Policies
1. Open Access Policy
Open Access (OA) articles in DEEKSHA: A Bi-Annual Peer-Review Journal are published under Creative Commons licenses. These provide an industry‑standard framework that supports the re‑use and sharing of OA material while protecting the rights of authors.
Articles published under the open access model in DEEKSHABi-Annual Peer-Review Journal use one of the following Creative Commons licenses:
CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International license)
The article may be shared or redistributed for non‑commercial purposes, as long as the original authors and the journal are properly credited. Commercial use and the creation or sharing of adapted or derivative versions require prior permission from the copyright holder(s).
CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license)
The article may be shared, adapted, and reused for any purpose (including commercial use), provided that the original authors and the journal are clearly acknowledged.
All Creative Commons licenses require that the license type be clearly stated and referenced whenever the content is shared, in whole or in part. This helps readers and users understand how they may legally reuse the published work.
Articles published under other models (if applicable, e.g., subscription like or institutional hosted) may carry different terms of use. Authors are advised to consult the journal’s Author Guidelines or contact the editorial office for details on how others may use their work and what rights are retained as an author.
2. Copyright and Author Rights
We believe that authors should retain the copyright of their research manuscripts and receive clear credit for their work. DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work is committed to protecting authors against infringement of intellectual property, while also respecting the sensitivities and concerns of the research community.
The journal proactively identifies, monitors, and takes action against potential instances of infringement to ensure that any threats to the intellectual property rights of our authors are addressed promptly and appropriately.
Open Access Articles
Authors retain the copyright of all open access (OA) articles published in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work. Authors publishing their articles under the OA model will sign an Open Access License to Publish Agreement (LTP) and grant the journal:
Non exclusive rights to publish, reproduce, and disseminate the article, where a CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International) license is selected.
Exclusive commercial and derivative rights, where a CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International) license is selected, subject to the conditions of the chosen license.
Regardless of the license, authors are always credited as the original creators of the work, and the journal ensures proper attribution in all online and print versions.
Subscription or Institutional Hosted Articles
For articles published under subscription like or institutional hosted models, Deeksha Annual Peer Review Journal does not require authors to transfer full copyright of their published contributions. Authors retain ownership of their intellectual property, while the journal is granted necessary rights to publish and archive the work.
In addition to the uses described in the Rights for Reuse section of the journal, authors have additional rights to make use of their articles, including:
Sharing preprints or post-prints in institutional repositories or personal websites, subject to the specific license or agreement in force.
Reusing figures, tables, or text in future publications, provided proper acknowledgment is given to DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work.
Unless otherwise specified, these rights refer to the published version of the record, in whole or in part, and are subject to the journal’s chosen license (e.g., CC BY or CC BY NC ND) and any applicable funder or institutional policies.
3. Withdrawal Policy
DEEKSHA is committed to maintaining the integrity of the academic publishing process. Authors should carefully consider their decision to withdraw an article after submission, as it can disrupt the editorial and peer review process. This policy outlines the conditions and procedures for withdrawing a manuscript.
Pre-Review Withdrawal
Authors may request to withdraw a manuscript before it enters the peer review process. In this case, the withdrawal request must be submitted in writing by the corresponding author to the editorial office via journal email address.
Procedure: The request should include the manuscript ID, title, and a brief explanation for the withdrawal.
Confirmation. Upon receipt, we will acknowledge the withdrawal request and confirm the withdrawal of the manuscript from consideration within fourteen days after consulting the editorial board.
Post-Review Withdrawal
If the manuscript has entered the peer review process, withdrawal requests will be considered but are subject to terms and conditions suggested by the editorial board from time to time. We expect authors to make every effort to continue with the submission process unless there are compelling reasons to withdraw.
Procedure: The corresponding author must submit a formal written request, including the manuscript ID, title, and a detailed explanation of the reason for withdrawal.
Editor’s Discretion: The editor-in-chief will review the request in consultation with the editorial board and may consult with reviewers before granting or denying the request which is subject to the rules and regulations laid down by the journal editorial board from time to time which may include financial implications.
Potential Consequences: Repeated withdrawals after the peer review process may negatively affect future submissions from the author(s).
Post-Acceptance Withdrawal
Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, withdrawal requests will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as:
Author Misconduct: If the authors discover significant errors in their work that render the conclusions invalid.
Plagiarism or Duplicate Publication: If there is a case of inadvertent duplicate submission or plagiarism, the authors should notify the editorial office immediately.
Procedure: The corresponding author must submit a formal request, outlining the reason for the withdrawal in detail.
