General Principles
Science Insights processes personal information where reasonably necessary to operate its journals, administer scholarly publishing activities, communicate with participants in the publication process and maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
We seek to collect and use personal information for legitimate and relevant purposes and to avoid collecting information that is unnecessary for those purposes.
The information processed and the manner in which it is used may vary according to an individual's relationship with Science Insights, such as whether the individual is an author, reviewer, editor, reader or other user.
Information We Collect
Personal information may be provided directly by individuals when they create an account, submit a manuscript, participate in peer review, communicate with a journal, register an interest or otherwise interact with Science Insights.
Depending on the activity, information may include names, email addresses, institutional affiliations, postal or professional contact information, academic or professional details, researcher identifiers and information associated with manuscripts or editorial activities.
We may also receive relevant information from co-authors, editors, reviewers, institutions, publicly available scholarly sources or services used in connection with the publication process.
Information Used in Scholarly Publishing
Scholarly publishing requires certain information to identify authors, manage submissions, select appropriate reviewers, conduct peer review, communicate editorial decisions and maintain the published scholarly record.
Information associated with a manuscript may include author names, affiliations, email addresses, ORCID identifiers, contributor information, funding disclosures, competing interests, ethical declarations and editorial correspondence.
Additional information may be requested where reasonably necessary to verify authorship, conflicts of interest, ethical approval, research integrity or another matter relevant to editorial assessment.
How Information Is Used
Personal information may be used to administer manuscript submission, editorial assessment, peer review, production, publication, correction, preservation and related scholarly publishing activities.
Information may also be used to communicate with authors, reviewers, editors and other users, maintain journal accounts and records, investigate publication-integrity concerns, respond to enquiries and protect the security and proper operation of our publishing systems.
Where appropriate, information may also be processed to maintain accurate publication metadata and facilitate discovery, citation, indexing and preservation of scholarly content.
Peer Review and Editorial Processes
Personal information may be shared with editors, reviewers, authors or other appropriate participants where necessary to conduct the editorial and peer-review process.
Science Insights journals generally operate a double-blind peer-review process. Information identifying authors and reviewers should therefore be handled in accordance with the applicable journal's peer-review procedures and confidentiality requirements.
Reviewer identities and confidential editorial information are not intended for public disclosure except where disclosure is authorized, required by applicable procedures or necessary to address a significant integrity, legal or ethical matter.
Further information is provided in the Peer Review Policy .
Published Information
Scholarly publication necessarily involves making certain information publicly available as part of the permanent academic record.
Published information may include author names, affiliations, ORCID identifiers, corresponding author details where applicable, acknowledgements, funding information, competing-interest statements and other information included in or associated with the published article.
Once information forms part of the published scholarly record, complete removal may not always be appropriate or practicable. Requests concerning published information will be considered in light of scholarly-record integrity, privacy, legal requirements and the circumstances of the case.
Service Providers
Science Insights may use third-party service providers to support functions such as website hosting, manuscript management, email delivery, digital preservation, DOI registration, technical infrastructure or other publishing operations.
Such providers may process information where necessary to provide their services. The nature and extent of processing depend on the particular service being used.
Science Insights seeks to use service providers in a manner appropriate to the information and publishing function concerned.
Technical and Website Data
When users access Science Insights or journal websites, servers and supporting systems may process technical information associated with the request, such as IP addresses, browser or device information, requested pages, timestamps and related technical records.
Such information may be used for website operation, security, troubleshooting, system administration, abuse prevention and statistical or usage analysis.
Cookies or similar technologies may also be used where necessary for website functionality, authentication, user preferences or other legitimate website functions. The technologies actually used may vary across Science Insights websites and journal platforms.
Data Retention
Personal information is retained for periods appropriate to the purpose for which it is processed and to relevant publishing, scholarly, administrative, security and legal requirements.
Some editorial and publication records may need to be retained for extended periods because they form part of the history and integrity of the scholarly publication process.
Science Insights does not apply a single retention period to every category of information. Retention may depend on the nature of the record, its relationship to a published article or submission, and legitimate operational or legal requirements.
Data Security
Science Insights takes reasonable administrative and technical measures intended to protect information against unauthorized access, alteration, loss, misuse or disclosure.
Access to editorial and administrative information should be limited according to relevant roles and operational requirements.
No method of electronic storage or transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Accordingly, absolute security of information cannot be guaranteed.
Privacy Rights and Requests
Depending on applicable law and the circumstances, individuals may have rights concerning personal information relating to them, which may include requesting access to or correction of certain information.
Other rights may apply under relevant data protection laws, subject to applicable conditions, limitations and exemptions.
Requests concerning personal information may be submitted through the appropriate Science Insights or journal contact channel. Reasonable information may be requested to verify identity and understand the scope of the request.
A request to erase personal information does not necessarily require removal of information that must appropriately be retained as part of the scholarly record, for legal purposes, to protect publication integrity or for another legitimate reason permitted by applicable law.
Third-Party Websites and Services
Science Insights websites may contain links to external websites or services operated by other organizations.
The privacy practices of those independent services are governed by their own policies and are not controlled by Science Insights merely because a link to the service appears on one of our websites.
Users should review the privacy information provided by relevant third-party services where appropriate.
International Processing
Scholarly publishing is international in nature. Authors, reviewers, editors, service providers and readers may be located in different countries.
As a result, information associated with publishing activities may be processed or accessed across national borders where necessary for legitimate editorial, technical or publishing purposes.
Where applicable data protection requirements govern such processing, appropriate requirements should be considered in relation to the particular activity concerned.
Changes to This Policy
Science Insights may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in publishing practices, technologies, services, regulatory requirements or organizational processes.
The current version published on the Science Insights website represents the applicable publisher-level privacy policy.