About the Journal | Diversitas

Focus and Scope

The journal Diversitas publishes unpublished and original papers, in Spanish, English or Portuguese. They can be:

a) Original scientific research articles.

b) Reviews.

c) Short articles.

d) Reports and case studies.

e) Letter to the editor.

f) Interviews.

a) The papers must present original findings from the authors, that have not been published or are not currently in process of being published in any other media. Its length should be 7000 (including title, abstract, references, figures, tables, and annexes). The article should follow the prototypic guide of a scientific article: introduction, method, results, discussion, conclusions and references.

b) Every article that generates knowledge, not originally, but by compiling systematic articles previously published, is considered a review. Its extension should not exceed 7000 words (including title, abstract, references, figures, tables and annexes). The script to follow is: introduction (where the problem and the relevance of the review must be specified), development of the subject (with the specific sections that correspond to the development of the content), conclusions and references.

c) The scientific articles are those with an original and concise aim that are presented in a short format. The parts of this kind of article should be identical to the ones of the original articles and its max extension is 2000 words.

d) The reports and case studies follow a free structure (authors choice) and have a max extension of 2000 words.

e) The letters to the editor should not exceed 1000 words, they must have polemical subjects, of controversial nature or critics to other writings. This letters can also opinion about some aspects of the editorial policy of the journal, emit a critical judgement about psychological facts of public domain or extend critics and discussions of an article previously published. It is a space of reflection and deepen, complementing ultimate findings.

f) Interviews. They don’t have any pre-stablished guidelines.

The papers must be send to the editor (email address: revistadiversitas@usantotomas.edu.co); they can also be submitted through the OJS platform www.diversitas.usta.edu.co . Papers should not exceed 7000 words, the paper must be in letter size, double spaced, with margins of 2.54 cm (1 inch) to each side. If you have any additional questions about format and style please consult the international Manual of Publications of the American Psychological Association, 6^th version, (APA, 2010).

The journal reserves the right to reproduce in other print and/or electronic media its publications. Originals are not returned and articles that do not fulfill the guidelines are not taken into account. The editorial committee of the journal, reserves the right to introduce formal modifications necessaries to adapt the text to the journal’s publication guidelines.

Peer Review Process

The reception of an article will be notified in a maximum of 15 days, in a maximum of six months authors will be informed about the status of the revision. Eventually, the definitive acceptance can depend on the suggestions or modifications of the paper that the advisors of the editorial committee proposed to the authors. The acceptance of a paper is conditioned to the theoretical, methodological and formal review that two peers (referees, reviewers), through the double blind modality, make of and article. The ultimate decision of accept the paper to publication depends on the editor and the editorial committee of the journal. The authors will get a separate of the published article and/or a printed version of the journal.

If a paper is accepted to be published, the printing and reproduction rights through any form or media are of the editor, although it will be taken into account any reasonable petition of the author to obtain the reproduction permit of his/her contributions.

The redraw of an article will be requested by writing, in a printed document, directed to the editor and it will be effective as soon as the editor answers by writing.

The journal DIVERSITAS: Perspectives in Psychology, follows COPE guidelines (Committee of Ethics of Publications http://publicationethics.org/ ). This international committee stablishes that, when plagiarism is detected or any situation that transgress the ethical norms of scientific publication, we must:

- Reject the article

- Communicate to the author the plagiarism/autoplagiarism situation

- Communicate to the author’s institution the situation

To prevent this situation, the journal uses the antiplagiarism software – Turnitin.

The journal request to the authors to cite the contents of original sources whenever they use them.

Each author should also guarantee that he/her follows the particular ethical criteria of its country. To the Colombian case, Diversitas follows the norms stablished on the Deontological and Bioethical Code of the Exercise of Psychology in Colombia (http://www.tribunales.colpsic.org.co) and of the APA (http://www.apa.org/ethics/code) about the criteria to make research and its publication.

Diversitas DOES NOT charge any fee to submit or publish an article. Our process is completely free for the authors.

Publication Frequency

Diversitas Journal is published twice a year from 2005.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public, which encourages greater global exchange of knowledge.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Policy for plagiarism detection

DIVERSITAS rejects plagiarism and all fraudulent practices, therefore all texts sent for publication will be subject to verification through anti-plagiarism software: Turnitin.

In case of detecting any type of fraud, the text will be removed from the process and the decision will be communicated to the author.

Article processing charges (APCs) and article submission charges

DIVERSITAS does not charge any fees for the submission, assessment and publication of submitted articles.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Diversitas Journal displays Policies for its operation of a public nature subject to the requirements of ethics and scientific and intellectual rigor immersed in the knowledge society adjusted to the guidelines of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO. It also has guidelines for authors, containing the minimum guidelines for submitting articles.

The authors are fully responsible for the ideas expressed in their articles, as well as their ethical suitability. Diversitas journal seeks to ensure the academic and research suitability, respecting the creation and work performed by the authors, through their assessment processes, seeking to protect plurality and relativity of thought and responsibilities for each of the actors in the process.