Editor’s Review: The editorial team will carefully review the request, and the final decision will rest with the editor-in-chief.
Possible Sanctions: In cases of misconduct or failure to provide a valid reason for withdrawal, the journal reserves the right to take further action, including notifying relevant institutions and publishers.
After Publication Withdrawal or Retraction
In rare cases, an article may need to be withdrawn or retracted after it has been published. Reasons for this may include:
Major Errors: Critical errors or inaccuracies discovered post-publication.
Ethical Violations: Evidence of unethical research practices, such as plagiarism or falsified data.
Retraction Process: The editorial team, in consultation with the author(s), will determine whether a formal retraction is necessary. A notice of retraction will be published, explaining the reason for the retraction, and the original article will be marked as retracted in all versions (print and online).
Post-Retraction Access: The retracted article will remain accessible in the journal archive with a clear notice of retraction.
All these procedures will involve human resources and the expenses incurred for the same should be borne by the author(s).
Fees and Penalties
• Pre-Review: No penalties or fees are typically associated with pre-review withdrawals.
• Post-Review: Withdrawal after peer review but before acceptance may incur processing fees to cover administrative and reviewer efforts. These fees will be outlined clearly upon submission.
• Post-Acceptance: Withdrawal after acceptance may result in additional charges and restrictions on future submissions to the journal.
• How to Request a Withdrawal
• All withdrawal requests must be submitted via email to alshodhana@staloysius.edu.in by the corresponding author. The subject line should read “Manuscript Withdrawal Request.”
Please provide the following details in the body of the email:
• Manuscript ID and Title
• Author’s full name and contact information
• Reason for withdrawal
• Stage of the review process
Editorial Rights
DEEKSHA reserves the right to refuse a withdrawal request if:
• The manuscript is under consideration by reviewers or editors.
• Withdrawal would compromise the peer review process or journal integrity.
• No valid reason is provided for the withdrawal.
• The journal also reserves the right to publish a notice of withdrawal if necessary to inform the academic community of the reason behind the decision.
Appeals
Authors who believe their withdrawal request was unfairly denied may submit an appeal in writing to the editor-in-chief within 15 days. The appeal will be reviewed by an editorial board or advisory committee.
4. Waiver Policy
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work is committed to promoting academic research and ensuring equitable access to publication opportunities. To support authors from diverse backgrounds, especially those facing financial difficulties, the journal offers a waiver policy for Article Processing Charges (APCs) or other publication‑related fees. This policy outlines the eligibility criteria, application process, and terms for fee waivers.
Eligibility
Fee waivers may be granted to authors who meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Low income countries: Authors affiliated with institutions in countries classified as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank.
• Financial hardship: Authors who can demonstrate financial hardship or lack of institutional support for covering publication fees.
• Students and early career researchers: Students and early career researchers who do not have sufficient funding or grants to pay APCs.
• Special circumstances: Authors facing unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, political unrest, personal hardship, or other crises that significantly affect their ability to pay fees.
Types of waivers
Full waiver: Eligible authors may receive a full waiver, covering 100% of the article processing charges.
Partial waiver: In some cases, authors may qualify for a partial waiver, covering a percentage of the fees (for example, 50% or 75%), depending on the author’s circumstances and the journal’s available resources.
The decision to grant a full or partial waiver is made on a case by case basis, taking into account the author’s situation and the journal’s funding capacity.
How to apply
To apply for a waiver, authors must submit a written request before or during the manuscript submission process. The request should include:
Manuscript title: The title of the manuscript being submitted.
Corresponding author’s details: Name, institutional affiliation, and contact information.
Justification: A brief explanation of why the waiver is being requested, including financial hardship, country of residence, institutional status, or other relevant details.
Supporting documentation: Any documents that can verify the author’s situation, such as:
Proof of affiliation with a low income country institution.
A letter from the institution confirming lack of funding.
A personal statement in special circumstances cases (e.g., disaster, crisis, or chronic hardship).
Waiver requests should be sent to:
Email: deekshajournal_msw@staloysius.edu.in
Subject line: “Waiver Request – DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work”
Confidentiality and editorial independence
All waiver applications are handled with strict confidentiality. Information provided in support of a waiver request will only be used to assess the application and will not be shared outside the editorial office.
The decision to grant or deny a waiver is independent of the peer‑review and editorial process. The academic merit of the manuscript remains the sole basis for acceptance or rejection.
Timing and conditions
Each manuscript is eligible for only one waiver request. Multiple requests for the same manuscript will not be considered.
