Editorial & Publication Policies

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Aim and Scope

Sportify Journal publishes original scholarly research and critical studies in physical education, sport sciences, and human movement sciences.

Its areas of interest include physical education, sport pedagogy, sports coaching, physical activity, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, sport psychology, sports performance, and related scientific disciplines.

Interdisciplinary research is considered when its contribution to sport, physical activity, or human movement is clearly established.

For detailed subject coverage, consult the Focus and Scope page.

Types of Manuscript

Original Research Articles

Original research articles report empirical investigations using appropriate quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, experimental, or other scientifically justified approaches.

Manuscripts should present clear objectives, transparent methods, relevant findings, and evidence-based interpretations.

Review Articles

Review articles provide critical and structured syntheses of relevant scientific literature.

The review objectives, literature identification and selection procedures, analytical approach, and contribution to existing knowledge should be clearly reported.

Publishing Schedule

Sportify Journal publishes two issues annually, scheduled for June and December.

Published articles are organized into volumes and issues and made available through the journal's online archive.

View Journal Archives

Peer Review Process

Submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment to determine whether they meet the journal's aims, scope, submission requirements, and basic ethical standards.

Manuscripts considered suitable for further evaluation are assigned to a handling editor, who arranges assessment by two independent peer reviewers with relevant subject expertise.

Peer review is conducted anonymously under the journal's established confidentiality procedures. Reviewers evaluate the scientific contribution, methodological quality, clarity of reporting, interpretation, and ethical integrity of the manuscript.

Editorial Assessment

1. Initial editorial screening of the manuscript and submission files.
2. Assignment to qualified, independent peer reviewers.
3. Evaluation of reviewer reports and recommendations.
4. Editorial decision and communication with the authors.
5. Revision and further assessment where necessary.
6. Final editorial decision based on the available evidence.

Decisions may include acceptance, required revision, further review, or rejection.

Reviewers who cannot complete an objective or timely assessment should inform the handling editor. Reports that are disrespectful, insufficiently reasoned, or otherwise inappropriate may be disregarded.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

This statement establishes the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in publishing scholarly articles in Sportify Journal, including authors, editors, Editorial Board members, peer reviewers, and the publisher, Lembaga Penelitian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (LITPAM).

The journal is committed to impartial editorial evaluation, responsible scientific reporting, confidentiality, research integrity, and fair handling of ethical concerns.

These policies are informed by principles and recommendations associated with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) .

Duties and Responsibilities of Editors

Fair and Impartial Evaluation

Editors must evaluate manuscripts fairly and objectively, considering their scientific quality, relevance, methodological appropriateness, and compliance with journal policies.

Editorial decisions must not be influenced by commercial interests, personal relationships, or inappropriate external pressure.

Confidentiality

Editors and Editorial Board members must protect submitted manuscripts and associated editorial records.

Information may be shared only with individuals appropriately involved in manuscript evaluation or journal management.

Protection of Unpublished Research

Editors must not use unpublished data, reasoning, interpretations, or other confidential information obtained through editorial duties for their own research without the author's written permission.

Publication Decisions

Editors are responsible for determining whether manuscripts should be accepted, revised, or rejected. Decisions must be supported by appropriate editorial assessment and consideration of the peer-review reports.

Authors should be given an appropriate opportunity to respond to reviewer comments, requests for clarification, and concerns raised during manuscript evaluation.

Managing Editorial Conflicts

Editors must disclose relevant conflicts of interest and withdraw from handling manuscripts where their independence could reasonably be compromised.

Responsibility should then be transferred to another qualified editor without the relevant conflict.

Duties and Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers are expected to possess relevant scientific expertise and conduct their evaluations professionally, independently, and confidentially.

Competence and Objectivity

Reviewers should accept assignments only when they have sufficient expertise to evaluate the manuscript.

Reviewers unable to provide an objective assessment, or who cannot complete the review within the agreed period, must notify the editor.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review are confidential documents. Reviewers must not disclose, distribute, or use unpublished materials for personal advantage.