1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF AUTHORS

The journal will only consider unpublished articles that correspond in to their content and structure to its editorial policies. If the author or authors submit to the journal a paper already published, entirely or in part, this behavior will be considered unethical.
It is the responsibility of the author to avoid any conflict of interest in the publication of data and results (financial, institutional, collaboration relationship or of any other kind between reviewers and authors).
It is considered a good practice for the author to give the relevant credits to all persons or institutions that have collaborated in the research projects in which work is based.
It is the responsibility of the author or authors to respect the intellectual property, indicating and clearly referencing any fragment that is taken from the work of another author or authors in the construction of their work. If it is not done this way, it shall be considered as plagiarism and the paper will be rejected for publication.
The selection and final approval of an article will depend on the academic opinion of the peers called upon in each case and the willingness of the authors to make the changes that are suggested as necessary, within an appropriate period of time, after consultation with the Editor of the journal of the time deemed necessary to make the adjustments.
The peer review process of the journals is “double-blind," meaning that neither the authors nor the peers will know each other's identities. In this regard, it is the responsibility of the author to avoid any direct reference or hint about their identity within the body of the paper.
The assessment process requires a policy of exclusivity. This means that the author or authors cannot simultaneously submit their work to another publication whilst in peer review process in the journals of the ESAP. If the authors make a double submission, this conduct will be considered unethical.
The editorial committee reserves the right to reject the publication of any paper submitted, if it considers that it does not correspond to the academic nature of the journals or if the authors incur in any improper behavior, as the ones described above.
The author fully accepts the editorial rules, criteria and procedures of the Journal.
The authors must sign a document of "assignment of economic rights", which authorizes the use, reproduction, transformation, publication of the paper and distribution to the Publishing University. This document is essential to include the article in the Journal.
Sending the article to the Journal implies that the authors agree to submit their papers to the established processes, and their best collaboration to achieve its successful completion. Anyway, the Journal reserves the right to make minor style changes, without consulting the authors.
If the author decides to withdraw the article or if any problems of authorship or conflict of interest arise that forces the Journal to stop the publishing process, the author must bear the costs incurred so far such as remuneration of time and the trust generated for the publication of the article.

2. RESPONSIBILITY OF PEER REVIEWERS

Respect the confidentiality policy of the opinion of the articles set by the journal, which implies that the identity of the peer reviewers cannot be revealed to the authors and that they cannot make any distribution or dissemination of the materials submitted to their assessment.
Accept only papers that correspond to their education and their areas of expertise.
Review the articles responsibly, objectively and impartially, sustaining with sufficient reasons the grounds for the rejection, likewise they should guide authors in the improvement of the paper submitted.
Deliver a clearly explained assessment that adapts to the journal’s assessment format.
Deliver a decision within the period agreed with the Editor.
Use a clear, inoffensive, language respecting the authors in the assessment of their work.
Report any conflict of interest identified at the time of assessment of the appointed paper.
Identify and inform to the editor any coincidence of the document with any publication or ongoing work.

3. EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The participants in the editorial process, according to the established functions, are responsible for the definition, implementation and assessment of the Editorial Policies, so that they comply with the standards of an academic publication valued as scientific at national and international level.

The continuous self-assessment process is a fundamental principle of the editorial work, and therefore it has the structure and organization which ensures the quality and expectations of the academic community.

When the situation warrants, the Journal will publish corrections, clarifications, rectifications and provide the relevant explanations. Thus, receiving complaints involves the response of the person in charge, within an appropriate period of time; initiating, if necessary, the internal investigations to solve the difficulties.

It is always sought, respecting, as far as possible, the dates of receipt, the selection of the most relevant articles for publication; based on the assessment and review processes established; which favor quality, originality and relevance – in addition to those that have been specifically indicated –.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDITOR, THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE AND THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Look after the reputation of the Journal by publishing only unpublished, academic and scientifically relevant and quality material.
Publish each number according to their periodicity.
Make an assessment of the works received before sending them to the peer reviewers to verify the adjustment thereof to the "Guidelines for authors" defined by the journal.
To accept or reject the entries received based solely on anonymous opinions received from the peers (if they do not agree in their decision, the Editor, the Editorial Committee and the Scientific Committee of the Journal will make a final decision).
Keep at all times mutual confidentiality in relation to both the authors and the peer reviewers.
Provide clear and timely information to authors from the time of receipt of their articles and until when a decision has been taken.
Conduct a transparent and impartial editing and publishing process, with full respect for the authors and their works.
Be available to both authors and for peer reviewers in order to clarify the questions that arise during the assessment and editing processes.
Pass all papers submitted to the journal through the anti-plagiarism software, in order to avoid as far as possible an accusation of plagiarism.
Send to the publisher the full material for is editorial production in compliance with the requirements set by the publisher, ensuring the quality, relevance and accuracy of the content.