Waivers must be requested before the invoice for the APC is generated. Retroactive waiver requests (after the invoice has been issued) will not be considered.
Waivers are granted based on the availability of funds and the volume of requests received.
Special issue or sponsored projects
In some cases, special issues or thematic projects may be fully funded by sponsors, institutions, or grant agencies. If an article is part of such a fully funded issue or project, no APC will be charged, and authors are not required to apply for a waiver.
Appeal Process
If an author’s waiver request is denied, they may appeal the decision by submitting a written appeal to the Editor‑in‑Chief within 10 working days of receiving the decision. The appeal will be reviewed by the editorial board, and the author will be notified of the final decision within 20 working days.
5. Citation Policy
Proper citation is essential to acknowledge the work of others, avoid plagiarism, and ensure the credibility and integrity of scholarly communication. This Citation Policy outlines the requirements and guidelines for citing sources in all manuscripts submitted to DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work.
Basic citation principles
Every reference cited in the text must also appear in the reference list, and every item in the reference list must be cited in the text.
All citations must accurately reflect the original source, including correct author names, publication titles, year, volume/issue, and page numbers.
Citations should be directly relevant to the manuscript’s content, supporting claims, data, and research findings.
All sources that have contributed to the development of the manuscript- whether ideas, data, or direct quotations must be cited.
Authors should avoid selective citation that omits important or contrary studies, and should not exclude literature merely because it challenges their own findings.
Types of sources to cite
Primary sources: Original research articles, conference papers, theses, and other firsthand data sources that directly inform the research.
Secondary sources: Review articles, books, or other works that provide interpretation or analysis of primary sources.
Personal communications and unpublished data: These may be mentioned in the text (e.g., “personal communication, 2025”) but should not be included in the reference list.
Websites, online databases, and digital sources: These should be cited with the most up‑to‑date URL, publication or update date, and access date where applicable.
Citation style
The journal requires citations and references to follow APA 7th Edition style.
See: https://apastyle.apa.org/ for detailed guidance.
Authors must ensure that both in‑text citations and the reference list conform to APA 7th‑edition rules (author–date format, italics, capitalization, DOI/URL formatting, etc.).
Avoiding citation misconduct
Authors must not present the work or ideas of others without proper citation. Any form of plagiarism, direct copying of text, paraphrasing without attribution, or failure to credit the source of ideas or data is strictly prohibited.
Practices such as citation stacking (mutually agreed excessive citations), citation cartels, or including irrelevant citations to inflate citation counts are unethical and will be treated as publication misconduct.
Authors should avoid citing articles that have been retracted, unless the retraction itself is the subject of discussion or comment.
Reliable vs. Unreliable sources
Non peer reviewed or unreliable sources, such as predatory journals, general blogs (unless of clear academic value), or user edited websites like Wikipedia, should not be cited as authoritative references.
Such sources may be referenced for informational context only, with clear wording that indicates their non scholarly status.
Reproduced material, images, and datasets
Any data, images, or figures reproduced from other works must be properly cited, and authors must obtain permission from the copyright holder where necessary.
If external datasets are used, they must be cited in the same way as other scholarly sources, including:
Dataset title.
Version (if applicable).
Author(s) or producing organization.
Publisher or repository.
DOI or stable URL.
Using citation‑management tools
Authors are encouraged to use citation‑management tools (e.g., EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley) to maintain consistency and accuracy.
However, authors must review and verify that citations produced by these tools comply with the journal’s requirements, including correct punctuation and APA 7th‑edition formatting.
Corrections and compliance
If authors discover citation errors after submission or publication (e.g., incorrect references, missing in‑text citations, or broken URLs), they should promptly inform the editorial team.
The journal may issue a correction or erratum in case of significant citation inaccuracies.
Editorial review and consequences
The editorial board of DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work reserves the right to review and check the citations in submitted manuscripts to ensure compliance with this policy.
Manuscripts that fail to meet proper citation standards may be returned to authors for revision before peer review.
If authors are found to have engaged in citation malpractice, such as plagiarism or citation manipulation, the journal may take actions including:
Rejection of the manuscript.
Retraction of the article if already published.
Notification to the author’s institution or funding body
A ban on future submissions to the journal for a specified period.
6. Archiving Policy
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work is committed to ensuring the long‑term preservation and accessibility of the scholarly content it publishes. This Archiving Policy explains how the journal ensures that articles and other published materials remain accessible to readers, researchers, and future users, even in the event of changes in platform, discontinuation, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Digital archiving methods
• The journal uses multiple digital archiving methods to preserve published content. This includes:
• Storing articles in the journal’s own online platform with stable, persistent URLs.
