Background

Journal of System Dynamics (JSD) is a peer-reviewed journal published by SDC Press. Journal of System Dynamics (JSD) shall ensure that all published works within the journal follow ethical principles on academic publishing. It is therefore essential to set an ethical standard for all parties involved in the act of publishing in order to create a conducive environment and to avoid problems that may arise due to a certain conflict of interest.

This statement clarifies ethical behavior of all parties involved in the act of publishing an article in this journal, including the author, the chief editor, the editorial board, executive and technical editors, reviewers­­­­­ and the publisher. This statement is based on COPE’s Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors. 

Publication and Reproduction

The publication of an article in a peer-reviewed Journal of System Dynamics (JSD) is an essential building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. It is a direct reflection of the quality of the work of the authors and the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed articles support and embody the scientific method. It is therefore important to agree upon standards of expected ethical behavior for all parties involved in the act of publishing: the author, the chief editor, the editorial board, executive and technical editors, the reviewers, the publisher and the society.  

SDC Press as the publisher of Journal of System Dynamics (JSD) takes its duties of guardianship over all stages of publishing extremely seriously and we recognize our ethical and other responsibilities. We are committed to ensuring that advertising, reprint or other commercial revenue has no impact or influence on editorial decisions. In addition, SDC Press and Editorial Board will assist in communications with other journals and/or publishers where this is useful and necessary.

 Policies and Development

The chief editor is responsible for defining the objectives, focus and scope, maintaining the quality standard, and designing review, editorial and publication policies. The chief editor may seek advices from members of the editorial board in building the vision, deciding on long-term strategic issues, and leading the development of Journal of System Dynamics (JSD).

Decisions

The chief editor together with executive editors of the Journal of System Dynamics (JSD) is responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal should be published. The validation of the work in question and its importance to researchers and readers must always drive such decisions. The chief editor and executive editors are guided by the policies of the journal's editorial board and constrained by legal requirements as shall then be in force regarding libel, copyright infringement and plagiarism. The chief editor and executive editors may confer with reviewers in making this decision.

Fair play

Authors, reviewers and editors should maintain academic integrity during the whole process of publication. Business needs should be precluded from compromising intellectual and ethical standards. Manuscripts shall be evaluated for their intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, institution, academic background or political philosophy of the authors.

Confidentiality

The editor and any editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisers, and the publisher, as appropriate.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor's own research without the express written consent of the author.

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution

Reviewers are requested to assist in improving the quality of the manuscript through a blind peer-review process within a scheduled period of time, and to contribute to the decision-making process on the manuscript.

Promptness

Any selected reviewer who feels unqualified to review the manuscript or knows that its prompt review will be impossible should notify the executive editor and excuse himself from the review process.

Confidentiality

Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shown to or discussed with others except as authorized by the editor.

Standards of Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments.