and readers
- Circulation:Published contents circulation in the relevant circles for enhancing citations
- Production of Articles:Inclusion in abstracting, indexing, aggregating, linking, uploading in world class reputable research databases, directories and bibliographies.
If an author would like their article to be published under a gold open access model, but cannot afford the APC, then individual waiver requests are considered on a case-to-case basis and may be granted in cases of genuine need. Authors who are eligible for such concession include those who have won any national excellence award, Undergraduates with quality Manuscript, orphans, special person, handicapped and those whose parents or siblings are martyred/affected by war on terror.
For any queries please feel free to contact via
Email:info@gssrjournal.com
Mobile: +92-332-9147-618
Plagiarism Policy
Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism undermines the credibility of scholarly research and the academic publishing process. To uphold the integrity of published work, GSSR enforces a strict plagiarism policy.
Definition of Plagiarism: Plagiarism involves using someone else’s work, ideas, or expressions without proper acknowledgment, presenting them as one’s own. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Copying Text: Directly copying text from other sources without quotation marks and proper citation.
- Paraphrasing: Rewriting someone else’s ideas or findings without proper acknowledgment.
- Unacknowledged Use of Data: Using data, figures, or tables from other sources without appropriate attribution.
- Self-Plagiarism: Reusing one’s own previously published work without proper citation and permission.
- GSSR Threshold: GSSR maintains a strict plagiarism threshold of 10%. Manuscripts exceeding this limit will be considered for rejection or require substantial revision.
- HEC Threshold: For comparison, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has a higher threshold of 19%. However, GSSR’s policy is more stringent to ensure the highest standards of academic integrity.
- Plagiarism Detection Tools: All submissions to GSSR are screened for plagiarism using advanced detection software to identify similarities with existing literature.
- Author Responsibility: Authors are required to ensure that their submissions are free from plagiarism and properly cite all sources of information and ideas.
- Initial Review: If plagiarism is suspected, the manuscript will undergo an initial review by the editor to assess the extent of the issue.
- Verification: The suspected plagiarism will be verified by comparing the manuscript with the identified sources. Authors may be asked to provide explanations or additional information if necessary.
- Minor Plagiarism: For minor cases of plagiarism, such as inadequate citation or unintentional errors, authors will be required to make corrections before publication. The manuscript may be returned for revision and resubmission.
- Major Plagiarism: In cases of significant or deliberate plagiarism, the manuscript will be rejected, and the authors will be notified. If the manuscript has already been published, a retraction notice will be issued, and the paper will be removed from the journal’s archives.
- Repeated Offenses: Authors found guilty of repeated or severe plagiarism may be banned from submitting future work to GSSR. Additionally, the editor may inform the author’s affiliated institution or funding body.
Originality Statement: Authors are required to submit a statement of originality confirming that their manuscript is free from plagiarism and that all sources of information have been properly cited.
Right to Appeal: Authors who believe that their work has been wrongly accused of plagiarism may appeal the decision. The appeal will be reviewed by the editorial board, and a final decision will be made based on a thorough investigation.
Public Disclosure: In cases where a retraction or correction is necessary due to plagiarism, GSSR will issue a notice detailing the reasons for the action to ensure transparency and maintain trust in the academic community.
Open Access Policy
The Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR) operates under a comprehensive open access policy to promote the wide dissemination of research in the social sciences. This policy aligns with the journal's commitment to ensuring the free flow of knowledge without barriers, allowing readers worldwide to access, read, and benefit from its scholarly content. Below is a more detailed breakdown of GSSR's open access policy:
GSSR offers free and immediate access to all its published content. Upon publication, articles are made freely available to everyone without any subscription, registration, or payment required. This ensures that the latest research in the social sciences can reach a global audience, including students, academics, researchers, and the general public.
All content published in the Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). This license allows users to share, Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. However, the following restrictions apply:
- NonCommercial: The material may not be used for commercial purposes.