• Periodic back‑up of the article database and metadata to ensure data integrity.
• Partnerships and repositories
• To enhance long‑term access and preservation, the journal:
• May partner with institutional repositories, libraries, or national digital archives where feasible, to store published content and ensure wider discoverability.
• Encourages authors to deposit accepted versions of their articles in their institutional or discipline‑specific repositories, in line with the journal’s open access and sharing policies.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Each article published in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) where available. The DOI:
• Provides a permanent, unique link to the article on the internet.
• Ensures that the article remains locatable and accessible even if the journal’s website address, layout, or hosting platform changes.
• Serves as a reliable way to cite and access the official published version of the article.
7. Copyright Policy
DEEKSHA is committed to promoting open access to academic research while ensuring that authors retain the rights to their work. This policy outlines the copyright and licensing terms governing all content published in the journal under Creative Commons (CC) licensing standards.
By submitting and publishing their work in aDEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work, authors agree to the following copyright and licensing terms.
Creative Commons Licensing
All articles published in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work are licensed under a Creative Commons (CC) License, enabling others to share, use, and build upon the work, provided appropriate attribution is given to the original author(s).
The specific license applied depends on the journal’s policy and, where applicable, the author’s preference. The journal primarily uses the following licenses:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
This license permits anyone to:
• Share the work in any medium or format
• Adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the work for any purpose, including commercial use
Provided that:
• Appropriate credit is given to the author(s)
• A link to the license is provided
• Any changes made are clearly indicated
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license permits anyone to:
• Share and adapt the work
• Under the following conditions:
• Use is limited to non-commercial purposes
• Proper attribution is provided
• A link to the license is included
• Any modifications are clearly stated
• Commercial use is not permitted under this license.
Author Rights
Authors publishing with DEEKSHA retain full copyright of their work.
By publishing under a Creative Commons license, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive right to:
Publish, distribute, and display the final version of the article
Archive and deposit the article in institutional or third-party repositories
Promote the article through indexing platforms and academic databases
Authors retain the right to:
• Share their work on personal websites, institutional repositories, and academic networking platforms
• Include the work in future books, compilations, dissertations, or theses
• Use the article for teaching and academic purposes
Attribution Requirements
All users of articles published under a Creative Commons license must provide proper attribution, including:
• The full citation of the article as published in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work
• A link to the article’s DOI or journal webpage
• A clear statement of the applicable Creative Commons license (e.g., “This article is licensed under CC BY 4.0.”)
Submission and Publication Agreement
By submitting a manuscript toDEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work, authors confirm that:
• The work is original and has not been published elsewhere
• The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal
• They grant DEEKSHA a non-exclusive right to publish the article under the selected Creative Commons license
• They have obtained all necessary permissions for any third-party materials included
Third-Party Material and Copyright Clearance
If a manuscript contains third-party materials (e.g., images, figures, tables, or graphs) not owned by the authors, authors must:
• Obtain written permission from the copyright holder
• Ensure the material can be published under a Creative Commons license
• Provide proper credit to the copyright holder
• Indicate clearly if any modifications were made
• A statement clarifying the applicable Creative Commons license for the article must also be included.
Reuse of Published Content
Articles published under a Creative Commons license may be reused according to the specific license terms. Permitted reuse includes:
• Redistribution of the article in full
• Adaptation and modification for academic, educational, or research purposes
• Quotation or incorporation into other scholarly works with proper attribution
• For CC BY licensed articles, commercial reuse is permitted.
• For CC BY-NC licensed articles, reuse is restricted to non-commercial purposes only.
Modifications and Derivative Works
• For licenses permitting adaptations (e.g., CC BY and CC BY-NC):
• Any modifications must be clearly indicated
• Original author(s) must be credited
• The derivative work must not misrepresent the original findings or conclusions
Changes to the Copyright Policy
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work reserves the right to update or amend this Copyright Policy to comply with changes in Creative Commons licensing standards, academic publishing practices, or legal requirements.
Policy updates will be communicated appropriately and will not retroactively affect articles published prior to the change.
Copyright Infringement
• If any individual or organization believes that copyrighted material has been used improperly in an article published by DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work is committed to promoting open access to academic research while ensuring that authors retain the rights to their work. This policy outlines the copyright and licensing terms governing all content published in the journal under Creative Commons (CC) licensing standards.
• By submitting and publishing their work in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work, authors agree to the following copyright and licensing terms. They may contact the editorial office with a detailed claim.
