1. Introduction

Welcome to the JSS Journal of Scientific Studies (JSS Journal). By accessing and using this platform, submitting manuscripts, or participating in the peer review process, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please read these terms carefully before using our services.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By registering as an author, reviewer, or editor on this platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, as well as our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use this platform or submit any content.

3. Author Responsibilities

4. Reviewer Responsibilities

5. Publication Ethics

JSS Journal adheres to the highest standards of publication ethics as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We are committed to:

• Ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record
• Preventing publication of plagiarized or fraudulent work
• Maintaining confidentiality during the peer review process
• Addressing allegations of misconduct promptly and fairly
• Correcting or retracting published work when necessary

6. Peer Review Process

All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process:

• Initial screening by the editorial team for scope and quality
• Assignment to at least two independent reviewers
• Review period typically 2-4 weeks
• Editorial decision based on reviewer recommendations
• Possible outcomes: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject

7. Data Privacy and Security

We are committed to protecting your personal information:

• Personal data is collected only for journal operations
• Data is stored securely and not shared with third parties without consent
• Users have the right to access, correct, or delete their data
• We comply with applicable data protection regulations

8. Intellectual Property Rights

Authors retain copyright of their published work. By publishing with JSS Journal, authors grant:

• A non-exclusive license to publish and distribute the work
• Permission for the journal to include the work in databases and indexes
• Rights to create derivative works for promotional purposes

9. Open Access Policy

JSS Journal operates on an open access model. All published articles are freely available to readers worldwide immediately upon publication. Authors may be required to pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) to cover publication costs. Fee waivers are available for authors from low-income countries or those facing financial hardship.

10. Corrections and Retractions

The journal will publish corrections, clarifications, or retractions when errors are identified in published work. Retractions will be issued in cases of plagiarism, data fabrication, or other serious ethical violations. All corrections and retractions will be clearly marked and linked to the original article.

11. Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in published articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of JSS Journal or its editorial board. The journal is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content.

12. Limitation of Liability

JSS Journal and its affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of this platform or published content. Users access and use the platform at their own risk.

13. Changes to Terms and Conditions

JSS Journal reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Users will be notified of significant changes via email or platform notification. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes arising from these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Karnataka, India.