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/gp/products">Products</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12213908" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-3 item-3-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/open-science" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Open science - /gp/open-science">Open science</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12211732" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-4 item-4-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/authors" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Authors - /gp/authors">Authors</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12147358" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-5 item-5-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/editors" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Editors - /gp/editors">Editors</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12147374" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-6 item-6-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/reviewers" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Peer Reviewers - /gp/reviewers">Peer Reviewers</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c15128638" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-7 item-7-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/policies" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Policies - /gp/policies">Policies</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12211730" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-orange teaser teaser-navigation-full item-8 item-8-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/librarians" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Librarians - /gp/librarians">Librarians</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c19250658" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-green teaser teaser-navigation-full item-9 item-9-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/booksellers" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Booksellers - /gp/booksellers">Booksellers</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12147376" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-lilac teaser teaser-navigation-full item-10 item-10-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/societies" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Societies - /gp/societies">Societies</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12147382" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-lime teaser teaser-navigation-full item-11 item-11-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/partners" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Partners - /gp/partners">Partners</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12147378" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-neutral teaser teaser-navigation-full item-12 item-12-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/shop" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Shop - /gp/shop">Shop</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12279240" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-13 item-13-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/advancing-discovery" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - What we do - /gp/advancing-discovery">What we do</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12147360" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-neutral teaser teaser-navigation-full item-14 item-14-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/contact" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Contact - /gp/contact">Contact</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c27718490" class="teaser teaser-navigation-full item-15 item-15-18"><div> <div class="core"> <div class="richtext richtext-default"><p>-------</p></div> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c12270944" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-16 item-16-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/group" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Corporate Site ↗ - /gp/group">Corporate Site ↗</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c27718494" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-17 item-17-18"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/group/media" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Media Centre ↗ - /gp/group/media">Media Centre ↗</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header-level-3--listwrap" id=""><div id="c14237826" class="teaser-navigation-full--style-theme-blue teaser teaser-navigation-full item-18 item-18-18 last-item end"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/group/careers" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation-full - Careers ↗ - /gp/group/careers">Careers ↗</a> </div> </div></div></li></ul> </div> </div></div></li></ul> </div> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header--listwrap column" id=""><div id="c15179314" class="teaser teaser-navigation item-2 item-2-4"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/policies/about-our-policies" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation - About our policies - /gp/policies/about-our-policies">About our policies</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header--listwrap column" id=""><div id="c15128642" class="teaser teaser-navigation item-3 item-3-4"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/policies/publishing-policies" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation - Publishing policies - /gp/policies/publishing-policies">Publishing policies</a> </div> </div></div></li><li class="collection-navigation-header--listwrap column" id=""><div id="c15128644" class="teaser teaser-navigation item-4 item-4-4 last-item end"><div> <div class="core"> <a href="/gp/policies/editorial-policies" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-mainnav" data-track-component="teaser-navigation - Editorial policies - /gp/policies/editorial-policies">Editorial policies</a> </div> </div></div></li></ul> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div></div></div> </div></div><div id="c-row-2" class="collection collection-page-grid-row item-2 item-2-3"><div> <div class="core"><div id="cmain" class="has-no-image collection collection-page-grid-placement item-1 item-1-1 last-item end"><div> <div class="core"> <div style="data-background-image:url("https://media.springernature.com/full/springer-cms/rest/v1/content/15146276/data/v2");background-color:#0070a8;" id="c19731248" class="has-background-image has-background-color has-no-icon teaser teaser-stage-3 item-1 item-1-2 odd-item section even-item-custom"><div> <div class="row row-block-grid"><div class="column"><div class="core"> <div class="row"> <div class="column small-12 large-8"> <div data-mh="19731248" class="text-group"> <div class=" link-button"><a href="/gp/policies" class="link" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="teaser-stage-3 - Policies - /gp/policies">Policies</a></div> <div> <h1 class="headline stage-headline-style-default">Book Publishing Policies</h1> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div></div> </div></div><div id="c19701144" class="article article-default item-2 item-2-2 last-item end even-item section odd-item-custom"><div> <div class="row row-block-grid"><div class="column"><div class="core"> <div class=""> <h2 class="headline headline-h2">Springer Nature’s policies and guidelines for books and chapters ensure that we are in line with international standards for responsible research publications to advance knowledge.