Reproducibility Policy

The Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) is committed to strengthening transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness in scholarly publishing by promoting reproducibility in social science and humanities research. We believe that reproducible research enhances credibility, enables cumulative knowledge, and supports informed decision-making in society.

Understanding Reproducibility in Social Sciences and Humanities

In the context of social sciences and humanities, reproducibility refers to the ability of independent researchers to validate findings by applying the same methods, procedures, or analytical approaches to the same or comparable datasets and arriving at consistent results or interpretations.

While full reproducibility may vary depending on methodological, cultural, or contextual factors, JSSHRS encourages authors to document and share research processes in a manner that allows others to understand, assess, and, where possible, replicate or re-analyze the study.

1. Data Availability

  • Open Data Encouragement: Where legally, ethically, and practically possible, authors should make their datasets openly available in reputable repositories (institutional, national, or subject-specific).

  • Data Availability Statement: All submissions must include a statement detailing:

    • Whether the data is publicly available (with repository name and link/DOI),

    • Available upon reasonable request (and from whom), or

    • Restricted (with a clear explanation of limitations, such as confidentiality agreements, privacy concerns, or cultural sensitivities).

  • Anonymization: Personal or sensitive data must be anonymized to protect participants’ privacy and comply with GDPR or relevant data protection laws.

2. Transparency in Methods

  • Detailed Methodology: Authors must provide comprehensive descriptions of methodologies, frameworks, instruments, or archival sources so that the research can be understood and, where applicable, replicated.

  • Software and Tools: Any specialized software, coding scripts, statistical packages, or qualitative analysis tools should be identified, including versions used. Where possible, related scripts or code should be made available as supplementary material.

  • Survey and Interview Instruments: For qualitative research, interview guides, questionnaires, or coding schemes (if not confidential) should be shared as appendices or supplementary files.

3. Documentation and Supplementary Material

  • Supplementary Files: Additional materials that enhance understanding—such as raw tables, transcripts, archival images, or extended methodological appendices—are encouraged to be provided.

  • Archiving: JSSHRS encourages preservation of supplementary data in trusted repositories with clear citations in the published article.

4. Ethical Considerations

  • Confidentiality and Cultural Sensitivity: While promoting openness, authors must balance this with maintaining participant confidentiality, respecting cultural heritage protocols, and complying with legal/ethical norms.

  • Permissions: Authors must ensure they have the right to share data or materials and that sharing does not infringe intellectual property, privacy rights, or community agreements.

5. Incentives and Recognition

  • Studies demonstrating exemplary transparency and reproducibility practices (e.g., sharing accessible datasets, code, or comprehensive documentation) may receive special recognition or editorial highlights in JSSHRS.

  • Replication studies are welcomed, provided they contribute significant insights to the literature and are methodologically sound.

6. Policy Review and Author Guidance

  • This policy will be periodically reviewed to align with evolving best practices in open science and reproducibility.

  • Authors can contact the editorial office for guidance on preparing reproducible submissions or managing sensitive data in compliance with ethical standards.

By adhering to this Reproducibility Policy, authors contribute to building a stronger, more reliable, and more transparent body of knowledge in the social sciences and humanities.