Publication Ethics
Modern Sport Journal and its editorial board fully follow and comply with the policies and principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Duties of Editors
Editors of Modern Sport Journal hold a central role in maintaining the academic integrity and quality of the journal. They are responsible for making final decisions on submitted manuscripts, ensuring that each decision is based on the scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and relevance of the submission, as well as on feedback received through peer review. All editorial decisions are made impartially, without discrimination based on authors’ race, gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, or personal beliefs.
Editors oversee a rigorous double-blind peer review process, carefully selecting qualified and objective reviewers while ensuring the confidentiality of all manuscript materials. They are tasked with maintaining a fair and timely review process and resolving any disputes that may arise during evaluation. Editors are also responsible for upholding ethical standards by identifying and addressing issues such as plagiarism, data fabrication, redundant publication, or unethical research conduct. Any suspected cases of misconduct are handled in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.
Confidentiality is a key duty of editors. Manuscripts under review are treated as confidential documents and are not shared beyond those directly involved in the publication process. Editors must also avoid any conflicts of interest. If an editor has a personal or professional relationship that could influence their judgment on a manuscript, they are required to recuse themselves from the decision-making process and reassign the manuscript appropriately.
In the event that errors or ethical concerns are discovered post-publication, editors are responsible for issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern to maintain the accuracy and reliability of the scholarly record. Clear, respectful, and timely communication with authors and reviewers is essential throughout the editorial process. Finally, editors contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the journal by refining editorial policies, enhancing publication standards, promoting ethical research practices, and engaging with the wider academic community.
Duties of Reviewers
All information submitted by authors must be kept strictly confidential. Manuscripts sent for review are confidential and must not be shared or used for personal gain. Reviewers are expected to protect the confidentiality of any privileged information or ideas gained during the review process. If a reviewer is unable to complete the review within the designated time, they must notify the editor promptly so the manuscript can be reassigned to another reviewer. Reviewers are also responsible for ensuring that all data sources referenced in the manuscript are appropriately credited by the authors. Reviews should be carried out impartially, with reviewers providing clear evaluations and justifying their opinions with reasoned arguments. Additionally, if a reviewer notices significant overlap or similarity between the manuscript and any previously published work, they must immediately inform the editor and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
Duties of Authors
Authors submitting to Modern Sport Journal must ensure that their manuscripts are entirely original and not under consideration by other journals simultaneously. Duplicate submissions are not permitted. Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research, analysis, design, or interpretation of the study should be listed as authors, and all co-authors must review and approve the submitted version of the manuscript and agree to their inclusion. If authors discover a major error in a submitted or published manuscript, they are responsible for promptly notifying the editor with a detailed explanation of the issue. Once a manuscript has entered the review process, it may not be withdrawn. Additionally, authors must disclose any financial or other significant conflicts of interest that could influence the research or editorial decision-making, by submitting a detailed written statement to the editor.
Peer Review Process
Modern Sport Journal subjects all submitted manuscripts to a rigorous peer review process to ensure they meet high standards of academic excellence. If the submission passes the initial editorial screening, it will be reviewed by at least two independent peer reviewers. The journal follows a double-blind review process, meaning that the identities of both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other.
The final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript rests with the editorial board and is based on the reviewers’ recommendations.
In certain cases, our Research Integrity team may seek guidance beyond the standard peer review process—particularly for submissions involving serious ethical concerns, security or biosecurity risks, or significant societal implications. This may include consulting additional experts or academic editors, engaging reviewers with specific expertise, or, when necessary, deciding not to proceed with the manuscript.
Plagiarism
This policy applies to the use of data, images, words, or ideas taken from any source whether in electronic or print format without proper attribution. Such sources may include abstracts, seminar presentations, laboratory reports, theses or dissertations, research proposals, computer programs, online content, grey literature, and both published and unpublished manuscripts.
Any use of this material, whether direct or indirect, must be appropriately acknowledged, and the original source must be clearly cited in all cases.
Modern Sport Journal uses plagiarism detection tools to screen all submitted manuscripts. Any instance of plagiarism will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarized content will be rejected and not considered for publication.
Special Issues
Special issue topics are selected by the editorial team of Modern Sport Journal and are typically announced annually. Submissions to special issues follow the same process and author guidelines as regular issue submissions. Prospective authors are encouraged to carefully review all submission requirements and adhere to the outlined procedures. Calls for special issue submissions are generally included in the announcement of that year's special issue release.
Appointment of Guest Editors
Guest Editors for special issues are chosen based on their expertise, academic reputation, and prior editorial experience. Potential Guest Editors may be nominated by the journal’s editorial board, current editors, or through self-nomination. Nominations are reviewed by the editorial board and approved by the Editor-in-Chief. Guest Editors are responsible for defining the scope of the special issue, drafting the call for papers, managing manuscript submissions, overseeing the peer review process, ensuring the quality and originality of submissions, and making final decisions on manuscript acceptance in collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief.
Setup of Special Issues
To initiate a special issue, a comprehensive proposal must be submitted, outlining the theme, objectives, target audience, potential Guest Editors, and a timeline. This proposal is reviewed and approved by the journal’s editorial board and the Editor-in-Chief. Once approved, a call for papers is announced and promoted through various channels. A clear timeline is established for manuscript submission, peer review, and publication to ensure the special issue aligns with the journal’s regular publication schedule.
Editorial and Review Process
Manuscripts for special issues are submitted through the journal's online submission system and undergo an initial screening by the Guest Editors to ensure they align with the scope and meet the basic quality standards. The manuscripts then proceed through a double-blind peer review process, where reviewers are selected based on their expertise. Authors are required to revise their manuscripts according to reviewer feedback and resubmit for further review if necessary. The Guest Editors make recommendations regarding acceptance or rejection, with final approval granted by the Editor-in-Chief. Accepted manuscripts are formatted, proofread, and published following the journal’s guidelines. The special issue is promoted through the journal's distribution channels, and post-publication metrics and feedback are monitored to guide the development of future special issues.
Publication Timing & Review Process
Submissions to Modern Sport Journal are accepted on a rolling basis and should align with the requested submission types, following the complete author guidelines provided here. The journal publishes four issues annually, from March to December, along with one special issue each year. All issues, including special ones, adhere to the same editorial and review process and comply with the guidelines outlined here. We welcome and encourage your submission.
Use of Generative AI and AI-assisted Technologies in Writing
All authors submitting their manuscript to Modern Sport Journal are required to disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted tools (particularly for enhancing the readability of the work). Additionally, all authors must confirm that the research has been conducted by humans.
Use of AI in peer review
Our journal safeguards authors' rights throughout the publication process. Currently, the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies, such as ChatGPT or similar services, for peer review is not permitted. This policy may be revised or updated in the future.
