Conflict of Interest Policy

1. Purpose

The Irsa Journal of Sports Studies and Physical Education (IJSSPE) is committed to ensuring that editorial decisions, peer review, and publication processes are conducted fairly, objectively, and transparently.

This policy establishes the expectations for identifying and disclosing conflicts of interest that may influence, or appear to influence, scholarly judgment.

2. Definition of Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest may arise when financial, professional, personal, academic, or other relationships could improperly influence an author's research, a reviewer's evaluation, or an editor's publication decision.

The existence of a potential conflict does not necessarily indicate misconduct. However, relevant conflicts must be disclosed and managed appropriately.

3. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial interests that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their research or its interpretation.

Relevant interests may include:

Research funding, grants, or financial support.
Employment, consultancy, or paid professional relationships.
Ownership interests, patents, or commercial affiliations.
Personal, professional, or academic relationships that may affect impartiality.

If no relevant conflict of interest exists, authors should include a statement such as: “The authors declare no conflict of interest.”

4. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers must disclose any circumstances that could affect their ability to evaluate a manuscript impartially.

Reviewers should not accept or continue a review when a significant conflict could compromise their objectivity. They must maintain confidentiality and avoid using unpublished information for personal or professional advantage.

5. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors must make publication decisions based on the scholarly quality, originality, relevance, and ethical standards of submitted manuscripts.

Editors must disclose relevant conflicts and refrain from handling manuscripts when their impartiality may reasonably be questioned. Alternative editorial arrangements may be made when necessary.

6. Funding Disclosure

Authors must acknowledge financial support relevant to their research and identify the funding source where applicable. Any role played by a funder in the research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or preparation of the manuscript should be disclosed when relevant.

7. Disclosure and Editorial Assessment

Conflict-of-interest disclosures should be included in the manuscript or submitted through the journal's designated submission process.

If a potential undisclosed conflict is identified, the editorial team may request additional information and assess the matter in accordance with the journal's publication ethics principles.

8. Published Articles

If a relevant conflict of interest is identified after publication, the journal will assess the available information and determine whether a correction or other appropriate action is necessary, in accordance with its Publication Ethics Policy and Corrections and Retraction Policy.

9. Final Statement

IJSSPE expects authors, reviewers, and editors to act with honesty, transparency, and impartiality. Disclosure and appropriate management of conflicts of interest help protect the credibility of the peer-review process and the integrity of the scholarly record.