• Upon receiving a valid complaint, the journal will:
• Review the claim promptly
• Notify the author(s) involved
• Take appropriate action, which may include correction, removal of infringing content, or retraction where necessary
• This Copyright Policy ensures that all work published in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work is committed to promoting open access to academic research while ensuring that authors retain the rights to their work. This policy outlines the copyright and licensing terms governing all content published in the journal under Creative Commons (CC) licensing standards.
• By submitting and publishing their work in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work, authors agree to the following copyright and licensing terms remains openly accessible while safeguarding authors’ intellectual property rights and maintaining ethical publishing standards.
• If you would like, I can also format this in OJS-ready format, PDF policy format, or align it with COPE-style publishing standards.
8. Corrections and Retractions Policy
DEEKSHA is committed to maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the scholarly record. When errors or ethical concerns are identified in published articles, the journal follows a transparent and systematic process for issuing corrections, retractions, or related notices.
This policy is guided by best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Corrections
A correction (also referred to as an erratum or corrigendum) is issued when a published article contains an error that:
• Affects the accuracy of the publication record
• May mislead readers
• Impacts data interpretation, author attribution, or citation details
• Does not invalidate the overall findings of the article
Types of Corrections
• Erratum: Correction of an error introduced by the journal during production.
• Corrigendum: Correction of an error made by the author(s).
Correction Procedure
• The error must be reported to the editorial office with supporting evidence.
• The Editor-in-Chief will review the request in consultation with the author(s).
• If warranted, a formal correction notice will be published.
• The correction notice will be clearly linked to the original article.
• The original article will remain accessible, with a clear indication that a correction has been issued.
Retractions
A retraction is issued when an article is found to contain serious issues that invalidate its findings or compromise its integrity.
Retractions may occur due to:
• Fabrication or falsification of data
• Plagiarism
• Duplicate publication
• Major methodological errors
• Unethical research practices
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest that significantly affect the work
• Retraction Procedure
• Allegations will be investigated by the editorial board in accordance with COPE guidelines.
• Authors will be notified and given an opportunity to respond.
• If the concern is substantiated, a formal retraction notice will be published.
• The retraction notice will clearly state the reason for retraction.
• The original article will remain online to preserve the scholarly record but will be clearly marked as “Retracted.”
• Retractions are intended to correct the scholarly record and are not meant as punitive actions.
Expressions of Concern
In cases where:
• An investigation is ongoing
• Evidence is inconclusive
• There are serious but unresolved concerns
• The journal may publish an Expression of Concern to alert readers while the matter is being reviewed.
Article Removal
In rare and exceptional circumstances, an article may be removed from the journal website if:
• It violates legal rights
• It is defamatory
• It poses a serious risk to public health or safety
• It is subject to a court order
• In such cases, a removal notice will replace the article, explaining the reason for removal.
Author-Initiated Retractions
Authors may request retraction if they discover significant errors in their published work. The editorial board will evaluate the request and proceed according to established ethical standards.
Transparency and Record Integrity
• All correction, retraction, or expression of concern notices will:
• Be freely accessible
• Be linked to the original article
• Clearly state the reason for the action
• Preserve the integrity of the academic record
DEEKSHA upholds the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all necessary steps to ensure the reliability and credibility of its published content.
9. Peer Review Policy
The peer review process is fundamental to maintaining academic rigor and ensuring the quality of content published in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work. This policy outlines the procedures and principles guiding the journal’s peer review process to ensure fairness, transparency, objectivity, and ethical integrity.
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work follows a double-blind peer review system, in which the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review process to maintain impartiality.
The journal adheres to the ethical guidelines recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Initial Screening Process
Once a manuscript is submitted:
• The editorial team conducts an initial screening to verify alignment with the journal’s focus, scope, and submission guidelines.
• The manuscript is screened for plagiarism and ethical compliance.
• Submissions that pass this stage are assigned to the Editor-in-Chief or an Associate Editor for further processing.
• Manuscripts that do not meet basic standards may be desk-rejected at this stage.
Reviewer Selection
The Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editors select independent peer reviewers with subject-matter expertise relevant to the manuscript.
Reviewers are chosen based on:
Demonstrated expertise in the research area
Prior experience in reviewing scholarly work
Availability to complete the review within the stipulated timeline
Absence of conflicts of interest
Each manuscript is typically reviewed by two or more independent reviewers.
