1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting a manuscript to the Yalova University Journal of Sports Sciences are deemed to have accepted the following ethical responsibilities:
• Submitted manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
• All sources used must be accurately and completely cited. All quotations must be clearly indicated.
• Any financial or personal relationships that may lead to a conflict of interest must be explicitly disclosed.
• Individuals who did not make intellectual contributions to the study must not be listed as authors, and all contributors must be appropriately listed in order of contribution.
• Authors must be prepared to provide the raw data upon editorial request during the review process.
• Authors must hold the necessary usage rights for the data and materials used in their study and, when applicable, must be able to provide documentation of legal or ethical approvals.
• If a significant error or inaccuracy is discovered in a submitted or published article, authors are responsible for promptly informing the editor and cooperating in correction or retraction procedures.
• A manuscript may not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously.
• Changes to authorship (such as adding or removing authors or reordering authorship) after submission are only permitted with the written consent of all authors and approval from the editor.

2. Ethical Duties and Responsibilities of Editors

The editors of the Yalova University Journal of Sports Sciences adhere to the COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors. They are responsible for the following:
a) Publication Quality and Editorial Decisions
• Editors make objective and impartial decisions based on the originality, scientific merit, and relevance of the manuscript.
• They are responsible for maintaining the scientific integrity of all content published in the journal.
• Editors must ensure timely publication of corrections, retractions, or clarifications when necessary.
b) Relations with Authors
• Editors provide clear, constructive, and timely communication regarding the editorial and peer review process.
• They ensure the integrity of the double-blind peer review process.
• Editors respect prior editorial decisions unless there is a valid reason for reconsideration.
c) Relations with Reviewers
• Editors select reviewers with appropriate expertise.
• They provide reviewers with the necessary guidance and resources.
• Editors protect reviewer confidentiality and ensure that the double-blind review process is strictly followed.
• Unethical, unprofessional, or biased reviews are rejected.
d) Relations with the Editorial Board and Publisher
• Editors work in regular communication with the editorial board and ensure compliance with journal policies.
• Editorial independence is maintained at all times; decisions are not influenced by the publisher or external parties.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

The Yalova University Journal of Sports Sciences uses a double-blind peer review system for all submissions. Reviewers are expected to comply with the following ethical responsibilities:
• Reviewers should accept only those manuscripts for review that fall within their area of expertise.
• Reviews must be conducted impartially, using clear and respectful language.
• Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed to the editor, and the manuscript must be returned.
• Reviewers must treat all information obtained during the review process as confidential and must not use it for personal gain.
• Reviews must be based solely on the scientific content of the manuscript and must not be influenced by the authors' gender, ethnicity, political beliefs, or other personal characteristics.
• Reviews must be completed within the agreed timeframe.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

• The publisher upholds editorial independence and does not interfere in the editorial process.
• The publisher is responsible for protecting the copyright and intellectual property rights of all published content.
• In cases of suspected ethical misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, data fabrication, citation manipulation), the publisher will take appropriate corrective actions.

5. Reporting Ethical Misconduct

If you encounter any unethical behavior or content related to the editorial process or published articles in the Yalova University Journal of Sports Sciences, please contact the editorial board via the following email addresses:
Editor Email: yavuzonturk@hotmail.com
Official Contact: sporbilimleri@yalova.edu.tr