Focus and Scope

Homo Virtualis is a transdisciplinary double-blind peer-reviewed and open access journal for the publication of research papers, discussions and reviews on methodology and theory in the wider field of human complex systems, virtual communities, digital cultures, social networks, and social behaviour in blended (online/offline) techno-social environments. It combines substantial and original knowledge production with open access, communicating efficiently recent scientific findings. Homo Virtualis is centered in social and behavioral sciences, humanities, education and the health disciplines, from a reflexive and critical standpoint.

The journal especially focuses on virtual communities and complexity science as a way of doing research and theory, as well as of re-thinking about individuals, social groups, organizations, eco-systems and society. Homo Virtualis welcomes qualitative, quantitative and mixed research studies, as well as new experimental forms of communicating research combining multi modalities, digital artifacts and arts, adhering to the highest standards of peer review. We are interested in both theoretical and empirical papers, but our special focus is on transdisciplinary approaches integrating theory, research and practice.

Homo Virtualis welcomes both established and young scholars. It constitutes an international forum for scholars who seek to exchange knowledge and to generate understanding on the complexity of social behaviour and new media.

Peer Review Process

The articles received are reviewed by the editorial team, which prepares the corresponding report for the acceptance or rejection of the article, based on the quality criteria. It is checked both if the article meets the formal criteria and the specific scope of the journal. Once the adequacy of the works has been verified, the editors assign the review of the article to two independent reviewers through the "double-blind peer review" system. In case of discrepancy, the editors will assign the review to a third evaluator.

Once the article has been reviewed, each independent reviewer submits an evaluation report in which they recommend accepting the article, carrying out changes and improvements or rejecting the manuscript. At this time, the decision is sent to the authors. If the reviewers have asked the authors to make minor or major changes, they must submit a new version of the work including all the recommendations. The editorial team, according to the initial assessments made in the reviews, will evaluate this work again.

The evaluators play a central role in guaranteeing the quality and integrity of the journal. The peer-review process depends largely on the trust and voluntary participation of the academic community and requires that all actors involved act in a responsible and ethical manner. Homo Virtualis invites its reviewers to follow the guidelines published in the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.

Homo Virtualis journal will not be responsible for the ideas and opinions expressed in the published works. The full responsibility will be of the authors. 

Open Access Policy

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

Homo Virtualis permits and encourages authors to archive the [submitted article and/or the final author version and/or the final publication pdf] in institutional (e.g. the repository of the National Hellenic Research Foundation) or other appropriate subject repositories (e.g. SSOAR repository for social sciences),  in compliance with institutional and/or funder open access policies, [both prior to and] after publication in the [journal title]. Authors must provide [bibliographic details that credit publication in the journal, as well as] related funding details (when applicable).

Lists of institutional and other subject-based academic open access repositories can be found listed by country at the registry http://opendoar.org/countrylist.php  

If your institution does not possess a repository you may deposit a copy of your paper at no cost with www.zenodo.org, the repository supported for open access research in the EU by the European Commission, through the project OpenAIRE (www.openaire.eu).

Publication Ethics and Plagiarism

Homo Virtualis pursue the ethical standards present in the COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors and the International Standards for editors and authors published by the Committee on Publication Ethics

Homo Virtualis is committed to meeting high standards of ethical conduct at all stages of the publication process. In our ethical standards and procedures, we set out general expectations for authors, editors, reviewers, publishers and society partners. Homo Virtualis guarantees at all times the confidentiality of the evaluation process: the anonymity of the reviewers and the authors, the content evaluated, the rationale report issued by the reviewers and any other communication issued by the editorial and advisory boards.

Homo Virtualis declares its commitment for the respect and integrity of the works already published. For this reason, plagiarism is strictly prohibited in Homo Virtualis and texts that are identified as plagiarism or its content are fraudulent will be removed from the journal if they have already been published or will not be published. Homo Virtualis editors will act, in these cases, as quickly as possible. Manuscripts submitted to the journal are checked for originality using anti-plagiarism software (TurnItIn) after submission and before starting review.

By accepting the terms and agreements expressed by Homo Virtualis, authors must ensure that the article or review and the materials associated with them are original or do not infringe copyright. The authors also have to justify that, in case of a shared authorship, there was a full consensus of all the authors affected and that the article or book review has not been previously presented or published in other journals.

In the event that Homo Virtualis editors are made aware of any allegation of research misconduct, these allegations would be treated accordingly. Homo Virtualis editors will be willing to publish corrections, clarifications, retractions and apologies whenever needed. 

Homo Virtualis endorses the Elsevier’s policy for retracting or correcting articles when needed.

Publication Frequency

Homo Virtualis publishes one regular issue per year in June. Additional special issues may also be published. Articles are published in the journal's current issue on a rolling base as soon as they are accepted.