At Sophos, we uphold the highest standards of publication ethics to ensure the integrity, credibility, and reliability of the research we publish. We are committed to promoting ethical conduct among authors, reviewers, editors, and all stakeholders involved in the publication process. Our publication ethics guidelines are designed to foster transparency, fairness, and accountability in scholarly publishing.
Authorship
Authors should ensure that they have made significant contributions to the research and are accountable for the content of their manuscripts. All individuals who have contributed to the study should be listed as authors, and their roles should be clearly specified. Plagiarism, including the unauthorized use of others’ ideas, words, or images, is strictly prohibited.
Originality and Integrity
Authors should ensure that their manuscripts present original research findings and have not been previously published elsewhere. Any potential conflicts of interest or financial disclosures should be clearly stated in the manuscript. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is unacceptable and constitutes scientific misconduct.
Peer Review
Peer review plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and validity of published research. All submitted manuscripts undergo a scrupulous peer-review process conducted by experts in the respective fields. Reviewers are expected to provide constructive feedback, evaluate the scholarly merit of the manuscript, and maintain confidentiality throughout the review process.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their judgment or decision-making. Conflicts of interest may arise from financial relationships, personal affiliations, or other factors that could affect the impartiality of the publication process. Transparency regarding conflicts of interest helps maintain the integrity and credibility of published research.
Ethical Treatment of Subjects
Authors conducting research involving human subjects or animals must adhere to ethical guidelines and obtain appropriate approvals from institutional review boards or ethics committees. Informed consent should be obtained from participants, and their rights, privacy, and confidentiality should be respected. Research involving vulnerable populations should be conducted with special care and consideration for their welfare.
Corrections and Retractions
In the event of errors, inaccuracies, or misconduct discovered after publication, Sophos is committed to promptly correcting the record. Corrections, clarifications, or retractions will be issued as necessary to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record and ensure transparency with readers.
Adherence to Guidelines
Authors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the publication guidelines and formatting requirements provided by Sophos. Adherence to these guidelines facilitates the review process and ensures consistency and clarity in published articles.
Publication ethics are paramount in maintaining the integrity and credibility of academic research. By adhering to ethical principles and guidelines, we uphold the highest standards of scholarly publishing and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in our respective fields.
Publication Policy
Sophos, as a peer-reviewed academic journal committed to excellence and integrity, adheres to stringent publication ethics and policies to ensure the quality and credibility of the research we publish. Please familiarize yourself with our publication ethics and policies outlined below:
Publication Charges / Fees
Sophos operates as an open-access journal and does not impose any publication fees or charges on authors or readers. There are no publication or subscription charges levied by the editorial board or any authority affiliated with Sophos. However, if any author encounters fees charged by any member of the journal, please report it to the editor at wccjournalsophos@gmail.com. Serious action will be taken, including suspension of membership by the editorial and advisory boards.
Plagiarism Policy
Sophos considers only original and non-plagiarized content for peer review. Plagiarized content will be rejected and reported by our peer review board members or editorial board members. Authors are urged to thoroughly check their submissions for plagiarism before sending them for publication. Any instances of plagiarism will result in immediate rejection. Sophos does not assume responsibility for copyright violations or plagiarism.
Citation
Authors are required to cite their sources using APA citation style. Peer review members may request additional citations if necessary, and authors are expected to comply with instructions issued by the editorial team.
Examination and Duplication
Authors should avoid submitting papers already under review by other journals. Any duplication found during the review process will lead to rejection of the paper. All issues of Sophos are archived by www.archive.org and are available for free download from our official website www.sophosjournal.com.
Paper Withdrawal
Once a paper is published in Sophos, authors cannot withdraw it. However, authors can request withdrawal during the peer-review process by contacting our editorial board via email. Authors cannot republish their papers elsewhere until three months (60 days) after publication. After this period, authors may republish their papers with proper citation.
Copyright
All articles and content published in Sophos are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
Archiving
Authors and others may archive contents of the journal following the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License for academic and non-commercial purposes.
Peer-Review Timeline and Process
The review process for publication in Sophos takes a maximum of 60 days after the submission deadline stated in the respective call-for-papers. Sophos operates a single-blind peer review system, where papers are reviewed anonymously by experts in the field. Reviewers’ identities are kept confidential from the authors. External reviewers may be engaged if necessary.
Compliance
Any disputes regarding authorship or ownership of data will be promptly evaluated by our expert team and editorial board members. If proven, such papers will be withdrawn from our digital archive with appropriate notation. Authors found in violation will be barred from publishing in Sophos in the future.