</h2> <div class="richtext richtext-default"><p>Science and research are important to confirm, change or advance knowledge. If you are publishing with Springer Nature you are responsible for the way your research is organized and conducted. It is therefore important that the work you submit has been carried out in line with international standards for responsible research publication.</p><p>Springer Nature is committed to upholding the integrity of the scientific record, and as a member follows the<strong> <a href="http://publicationethics.org/" target="_self" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines - http://publicationethics.org/">Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines</a> </strong>on how to deal with potential acts of misconduct and correcting the literature.</p><p class="intro--paragraph">Authors, editors and series editors should adhere to the minimum standards as set out in our individual Codes of Conduct, in addition to the policies below, before submitting your manuscript.</p><ul><li><a href="/gp/authors/book-authors-code-of-conduct" target="_self" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Code of Conduct for Book Authors - /gp/authors/book-authors-code-of-conduct"><span class="underline"><strong>Code of Conduct for Book Authors</strong></span></a></li><li><span class="underline"><strong><a href="/gp/editors/code-of-conduct-books-volumes" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Code of Conduct for Book Volume Editors - /gp/editors/code-of-conduct-books-volumes">Code of Conduct for Book Volume Editors</a></strong></span></li><li><a href="/gp/editors/code-of-conduct-books-series" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Code of Conduct for Book Series Editors - /gp/editors/code-of-conduct-books-series"><strong><span class="underline">Code of Conduct for Book Series Editors</span></strong></a></li></ul><p>Please note that common terminology used throughout this document are defined as follows:</p><p><strong>Author: </strong>Creator/writer of the content.</p><p><strong>Editor: </strong>After inviting authors to contribute, the editor coordinates and determines the final content.</p><p><strong>Policy:</strong> Official publisher’s principles that must be adhered to.</p><p><strong>Guidance:</strong> Recommendations for best practice.</p><p><strong>Guidelines: </strong>Instructions and how-to’s on implementation of policies and guidance.</p><p class="align--left">Please see our <span class="underline"><a href="/gp/open-science/policies/book-policies" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Open Access Policies for Books  - /gp/open-science/policies/book-policies"><strong>Open Access Policies for Books </strong></a></span>page for information on our open access policies for books and book chapters, including licensing, copyright, use of third-party material, self-archiving, compliance with open access funder mandates and retrospective open access.</p><h1 class="align--left">Policies and Guidance</h1><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Accessibility statement</h3><p class="flapContent">Springer Nature is committed to making our digital content as accessible as possible to everyone, including those with visual, hearing, cognitive and motor impairments. We're constantly working towards improving the accessibility of our digital content to ensure we provide equal access to all of our users.</p><p class="flapContent">As part of our commitment to accessibility, where possible, we try to ensure that our digital books content:</p><ul><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Is compatible with recent versions of popular screen readers</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Supports speech recognition software</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Is compatible with operating system screen magnifiers</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Retains the ability to adjust the font size</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Maintains colour/contrast ratios for text</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Allows keyboard accessible navigation</li></ul><p class="flapContent"><strong>Please note</strong> that different digital versions (EPUB, PDF) may not support all of these functionalities. </p><h4 class="flapContent">Contact us for feedback or questions</h4><p class="flapContent">If you would like to request accessibility-related assistance, report any accessibility problems, or request any information in accessible alternative formats, please contact us via our <strong><a href="https://support.springernature.com/en/support/solutions/articles/6000264557-accessibility-queries-form" target="_blank" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Accessibility Queries Form - https://support.springernature.com/en/support/solutions/articles/6000264557-accessibility-queries-form">Accessibility Queries Form</a></strong>.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">AI Policies and Guidance</h3><h4 class="flapContent">AI Authorship Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, do not currently satisfy our authorship criteria. Notably an attribution of authorship carries with it accountability for the work, which cannot be effectively applied to LLMs. We thus ask that the use of an LLM be properly documented in the Acknowledgements, or in the Introduction or Preface of the manuscript. </p><p class="flapContent">The use of an LLM (or other AI-tool) for “AI assisted copy editing” purposes does not need to be declared. In this context, we define the term "AI assisted copy editing" as AI-assisted improvements to human-generated texts for readability and style, and to ensure that the texts are free of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and tone. These AI-assisted improvements may include wording and formatting changes to the texts, but do not include generative editorial work and autonomous content creation. In all cases, there must be human accountability for the final version of the text and agreement from the authors that the edits reflect their original work. This reflects a similar stance taken on the AI generative figures policy, where it was acknowledged that there are cases where AI can be used to generate a figure without being concerned about copyright e.g. to generate a graph based on data provided by the author.</p><h4 class="flapContent">AI Authorship Guidance</h4><p class="flapContent">Authors should familiarise themselves with the current known risks of using AI models before using them in their manuscript. AI models have been known to plagiarise content and to create false content. As such, authors should carry out due diligence to ensure that any AI-generated content in their book is correct, appropriately referenced, and follow the standards as laid out in our Book Authors' Code of Conduct.</p><h4 class="flapContent">AI-generated Images Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">The fast-moving area of generative AI image creation has resulted in novel legal copyright and research integrity issues. As publishers, we strictly follow existing copyright law and best practices regarding publication ethics. While legal issues relating to AI-generated images and videos remain broadly unresolved, Springer Nature journals and books are unable to permit its use for publication.</p><p class="flapContent">Exceptions:</p><ul><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Images/art obtained from agencies that we have contractual relationships with that have created images in a legally acceptable manner.