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Editorial Policy

1.1 Sociological Research Online is an international journal published in English which promotes rapid communication among sociologists without limitation of topic or approach. It publishes high quality applied sociology, focusing on theoretical, empirical and methodological discussions which engage with current political, cultural and intellectual topics and debates. Articles published by Sociological Research Online are concerned with the application of sociological forms of analysis to a wide range of public issues and private concerns, thereby demonstrating the wide social relevance of sociological research and theory to understanding contemporary social issues.

1.2 Institutional Subscriptions to Sociological Research Online cost £205 (+ VAT where applicable) per annum and can be obtained through subscription agents such as Ebsco and LM. Access for individuals is free through Internet Service Providers.

1.3 Sociological Research Online publishes high quality fully refereed articles which have gone through the processes of peer review and, where appropriate, such revision as is recommended by the Editors. It will be indexed and abstracted in the usual print journals and bibliographical searching tools, as well as in those specific to electronic media. Issues of the journal will be permanently archived and available to researchers in that form.

1.4 Articles submitted to Sociological Research Online will be reviewed by members of its Editorial Board and other international sociologists selected by the editors, who act in an advisory capacity to the Editor/s. Whole articles are reviewed, not abstracts or summaries.

1.5 The Editors, Editorial Board and Management Board of Sociological Research Online express their commitment, in line with British Sociological Association policy, to encouraging the widest possible involvement in the journal in all aspects of its work and publication.

1.6 Sociological Research Online Editorial Board membership and those consulted additionally as referees endeavour to reflect the range and interests in the discipline and in so far as possible to have a gender balance. Where deemed necessary by the Editors, additional members may be coopted.

1.7 Articles for review will be anonymised wherever possible. The comments provided to authors by Editorial Board members and by the Editors will be constructive and helpful and designed to aid authors in producing articles of a publishable standard. Such comments will not be published by the Editors or Board Members, but should be used by the author in revising their article.

1.8 Intending authors should note that the policy of Sociological Research Online is that there is an at least four issue gap in articles published by the same author or joint authors. Where the author of an article published in the journal submits an article jointly with someone who has not published in SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ONLINE in the previous four issues, there will be a gap of at least two issues; thereafter, the four issue rule comes into effect. An exception to this is within Special Sections, where articles by the same author or co-author may appear.

1.9 The journal's website is located at: <http://www.socresonline.org.uk/home.html>.

2 Copyright and the Interests of the Author

2.1 On acceptance of an article for publication, the author will sign a contract with the journal safeguarding the interests of both parties. More information can be found under the Copyright Notice.

3 Publication Ethics

3.1 Sociological Research Online follows the ethical guidelines laid down by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in respect of cases of research and publication misconduct, for instance, plagiarism. It abides by its Code of Conduct for Journal Editors.

3.2 On acceptance of an article for publication, the author will sign a contract with the journal safeguarding the interests of both parties. More information can be found under the Copyright Notice.