Review Criteria
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts using the following criteria:
• Originality – The manuscript provides has new insights or meaningful contributions
• Significance –The research is important and relevant to the journal’s readership
• Methodology –Research design, methods, and analysis are sound and appropriate
• Clarity and Organization – The manuscript is coherent, structured, and well-written
• Ethical Compliance –Ethical guidelines are (e.g., informed consent, approvals, disclosures followed or not
• Relevance and Timeliness – The topic is relevant to contemporary academic and social contexts?
• Contribution to Knowledge –The manuscript will be adding to the existing body of knowledge
• International Relevance – The discussion accessible and meaningful to National and international academic audience
• Reviewers provide detailed comments, constructive feedback, and a recommendation to the editor.
Editorial Decisions
Based on reviewer reports, the possible editorial decisions are:
• Accept as submitted
• Minor revisions required
• Major revisions required
• Reject
The final decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editors, who consider reviewer recommendations, author responses, and overall manuscript quality.
Revision Process
If revisions are required:
• Reviewer comments are forwarded to the authors.
• Authors are given a specified timeframe to submit a revised manuscript.
• Revisions must be submitted with track changes.
• Authors must provide a detailed point-by-point response addressing each reviewer comment.
• For major revisions, the revised manuscript may be returned to the original reviewers for re-evaluation.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
• Peer reviewers play a vital role in safeguarding scholarly integrity. Reviewers are expected to:
• Provide objective, unbiased, and constructive evaluations
• Submit reviews within the agreed timeframe (normally within 30 days)
• Maintain strict confidentiality
• Disclose any conflicts of interest before accepting the assignment
• Avoid using manuscript content for personal or professional advantage
Responsibilities of Editors
Editors are responsible for:
• Ensuring ethical and efficient management of the peer review process
• Selecting qualified reviewers free from conflicts of interest
• Communicating reviewer feedback clearly to authors
• Making final publication decisions based on merit and scholarly standards
Conflicts of Interest
All participants in the peer review process must disclose potential conflicts of interest, including:
• Financial relationships related to the manuscript
• Personal or professional relationships with the authors
• Competing research interests
• Reviewers with conflicts of interest may be excused from the review process. Authors are encouraged to suggest potential reviewers who are free from conflicts.
Confidentiality
• The peer review process is strictly confidential. Reviewers must not:
• Share the manuscript or its content without editorial permission
• Discuss the manuscript with unauthorized individuals
• Use unpublished material for personal benefit
• Reviewer identities remain confidential unless both parties agree to an open review process.
Appeals and Complaints
Authors who disagree with an editorial decision may submit a formal appeal, providing:
• A detailed explanation of their concerns
• Evidence addressing reviewer comments
• The editorial board will review the appeal and may consult the original or additional reviewers before issuing a final decision.
• Complaints regarding the peer review process may be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief and will be investigated thoroughly and impartially.
Timeliness
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work strives to complete the peer review process efficiently. Reviewers are expected to submit reports within 30 days. Authors will be informed of any delays.
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work upholds the highest standards of ethical publishing and remains committed to a transparent, fair, and rigorous peer review system.
10. Publication Ethics
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work is committed to upholding the integrity of the academic and scientific record. Authors, reviewers, and editors share responsibility for maintaining ethical standards in scholarly publishing.
The journal follows the ethical principles recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all contributors to adhere to good scientific practice.
Originality and Multiple Submissions
Authors must ensure that:
• Manuscripts are not submitted simultaneously to more than one journal.
• The submitted work is original and has not been published previously in any language or format, except where clearly disclosed and justified (e.g., expanded versions of prior work).
• A single study is not inappropriately divided into multiple papers solely to increase publication output (“salami slicing”).
Secondary Publication
Secondary or concurrent publication may be acceptable under specific conditions, such as:
• Translations for different readerships
• Publication for distinct academic audiences
• In such cases, full disclosure and proper permissions are required.
Research Integrity and Data Transparency
Authors must:
• Present results clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation (including image manipulation).
• Follow discipline-specific standards for data collection, selection, analysis, and reporting.
• Be prepared to provide raw data or supporting documentation upon request to verify findings (excluding confidential or proprietary data).
Plagiarism and Proper Attribution
• The journal has zero tolerance for plagiarism. Authors must ensure that:
• No data, text, or ideas of others are presented as their own.
• Proper acknowledgment is given for all sources, including paraphrased and summarized content.
• Quotation marks are used for verbatim text.
• Necessary permissions are obtained for copyrighted materials.
• Self-plagiarism (reuse of one’s own previously published work without citation) is avoided.
Use of Instruments, Software, and Tools
• Authors must confirm that they have proper authorization for the use of:
• Licensed software
• Questionnaires or survey tools
• Standardized scales or assessment instruments
• Where required, permissions must be documented.