- NoDerivatives: If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified content.
- Attribution: Users must give appropriate credit to the original authors, provide a link to the license, and indicate if any changes were made. However, the material cannot be altered or used commercially.
This license ensures that the work can be freely accessed and shared for educational and non-commercial purposes while protecting the integrity of the original research.
Unlike traditional publishing models where authors may have to transfer copyright to the publisher, GSSR allows authors to retain the copyright to their work. This empowers authors with full ownership and control over their intellectual property while still granting the journal the right to distribute the content.
GSSR does not impose any embargo on its published content. All articles are made available immediately after publication. There is no delay in accessing research, ensuring that findings can contribute to ongoing discussions and developments in the field without unnecessary restrictions.
Publishing in an open-access journal like GSSR offers several benefits for authors, including:
- Increased Visibility and Citation: Open-access articles are often cited more frequently than articles behind paywalls, due to their wide accessibility.
- Global Reach: GSSR’s open access policy ensures that articles are accessible to a worldwide audience, including scholars from developing countries who might not have access to subscription-based journals.
- No Subscription Fees for Readers: Readers can access the journal’s content freely, which increases readership and engagement with the published research.
To maintain the journal's open-access model, GSSR may charge authors an Article Processing Charge (APC). This fee covers the costs associated with the editorial process, peer review, typesetting, and online hosting. Authors are encouraged to review the APC policy carefully before submission. In certain cases, waivers or discounts might be available for authors from low-income countries or in special circumstances.
Many funding agencies and institutions require that the research they support is made available under open access. GSSR’s policy is fully compliant with the requirements of major funding bodies, ensuring that authors can fulfill their grant obligations while publishing in a reputable journal.
GSSR ensures the long-term digital preservation of its content through archiving agreements. This guarantees that articles remain accessible to future generations of researchers even if the journal ceases publication.
Open Access Advantage
By offering open access, GSSR ensures that all its published articles are freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection, without subscription or paywall barriers. This increases the visibility of the research and allows a broader audience, including academics, practitioners, policymakers, students, and the general public, to engage with the content.
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Global Reach: Researchers from developing countries or institutions with limited resources can access GSSR's articles without financial barriers. This helps promote equity in knowledge dissemination and ensures that all scholars, regardless of their institutional affiliation or economic status, can access high-quality research.
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Wider Dissemination: Open access enables articles to be easily shared through social media, academic networks, and public repositories. This accelerates the dissemination of ideas and knowledge.
Research shows that open access articles are cited more frequently than those published in subscription-based journals. The increased visibility and accessibility of open access articles contribute to their being read and referenced by a broader academic audience.
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Increased Impact: With GSSR’s open access policy, researchers can expect higher readership, which often correlates with increased citations, leading to a greater impact within their academic field.
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Enhanced Research Collaboration: Open access fosters collaboration by allowing researchers to easily access and build upon each other’s work, which can lead to more cross-disciplinary research opportunities and innovation.
Research shows that open access articles are cited more frequently than those published in subscription-based journals. The increased visibility and accessibility of open access articles contribute to their being read and referenced by a broader academic audience.
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Increased Impact: With GSSR’s open access policy, researchers can expect higher readership, which often correlates with increased citations, leading to a greater impact within their academic field.
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Enhanced Research Collaboration: Open access fosters collaboration by allowing researchers to easily access and build upon each other’s work, which can lead to more cross-disciplinary research opportunities and innovation.
Many funding agencies, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, now mandate that the research they support must be published in open access journals or made freely available. GSSR’s open access policy ensures compliance with these requirements, making it easier for authors to meet their funding obligations.
Grant Eligibility: Publishing in GSSR enables authors to comply with their funders’ open access mandates, which is often a condition for receiving grants. This also ensures that publicly funded research is accessible to taxpayers and the public.
