Privacy Statement
St. John’s Journal of Literary Research (SJJLR) is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of the personal information of authors, reviewers, editors, editorial board members, readers, and other individuals who interact with the journal and its website.
This Privacy Statement explains what personal information may be collected through the journal website and Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform, how such information is used, how it is protected, and the rights of individuals regarding their personal information.
By registering with the journal, submitting a manuscript, participating in the peer-review process, or otherwise providing personal information through the journal website, users acknowledge this Privacy Statement and consent to the collection and use of their information for the legitimate purposes of journal administration and scholarly publishing.
1. Personal Data We Collect
SJJLR collects personal information only when it is necessary for the administration and operation of the journal. Depending on the user's interaction with the journal, the following information may be collected:
| Data Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Identity Data | Full name, academic title, ORCID iD |
| Contact Data | Email address, institutional affiliation, country |
| Account Data | Username, password, user role such as author, reviewer, or reader |
| Submission Data | Manuscript files, title, abstract, keywords, author information, cover letters, and correspondence |
| Peer Review Data | Reviewer information, review reports, editorial communications, and recommendations |
| Usage Data | Pages visited, browser information, IP address, and other technical information collected through the OJS platform |
Users should provide only information that is necessary and relevant to their interaction with the journal.
2. How We Use Personal Data
Personal information collected by SJJLR is used only for legitimate journal-related purposes, including:
- Managing user accounts and manuscript submissions.
- Administering the peer-review and editorial processes.
- Communicating editorial decisions and publication-related information.
- Communicating with authors, reviewers, editors, and registered users.
- Preparing and publishing accepted scholarly articles with appropriate author attribution and affiliation.
- Maintaining accurate bibliographic and publication records.
- Improving the functionality and usability of the journal website.
- Generating anonymised usage statistics for journal administration and development.
- Preventing misuse of the journal's submission and publishing systems.
- Complying with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Personal information will not be used for unrelated purposes without appropriate consent or another lawful basis.
3. Data Protection and Security
SJJLR takes reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, loss, or misuse.
Access to personal information within the OJS system is restricted to authorised members of the editorial or administrative team who require such information for legitimate journal activities.
User passwords are handled through the security mechanisms provided by the OJS platform and are not intended to be accessible to journal staff in plain text.
The journal takes reasonable measures to ensure that personal information is retained only for as long as necessary for legitimate journal, scholarly, administrative, or legal purposes.
4. Disclosure to Third Parties
SJJLR does not sell, rent, or commercially trade personal information of its users.
Personal information may be shared with third parties only when reasonably necessary for legitimate scholarly publishing, technical, administrative, or legal purposes.
For example, limited information may be provided to:
- Publishing and scholarly infrastructure services, where required for DOI registration, metadata management, indexing, or preservation.
- Indexing and abstracting services, where relevant to the journal's inclusion in such services.
- Website and technical service providers, where necessary to operate or maintain the journal's website and publishing platform.
- Competent authorities, where disclosure is required by applicable law, regulation, or valid legal process.
Only information reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose will be shared.
5. Rights of Individuals
Subject to applicable law and legitimate journal record-keeping requirements, individuals may have the following rights regarding their personal information:
| Right | Description |
|---|---|
| Right of Access | Request information about the personal data held by the journal. |
| Right of Rectification | Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information. |
| Right of Erasure | Request deletion of personal information where there is no legitimate reason for its continued retention. |
| Right to Withdraw Consent | Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent. |
| Right to Object | Object to certain processing of personal information where applicable. |
Requests concerning personal information should be directed to the journal's editorial office.
The journal may retain certain information where retention is necessary for publication records, scholarly integrity, legal obligations, dispute resolution, or other legitimate purposes.
6. Cookies and Usage Information
The OJS platform used by SJJLR may use cookies and similar technical mechanisms to maintain user sessions, support login functionality, remember user preferences, and provide essential website functionality.
The website may also collect limited technical and usage information, such as browser type, IP address, page views, and article access information, for security, system administration, and anonymised usage statistics.
Users may manage or disable cookies through their web browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the journal website or submission system.
7. Manuscripts and Confidentiality
Manuscripts submitted to SJJLR are handled through the journal's editorial and peer-review processes.
Information relating to unpublished manuscripts, editorial decisions, reviewer identities, review reports, and editorial correspondence is treated as confidential and is accessed only by authorised individuals involved in the relevant editorial process.
The journal will not disclose confidential peer-review or editorial information except where disclosure is required by applicable law or is necessary for the proper administration of the journal.
8. Changes to This Privacy Statement
SJJLR may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes in applicable laws, journal policies, publishing practices, technology, or the OJS platform.
Any revised Privacy Statement will be made available on the journal website. Users are encouraged to review this page periodically to remain informed about how their information is handled.
9. User Consent
By registering an account, submitting a manuscript, participating in peer review, subscribing to journal communications, or otherwise providing personal information through the SJJLR website, users acknowledge that they have read and understood this Privacy Statement.
Where consent is required by applicable law, the journal will obtain such consent in an appropriate manner.
Contact
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Statement or the handling of personal information, please contact the Editorial Office of St. John’s Journal of Literary Research through the official contact details provided on the journal website.