Responsible Citation Practices
Authors must:
• Cite relevant and appropriate literature supporting their claims.
• Avoid excessive or inappropriate self-citation.
• Avoid coordinated citation practices intended to manipulate citation metrics.
Ethical Conduct and Professional Responsibility
Authors should avoid:
• False or defamatory statements about individuals or organizations.
• Personal attacks or unsubstantiated allegations.
• Research with potential dual-use implications (e.g., misuse that could threaten public health, safety, or national security) must be clearly identified and responsibly discussed in the manuscript.
Authorship and Contributions
Authors must ensure that:
• All listed authors have made substantial contributions to the work.
• The corresponding author and author order are finalized at submission.
• Changes in authorship (addition, deletion, or rearrangement) during the review process are generally discouraged and require:
• Written consent from all authors
• A detailed explanation for the change
• No authorship changes are permitted after acceptance of the manuscript.
Respect for Third-Party Rights
Authors must respect copyright and moral rights of third parties and obtain necessary permissions for reproduced materials.
Handling Allegations of Misconduct
If misconduct or ethical concerns are suspected, the journal will initiate an investigation in accordance with COPE guidelines.
Authors will be:
• Contacted via their registered email
• Given an opportunity to respond to the allegations
• Depending on the outcome, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:
• Reject the manuscript (if under review)
• Issue a correction (erratum)
• Publish an expression of concern
• Retract the article in severe cases
In cases of retraction:
• The article will remain accessible online
• It will be clearly watermarked as “Retracted”
• A retraction notice explaining the reason will be linked to the article
• The author’s institution may be informed where appropriate.
Ethical Record and Transparency
Where necessary, a notice of ethical concern may be included in the bibliographic record of the article. The journal prioritizes transparency while safeguarding the integrity of the academic record.
11. Fundamental Errors
Authors have an ongoing responsibility to maintain the accuracy of the scholarly record. If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in a published article, they are obligated to promptly notify the journal and clearly explain how the error affects the content, interpretation, or conclusions of the work. The editorial team will assess the nature and severity of the error and determine the appropriate course of action in line with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Depending on the circumstances, the issue may be addressed through a formal correction or, in more serious cases, a retraction. Any retraction notice will clearly indicate which parts of the article are affected and provide a transparent explanation to maintain the integrity of the academic record.
Suggesting or Excluding Reviewers
Authors are welcome to suggest suitable reviewers or request the exclusion of certain individuals at the time of manuscript submission. When suggesting reviewers, authors must ensure that the proposed individuals are fully independent and have no conflict of interest or direct connection with the work. It is strongly recommended that suggested reviewers represent diverse institutions and different countries to support impartial evaluation. The Corresponding Author must provide an institutional email address for each suggested reviewer. If this is not possible, alternative means of verifying identity—such as a link to an official institutional profile, personal academic homepage, publication record, or researcher identifier—must be included in the submission letter. While the journal appreciates reviewer suggestions and may consider them to facilitate the peer review process, the final selection of reviewers remains solely at the discretion of the editorial team.
Authorship Principles
DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work expects all authors to adhere to responsible authorship practices. The journal assumes that all listed authors have agreed to the content of the manuscript, have given explicit consent for submission, and have obtained any necessary approval from the relevant authorities or institutions where the research was conducted.
Although the journal does not prescribe specific contribution thresholds for authorship, authors are encouraged to follow discipline-specific authorship standards. In the absence of such guidelines, authorship should be based on substantial intellectual contribution. Individuals listed as authors should have made significant contributions to the conception or design of the work, or to the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data, or to the development of software used in the research. They should have participated in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content, approved the final version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work. This includes ensuring that any questions related to the accuracy or integrity of the research are properly investigated and resolved.
Disclosures and Declarations
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate).The decision whether such information should be included is not only dependent on the scope of the journal, but also the scope of the article. Work submitted for publication may have implications for public health or general welfare and in those cases, it is the responsibility of all authors to include the appropriate disclosures and declarations.
Data Transparency
All authors are requested to make sure that all data and materials as well as software application or custom code support their published claims and comply with field standards. Please note that journals may have individual policies on (sharing) research data in concordance with disciplinary norms and expectations.
Role of the Corresponding Author
One author is assigned as the Corresponding Author and acts on behalf of all co-authors and ensures that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately addressed. The Corresponding Author is responsible for the following requirements:
Ensuring that all listed authors have approved the manuscript before submission, including the names and order of authors;
Managing all communication between the Journal and all co-authors, before and after publication.