Under GSSR’s open access model and the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, authors retain the copyright to their work. This contrasts with traditional publishing models where authors often transfer copyright to the publisher.
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Control Over Work: Retaining copyright allows authors to distribute and share their work freely and control how it is used. This benefits authors by ensuring that they have the final say over their intellectual property, while still benefiting from the journal’s editorial and peer-review processes.
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Credit and Recognition: The license ensures that the original author receives appropriate credit when their work is shared, helping build the author's reputation and academic profile.
GSSR’s open access model means that articles are freely available immediately after publication, with no embargo period. This instant availability ensures that the latest research can contribute to ongoing scholarly discussions and be applied in real-time, fostering faster academic and societal advancements.
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Timely Access: Readers and researchers can access new studies as soon as they are published, which is particularly important in fast-moving fields where timely access to new research is critical.
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Impact on Policy and Practice: In fields like social sciences, timely access to research findings can influence policy decisions, educational practices, and social reforms more rapidly.
Readers do not have to pay any subscription or access fees to read GSSR’s articles, which eliminates financial barriers to accessing scholarly content. This democratization of knowledge promotes academic and social equity, ensuring that knowledge reaches diverse audiences, including those who might not have institutional access to paid journals.
- Educational Resource: GSSR’s open access content can serve as a valuable educational resource for universities, libraries, and educators, who can use the research for teaching and academic purposes without worrying about subscription costs.
Open access articles are indexed by major search engines and repositories, making them easier to find. With GSSR’s content being open access, articles are more likely to appear in search results, increasing discoverability for both authors and the journal.
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SEO Benefits: Open access content is prioritized by search engines, leading to better search engine optimization (SEO) and higher ranking in search results, making the journal's content more discoverable by those looking for relevant research.
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Digital Archives: GSSR’s open access model ensures long-term preservation of published research in digital repositories, guaranteeing that articles remain accessible for future generations.
By making research openly accessible, GSSR contributes to the public good by allowing research findings to reach a wider audience, including policymakers, NGOs, community groups, and practitioners in various fields. This contributes to societal advancement and knowledge transfer beyond academia.
- Impact on Society: Open access research can inform policy, social programs, and public initiatives, especially in the social sciences, where research often addresses issues like social inequality, education, and community development.
Archiving Policy
GSSR adheres to an Open Archive Policy, ensuring that all content is openly accessible and preserved. Researchers are encouraged to cite the original authors and the journal when using or reproducing content from GSSR. This policy supports the widespread dissemination and impact of research.
As a 'Green' publisher, Humanity Publications/GSSR supports self-archiving. Authors retain copyright of their work and may archive pre-prints, post-prints, or the final published versions in personal or institutional repositories without needing additional permission. Authors are also entitled to deposit their work in institutional or centrally organized repositories and make it publicly available immediately, provided proper attribution is given to the original publication and Humanity Publications.
To ensure the long-term preservation of published content, GSSR submits metadata to various archive databases and repositories, including RePEc. This practice guarantees that published articles remain accessible even in the event of data loss. We ensure that metadata is compliant with major repository services, which helps maintain the visibility and accessibility of our research content.
GSSR adheres to the ethical standards outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Our editorial board is committed to upholding these standards in all aspects of the submission, review, conflict of interest, disclosure, and publication processes.
Correction and Retractio Policy
- Identification: Errors are identified through editorial review, author notification, or reader feedback.
- Verification: The editorial team verifies the error and assesses the need for correction.
- Publication: Corrections are published as an update to the original article, clearly indicating the nature of the correction. The original article is not altered but will be linked to the correction notice.
Visibility: Corrections are prominently displayed and linked to the original article. They are also indexed and made available in all relevant databases.
Purpose: The retraction policy addresses situations where an article must be withdrawn from the scientific record due to serious issues affecting its validity or ethical standards. Retractions aim to maintain the integrity of the academic record and ensure that erroneous or unethical content is not perpetuated.
