- Mission and Scope
JDSE is a student-led, peer-reviewed journal at the University of Notre Dame, dedicated to fostering scholarly dialogue and showcasing research with real-world relevance at the intersection of data science and societal impact. Our goal is to provide students with a platform to contribute to academic discourse, while also addressing pressing societal challenges. We invite a wide range of submissions, including original research, theoretical studies, and critical analyses, emphasizing interdisciplinary work that merges data-driven methodologies with social and ethical considerations. - Peer Review Process
All submissions are subject to a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure unbiased and fair evaluations. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two student peers and/or faculty advisors. Reviewers are chosen for their subject matter expertise and provide detailed feedback focusing on the relevance, methodological rigor, and contribution of the manuscript. In alignment with our educational mission, we encourage a collegial review process that is both critical and constructive, aimed at enhancing the scholarly growth of both authors and reviewers. - Editorial Autonomy and Decision-Making
The editorial team is composed of student editors, supported by faculty mentors when necessary, and operates independently in making editorial decisions. Manuscript acceptance is based solely on scholarly merit, quality, and alignment with the journal’s scope. The editorial team carefully considers reviewer feedback, but final decisions rest with the editors. The editorial process encourages transparency and accountability, ensuring that all submissions are treated with fairness and integrity. - Submission Guidelines and Authorship
Authors submitting to JDSE must ensure that all contributions are original and properly attribute sources. Authorship should reflect significant intellectual contributions to the research, with any supporting contributors acknowledged appropriately. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited, and any detected instances will result in rejection or retraction of the work. Authors must confirm that their submission has not been published elsewhere or is under review at other journals. - Ethics in Research and Publication
JDSE adheres to the highest ethical standards in academic research and publishing. Submissions must comply with institutional ethical guidelines, including proper treatment of human subjects, respect for privacy, and data integrity. We also expect authors to maintain ethical transparency, disclosing any conflicts of interest or financial support that may influence their research. Manuscripts that do not meet these ethical requirements will be rejected or retracted. - Corrections, Retractions, and Appeals
In cases where significant errors or ethical breaches are identified post-publication, JDSE will publish corrections, retractions, or clarifications as necessary. Authors and readers are encouraged to report errors or concerns to the editorial team. Appeals to editorial decisions are permitted if authors believe there has been a misunderstanding or oversight. Appeals will be reviewed by the editorial board, though final decisions are made with careful consideration. - Data Transparency and Reproducibility
We encourage authors to make their data, methods, and code accessible to promote transparency and reproducibility. Where applicable, authors should deposit data in publicly available repositories or make data accessible upon request. Submissions should include sufficient methodological detail to enable other researchers to replicate or build upon the study’s findings, contributing to the broader advancement of knowledge. - Conflicts of Interest
All authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any personal, financial, or academic conflicts of interest that could influence the review or publication process. Transparency in this regard helps maintain the impartiality and credibility of JDSE. If a conflict is identified, the editorial team will take appropriate measures to address it, which may include reassigning reviewers or editors. - Plagiarism and Originality
JDSE upholds strict standards of originality. Manuscripts are screened for plagiarism through available tools and practices. Proper citation of sources is mandatory, and any reuse of prior work must be fully disclosed and appropriately referenced. Instances of plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, will be addressed with immediate rejection of the submission and further investigation if necessary. - Open Access and Copyright
JDSE operates as an open-access journal, providing free and unrestricted access to all published work. Authors retain the copyright to their articles but grant JDSE the right to publish, distribute, and archive their work under a Creative Commons license. This ensures that both the authors and the journal can share knowledge without barriers to the university and broader academic communities. - Diversity, Inclusion, and Collaboration
JDSE values diversity and inclusion in its submissions, editorial practices, and reviewer selection. We actively encourage submissions from students of all backgrounds and disciplines that reflect a wide range of perspectives on data and societal issues. Collaborative research across departments and schools is also encouraged to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and innovative solutions to complex societal challenges.
By adhering to these editorial policies, JDSE strives to uphold academic excellence, transparency, and a commitment to advancing scholarship within our university’s student community. We welcome all stakeholders—students, reviewers, and mentors—to contribute meaningfully to our journal’s mission and uphold the highest standards of scholarly integrity.