Providing transparency on re-use of material and mention any unpublished material (for example manuscripts in press) included in the manuscript in a cover letter to the Editor.
Making sure disclosures, declarations and transparency on data statements from all authors are included in the manuscript as appropriate.
The requirement of managing all communication between the journal and all co-authors during submission and proofing may be delegated to a Contact or Submitting Author. In this case, please make sure the Corresponding Author is clearly indicated in the manuscript.
Author Contributions
In absence of specific instructions and in research fields where it is possible to describe discrete efforts, the Publisher recommends authors to include contribution statements in the work that specifies the contribution of every author in order to promote transparency. These contributions should be listed at the separate title page.
Affiliation
The primary affiliation for each author should be the institution where the majority of their work was done. If an author has subsequently moved, the current address may additionally be stated. Addresses will not be updated or changed after publication of the article.
Changes to Authorship
Authors are strongly advised to ensure the correct author group, the Corresponding Author, and the order of authors at submission. Changes of authorship by adding or deleting authors, and/or changes in Corresponding Author, and/or changes in the sequence of authors are not accepted after acceptance of a manuscript.
Please note that author names will be published exactly as they appear on the accepted submission.
Please make sure that the names of all authors are present and correctly spelled, and that addresses and affiliations are current. Adding and/or deleting authors at revision stage are generally not permitted, but in some cases it may be warranted. Reasons for these changes in authorship should be explained. Approval of the change during revision is at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. Please note that journals may have individual policies on adding and/or deleting authors during revision stage.
Author Identification
Authors are recommended to use their ORCID ID when submitting an article for consideration or acquire an ORCID ID via the submission process.
Deceased or Incapacitated Authors
For cases in which a co-author dies or is incapacitated during the writing, submission, or peer-review process, and the co-authors feel it is appropriate to include the author, co-authors should obtain approval from a (legal) representative which could be a direct relative.
Authorship Issues or Disputes
In the case of an authorship dispute during peer review or after acceptance and publication, the Journal will not be in a position to investigate or adjudicate. Authors will be asked to resolve the dispute themselves. If they are unable the Journal reserves the right to withdraw a manuscript from the editorial process or in case of a published paper raise the issue with the authors’ institution(s) and abide by its guidelines.
Compliance with Ethical Standards
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals.Authors should include the following statements (if applicable) in a separate section entitled “Compliance with Ethical Standards” when submitting a paper:
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
Research involving Human Participants and/or Animals
Informed consent
Please note that standards could vary slightly per journal dependent on their peer review policies (i.e. single or double blind peer review) as well as per journal subject discipline. Before submitting your article check the instructions following this section carefully. The corresponding author should be prepared to collect documentation of compliance with ethical standards and send if requested during peer review or after publication. The Editors reserve the right to reject manuscripts that do not comply with the above-mentioned guidelines. The author will be held responsible for false statements or failure to fulfil the above-mentioned guidelines. Authors, reviewers, or editors found guilty of misconduct may face consequences, including retraction of published work, bans on future submissions, or reporting to relevant institutions.
Competing Interests
Authors are requested to disclose interests that are directly or indirectly related to the work submitted for publication. Interests within the last 3 years of beginning the work (conducting the research and preparing the work for submission) should be reported. Interests outside the 3-year time frame must be disclosed if they could reasonably be perceived as influencing the submitted work. Disclosure of interests provides a complete and transparent process and helps readers form their own judgments of potential bias. This is not meant to imply that a financial relationship with an organization that sponsored the research or compensation received for consultancy work is inappropriate.
Online First
The article will be published online after receipt of the corrected proofs. This is the official first publication citable with the DOI. After release of the printed version, the paper can also be cited by issue and page numbers.
Publishing Fee
Authors who publish open access in DEEKSHA: A Bi - Annual Peer-Review Journal of Social Work are required to pay an article processing charge (APC). The APC price will be determined from the date on which the article is accepted for publication. The current APC, subject to VAT or local taxes where applicable.
Contact Details
Authors may send soft copies of manuscripts directly to the mail: deekshajournal_msw@staloysius.edu.in
Chief Editor:
Dr. Roshan Monteiro
Associate Editors: Faculty Members, Department of Social Work
Editorial Advisory Board: Senior Academicians and Subject Experts (National & International)
DEEKSHA – Editorial Office
Department of PG Studies and Research in Social Work
St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University)
Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
Email: roshan_monteiro@staloysius.edu.in
Website: www.staloysius.edu.in