Reasons for Retraction:
- Scientific Misconduct: This includes issues such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or falsification that significantly undermine the study’s credibility.
- Ethical Concerns: Retraction may occur if an article is found to violate ethical standards, such as improper human or animal research practices.
- Significant Errors: When errors are discovered that render the article’s conclusions invalid or misleading, and these errors cannot be corrected through a simple erratum or corrigendum.
- Investigation: Retractions are considered after a thorough investigation, which may involve the authors, reviewers, and relevant institutional bodies.
- Decision: The decision to retract an article is made by the editorial board based on the severity of the issue and in accordance with COPE guidelines.
- Notification: The retraction notice is published, detailing the reason for retraction and clearly stating that the article should not be considered part of the scientific record. The original article remains available but is marked as retracted.
- Correction of Record: The retraction notice is linked to the original article and is also indexed in all relevant databases to ensure that readers are aware of the retraction.
Visibility: Retraction notices are made publicly available and accessible, ensuring that the reasons for retraction are transparent. They are indexed and linked to the original article for clarity.
GSSR adheres to the highest ethical standards as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We are committed to ensuring that all corrections and retractions are handled with transparency and integrity to maintain the trust of the academic community.
For Further Information: For additional details on our correction and retraction policies, or if you have concerns about a published article, please contact the editorial office at [contact information].
Peer review Policy
The Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR) is committed to upholding rigorous academic standards through a fair, transparent, and ethical peer review process. We ensure that all submitted manuscripts are evaluated based on their scholarly merit, originality, and contribution to the field of social sciences. The peer review process is central to maintaining the quality and credibility of the journal.
GSSR operates a double-blind peer review process to maintain impartiality and objectivity. In this model:
- Authors do not know the identities of the reviewers.
- Reviewers do not know the identities of the authors.
This ensures that the manuscript is judged solely on its academic merit, free from any potential biases.
- Initial Submission and Editorial Screening:
- All manuscripts are submitted online via the GSSR submission system.
- Upon submission, the manuscript undergoes an initial screening by the editorial office. The editors assess whether the manuscript aligns with the journal's scope, adheres to submission guidelines, and meets the quality standards.
- Manuscripts that do not meet the basic requirements may be rejected at this stage without external review.
- Reviewer Assignment:
- Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are sent to two or more expert reviewers with relevant subject matter expertise.
- Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, research background, and independence from the authors to avoid any conflicts of interest.
- Double-Blind Review:
- Reviewers are provided with the manuscript in anonymized form (no identifying author details).
- Reviewers assess the manuscript’s quality based on originality, methodology, clarity, relevance, and significance of the contribution to the field.
- Reviewer Feedback:
- Reviewers provide detailed comments and recommendations regarding the manuscript. These can include suggestions for improvements, corrections, or clarifications.
- Reviewers recommend one of the following actions:
- Accept the manuscript without revisions.
- Accept the manuscript with minor revisions.
- Revise and resubmit (major revisions required).
- Reject the manuscript.
- Editorial Decision:
- Based on the reviewers' feedback, the editorial team makes the final decision.
- If revisions are required, the manuscript is returned to the author(s) for revisions. The revised manuscript may be sent back to reviewers for re-evaluation or may be accepted directly by the editorial team.
- The final decision is communicated to the authors, along with any necessary feedback from the reviewers.
The review process is typically completed within 4 to 6 weeks from the submission date. However, this may vary depending on the complexity of the manuscript and the availability of expert reviewers.
- Selection of Reviewers: Reviewers are selected based on their subject expertise and academic credentials. GSSR maintains a diverse pool of reviewers from various disciplines within social sciences to ensure a thorough and informed evaluation process.
- Confidentiality: All manuscripts under review are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not share or discuss the content with others unless expressly authorized by the editorial team.
- Ethical Review Conduct: Reviewers are expected to conduct their reviews impartially, without bias or conflicts of interest. Any personal, financial, or professional conflicts that may influence the review must be disclosed to the editors.
