Privacy Statement

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information necessary for the operation of the peer-review and publication process. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • For Authors: Name, affiliation, contact details (email, institutional address, phone number), ORCID iD, academic biography, and payment information (if applicable for article processing charges).
  • For Reviewers & Editorial Board Members: Name, affiliation, contact details, ORCID iD, academic expertise, and review history.
  • For Readers & Subscribers: Email address (for subscription/alerts), institutional affiliation, and download history (anonymized for analytics).
  • Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and usage data collected via cookies to improve website functionality and analyze traffic patterns.

2. How We Use the Information

Personal data is used strictly for journal operations:

  • To manage the submission, peer-review, editing, and publication process.
  • To communicate with authors, reviewers, and editors regarding manuscript status and editorial decisions.
  • To authenticate users and maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
  • To send notifications about new issues, calls for papers, or other relevant announcements (opt-in basis).
  • To generate anonymized usage statistics and journal performance metrics.

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

JRAS does not sell or rent personal data to third parties. Data may be shared under the following circumstances:

  • With trusted third-party service providers (e.g., manuscript management systems, hosting services) strictly for journal operations, under confidentiality agreements.
  • When required by law or to protect the rights, safety, or integrity of the journal.
  • Published Articles: Author names, affiliations, contact emails, and ORCID iDs are published alongside articles as part of the scholarly record. This is a standard practice in academic publishing.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. This includes secure servers, encrypted connections (HTTPS), and restricted access to data by journal staff and editors.

5. Data Retention

Personal data is retained as long as necessary for the fulfillment of journal operations and to comply with legal and archival obligations. Unpublished manuscript data may be retained for a limited period. Published articles and associated metadata are preserved indefinitely as part of the scholarly archive.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

  • Access, correct, or update your personal information.
  • Request deletion of your data (subject to legal and operational constraints).
  • Opt-out of non-essential communications.
  • Withdraw consent for data processing where applicable.

To exercise these rights, please contact the editorial office at [Editorial Office Email Address].

7. Cookies and Tracking

The JRAS website uses cookies to enhance user experience and collect anonymized analytics via tools such as Google Analytics. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites (e.g., indexing databases, academic platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites.

9. Compliance and Contact

This privacy statement is aligned with best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and relevant data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR for EU-based interactions). For any privacy-related inquiries, please contact:

Managing Editor, JRAS

[Institution Address]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number – Optional]