Constructive Scientific Assessment

Review reports should be objective, evidence-based, respectful, and sufficiently detailed to support editorial decisions and manuscript improvement.

Personal criticism or comments unrelated to the scientific merits of the manuscript are inappropriate.

Recognition of Relevant Literature

Reviewers should identify important relevant literature that has not been appropriately acknowledged and may recommend necessary corrections.

Reporting Ethical Concerns

Reviewers must promptly inform the editor when they identify possible plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, inappropriate duplication, or other ethical concerns.

Reviewers must also comply with the journal's Artificial Intelligence Policy , particularly the confidentiality requirements for unpublished manuscripts.

Duties and Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for the originality, accuracy, transparency, and ethical integrity of their submitted and published research.

Originality and Accurate Reporting

• Manuscripts must present original scholarly work.
• Research findings must be reported honestly and objectively.
• Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and inappropriate data manipulation are prohibited.
• Relevant methodological information must be provided to enable scientific evaluation.
• Data and interpretations must not be deliberately misrepresented or distorted.

Original Submission

Manuscripts must not have been previously published or be under concurrent consideration by another journal.

Redundant or duplicate publication without appropriate disclosure and editorial authorization is not acceptable.

Proper Attribution

Authors must acknowledge relevant scholarly contributions and cite sources accurately.

Individuals who contributed substantially to the research must be appropriately recognized under the journal's authorship criteria.

Participation in Peer Review

Authors must cooperate with the editorial process, respond to reasonable requests, and address reviewer comments appropriately.

Correction of Significant Errors

Authors who discover significant errors in submitted or published manuscripts must promptly notify the journal and cooperate in appropriate editorial action.

When concerns are raised, authors may be requested to provide supporting evidence, original records, or methodological clarification.

Authorship Criteria and Contributions

Authorship must reflect genuine and substantive intellectual contributions to the research and manuscript.

Individuals listed as authors are expected to have contributed substantially to relevant scholarly activities, participated in manuscript preparation or critical revision, approved the submitted version, and accepted accountability for their contributions.

Responsibilities of the Corresponding Author

• Ensure that all eligible contributors are appropriately listed as authors.
• Ensure that individuals who do not qualify for authorship are not included as authors.
• Obtain approval of the submitted version from all co-authors.
• Maintain communication with the journal throughout the editorial process.
• Disclose relevant conflicts of interest and funding information.

Contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately, with their permission where applicable.

Any request to add, remove, or reorder authors after submission must be explained and supported by agreement from the authors concerned.

Research Ethics and Participant Protection

Research involving human participants must respect dignity, privacy, autonomy, well-being, and participant safety.

Studies involving athletes, students, coaches, physical activity participants, or other human subjects must comply with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements.

Ethical Approval and Informed Consent

Authors must report relevant institutional ethics approval and informed consent procedures where required by the research design, institutional rules, and applicable regulations.

Participant information must be handled confidentially and reported in a manner consistent with privacy protection requirements.

Research Involving Children

Research involving children or other vulnerable participants requires particular safeguards.

Authors must document appropriate ethical review and approval, parental or guardian consent, and the child's assent where applicable.

Procedures must be appropriate for the participants' age, abilities, and circumstances.

Authors must explain the measures implemented to protect confidentiality, minimize foreseeable risks, and safeguard participants throughout the study.

Safety in Sport and Exercise Research

Studies involving exercise interventions, physical testing, equipment, or potentially hazardous procedures must identify relevant risks and report appropriate safety precautions.

Where relevant, researchers should document participant eligibility, safety monitoring, and measures taken to prevent avoidable harm.

Plagiarism and Originality Policy

Sportify Journal does not accept plagiarism, unauthorized reuse of scholarly material, or misleading presentation of previously published work as original research.

Submitted manuscripts may undergo textual-similarity screening using appropriate originality-checking software.