If authors believe that their manuscript was unfairly rejected, they may appeal the decision by providing a detailed justification for their case. Appeals are carefully reviewed by the editorial team, and in some cases, an independent reviewer may be consulted. However, the final decision after the appeal lies with the editor-in-chief and is considered binding.
GSSR strictly adheres to the ethical standards outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Reviewers are expected to uphold the principles of fairness, confidentiality, transparency, and integrity in their review work. Authors are also required to respect the peer review process by complying with the guidelines provided and responding to reviewer comments diligently.
To recognize the valuable contributions of peer reviewers, GSSR publicly acknowledges the reviewers' efforts in an annual acknowledgment published on the journal’s website. Reviewers may also receive certificates of contribution upon request.
The peer review process is an essential part of the publication process at GSSR, helping to ensure the quality, credibility, and relevance of the research we publish. By following a structured, ethical, and transparent peer review policy, GSSR maintains its commitment to academic excellence and the integrity of the scholarly record.
Copyright Policy
Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR) operates under an open-access model, allowing free and unrestricted access to published content while safeguarding the rights of authors. GSSR follows a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), ensuring that authors retain the copyright of their work, with the following terms:
Author Copyright Retention: Authors of articles published in GSSR retain full copyright over their work. By submitting and publishing in GSSR, authors agree to grant the journal the right of first publication and agree to have their work licensed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
All articles published in GSSR are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). This means:
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Attribution (BY): Others may share, copy, distribute, and transmit the work, but they must give appropriate credit to the original author(s), the journal, and the publisher (Humanity Publications). Proper citation of the work must be maintained in all uses of the content.
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NonCommercial (NC): The content may not be used for commercial purposes. Users cannot utilize the material for profit-making or commercial gain without explicit permission from the authors and the journal.
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No Derivatives (ND): The work may not be altered, transformed, or built upon. Any use of the content must retain its original form, and derivative works are not permitted under this license.
Authors publishing with GSSR retain significant rights, including the right to:
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Distribute their work: Authors are allowed to share and distribute their articles in any non-commercial repository, archive, or academic social platform (such as ResearchGate, Academia.edu) immediately after publication, as long as proper attribution is given to GSSR and the publisher.
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Reproduce and Display: Authors can display their articles publicly, reproduce their work in educational or professional settings, and distribute copies to students or peers for non-commercial purposes, provided proper credit is given.
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Self-Archiving: GSSR allows authors to archive pre-print (version before peer review), post-print (accepted version after peer review but before final publication), and the publisher’s final PDF version on personal or institutional repositories or websites, without seeking additional permission.
By submitting their work to GSSR, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive right to distribute, publish, and archive the content worldwide. This includes:
- First publication rights: The journal has the right to publish the submitted manuscript for the first time and to distribute it in print, electronic, and online forms.
- Archiving and Preservation: GSSR is granted permission to archive and preserve the article in various institutional repositories, digital archives, and databases to ensure long-term availability.
For any use of published content outside of what is permitted by the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, permission from both the author(s) and GSSR is required. This includes:
- Commercial Use: Requests to use GSSR-published content for commercial purposes must be approved by the authors and GSSR. This includes but is not limited to reproduction in commercial publications or the use of content in commercially distributed materials.
- Translations and Adaptations: Any translation or adaptation of the content, even for non-commercial purposes, requires prior permission.
GSSR takes copyright violations seriously. Any unauthorized use of GSSR content that violates the terms of the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license will be subject to appropriate legal action. We encourage users to report any suspected copyright infringement or misuse of published content.
Although authors retain copyright of their work, Humanity Publications and GSSR maintain the right to correct, retract, or amend the published content in cases of error, ethical concerns, or retraction as per the journal's correction and retraction policies. All content is subject to editorial review and modification as needed to uphold the integrity of the publication.