Editorial decisions concerning similarity must consider the nature, extent, and context of matching material.

A numerical similarity score alone does not establish or exclude plagiarism.

Suspected plagiarism will be assessed through editorial investigation in accordance with the journal's publication ethics procedures.

Allegations of Research Misconduct

Sportify Journal does not condone research misconduct, including fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, unethical manipulation, or deliberate misrepresentation of scientific findings.

Concerns may be raised by editors, reviewers, authors, readers, or other relevant parties.

Misconduct Investigation Procedure

1. Identification: A possible ethical violation is identified and reported to the Editorial Team.
2. Documentation: The editor records the concern, supporting evidence, and relevant manuscript or publication information.
3. Preliminary Assessment: The Editorial Team assesses whether the concern warrants further investigation.
4. Author Response: The author or parties involved are given an appropriate opportunity to respond and provide clarification.
5. Independent Consultation: Relevant editors, reviewers, independent specialists, or institutions may be consulted when necessary.
6. Editorial Determination: An appropriate decision is reached based on the verified evidence.
7. Record Keeping: Relevant communications and decisions are documented to maintain accountability.

Distinguishing Error from Misconduct

The Editorial Team will distinguish honest mistakes, methodological disagreement, and unintentional reporting errors from deliberate misconduct.

Appropriate editorial action may include clarification, manuscript rejection, correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the circumstances.

The journal may consult relevant COPE guidance when evaluating allegations and determining appropriate editorial responses.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose financial, professional, institutional, or personal interests that may reasonably influence their impartiality.

Editors and reviewers must withdraw from assignments when a relevant conflict cannot be appropriately managed.

Examples of Conflicts

1. Direct supervisory or reporting relationships involving an author and reviewer or editor.
2. Recent significant professional collaboration between the parties.
3. Participation in the research project under consideration.
4. Financial interests involving organizations connected to the research.
5. Personal relationships, professional competition, or other circumstances affecting objectivity.

Managing Conflicts

A reviewer or editor who identifies a relevant conflict must inform the handling editor or Editor-in-Chief.

Where appropriate, the manuscript will be reassigned to another qualified person without the relevant conflict.

Manuscripts authored by members of the Editorial Team must be evaluated independently. The author concerned must not participate in editorial decisions regarding their own submission.

Post-Publication Discussion

Sportify Journal encourages constructive scholarly discussion concerning published research.

Readers, researchers, and other interested parties may submit questions, clarifications, or concerns regarding published articles.

Correspondence should identify the article, describe the issue clearly, and provide supporting information where available.

The Editorial Team may request an author response, seek independent advice, or initiate corrective action where necessary.

Scientific disagreement must be distinguished from allegations of research misconduct.

Contact the Editorial Office

Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

Sportify Journal recognizes the importance of maintaining an accurate, transparent, and reliable scholarly record.

Corrections

A correction may be issued when an identifiable error can be addressed without invalidating the article's principal findings.

Expressions of Concern

An expression of concern may be issued when a serious unresolved issue requires readers' attention while further evaluation or investigation continues.

Retractions

Retraction may be appropriate when published findings are unreliable, serious ethical violations are substantiated, or other circumstances justify withdrawal of the findings from the reliable scholarly record.

Publication of Notices

Editorial notices should identify the affected article, explain the reason for the action, and maintain an accessible link to the publication record.

Retraction does not necessarily require deletion of the original publication. The scholarly record should remain traceable and appropriately marked.

Open Access Policy

Sportify Journal provides online open access to its published articles to support the dissemination and exchange of scientific knowledge.

Published articles are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license.

Copyright ownership and licensing conditions are explained in the Copyright and Licensing Policy .

Artificial Intelligence and Research Integrity

Authors, reviewers, and editors must comply with the journal's Artificial Intelligence Policy.

The policy addresses AI disclosure, human authorship, accuracy and accountability, AI-generated images, confidentiality, and responsible editorial use of AI-assisted technologies.

Read the Artificial Intelligence Policy