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Images and videos that are directly referenced in a piece that is specifically about  AI and such cases will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. </li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">The use of generative AI tools developed with specific sets of underlying scientific data that can be attributed, checked and verified for accuracy, provided that ethics, copyright and terms of use restrictions are adhered to. </li></ul><p class="flapContent">* All exceptions must be labelled clearly as generated by AI within the image field.</p><p class="flapContent">As we expect things to develop rapidly in this field in the near future, we will review this policy regularly and adapt if necessary.</p><p class="flapContent"><strong>Note: </strong>Examples of image types covered by this policy include: video and animation, including video stills; photography; illustration such as scientific diagrams, photo-illustrations and other collages, and editorial illustrations such as drawings, cartoons or other 2D or 3D visual representations. Not included in this policy are text-based and numerical display items, such as: tables, flow charts and other simple graphs that do not contain images. Please note that not all AI tools are generative. The use of non-generative machine learning tools to manipulate, combine or enhance existing images or figures should be disclosed in the relevant caption upon submission to allow a case-by-case review.</p><h4 class="flapContent">AI-generated Images Guidance</h4><p class="flapContent">For more information on the inclusion of third party content (i.e. any work that you have not created yourself and which you have reproduced or adapted from other sources) please see <strong><a href="/gp/partners/rights-permissions-third-party-distribution" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Rights, Permissions, Third Party Distribution - /gp/partners/rights-permissions-third-party-distribution">Rights, Permissions, Third Party Distribution</a></strong>.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Author’s Retained Rights Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">Please see <strong><a href="/gp/partners/rights-permissions-third-party-distribution" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Rights, Permissions, Third Party Distribution - /gp/partners/rights-permissions-third-party-distribution">Rights, Permissions, Third Party Distribution</a></strong> for information on how Springer Nature authors may reuse their work in third party publications.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Authorship Policy and Guidance</h3><p class="flapContent">These policies and guidelines describe authorship principles and good authorship practices to which prospective authors should adhere. </p><p class="flapContent">Authorship should be limited to those who contributed substantially to the scholarly work such as drafting and/or revising critically the intellectual content of the work or significant parts of it.</p><p class="flapContent">“Honorary authorship” is not permitted. Third parties who added something substantial to the work but do not qualify as authors should be mentioned in the acknowledgment section.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Author Identification Guidance</h4><p class="flapContent">Authors are strongly recommended to use their ORCID iD when submitting a manuscript for consideration, or to acquire an ORCID iD via the submission process.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Corresponding Authors Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">The corresponding author listed on the manuscript ensures that all appropriate co-authors are included on the manuscript, and that all co-authors have approved the final version of the chapter, section or entry or full manuscript (where appropriate) and have agreed to its submission for publication. All co-authors therefore share collective responsibility and accountability for the results. Please note that the naming of authors is not merely a question of research ethics; it is also a copyright issue.</p><p class="flapContent">Please include all author names (in case of contributions to an edited work, also the names of the book editors) and the addresses of the authors' institutes, and please ensure that the sequence of the author names is correct when the manuscript is submitted. Once the manuscript has been delivered to production, changes to authorship are no longer possible.</p><p class="flapContent">Any potential authorship disputes brought to the editors’ attention will be handled in line with <strong><a href="https://publicationethics.org/authorship" target="_self" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - COPE guidelines - https://publicationethics.org/authorship">COPE guidelines</a></strong>.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Affiliation Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">The primary affiliation for each author should be the institution where the majority of their work was done. Addresses will not be updated or changed after publication of the work.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Confidentiality Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">Authors should treat all communication with Springer Nature as confidential, which includes correspondence with direct representatives assigned to the work such as series editors and/or handling editors and reviewers’ reports, unless explicit consent has been received to share information.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Changes to Authorship Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">Authors are strongly advised to ensure that the authorship, the corresponding author and the order of authors is correct at submission. Changes of authorship by adding or deleting authors, and/or changes in corresponding author, and/or changes in the sequence of authors are not accepted after acceptance of a manuscript.</p><p class="flapContent">Please note that author names will be published as they appear on the accepted submission.</p><p class="flapContent">Please make sure that the names of all authors are present and correctly spelled, and that addresses and affiliations are current.</p><p class="flapContent">Adding and/or deleting authors at revision stage are generally not permitted, but in some cases it may be warranted. Reasons for these changes in authorship should be explained. Approval of the change during revision is at the discretion of Springer Nature.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Author Name Change Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">Authors who have changed their name for reasons such as gender transition, religious conversion and others may request for their name, pronouns and other relevant biographical information to be amended on works published prior to the change. Authors can choose for this correction to happen silently, without notification of the name change, or by a formal public Correction, which will be visible on both the pdf and html versions of the published manuscript.</p><p class="flapContent">Please see <a href="https://support.springernature.com/en/support/solutions/articles/6000262879-sncs-contact-form-inclusive-name-change-policy" target="_blank" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - SNCS Contact Form: Inclusive Name Change Policy - https://support.springernature.com/en/support/solutions/articles/6000262879-sncs-contact-form-inclusive-name-change-policy"><strong>SNCS Contact Form: Inclusive Name Change Policy</strong></a>.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Deceased or Incapacitated Authors Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">For cases in which a co-author dies or is incapacitated during the writing, submission, or peer-review process, and the co-authors feel it is appropriate to include the author, co-authors should obtain approval from a (legal) representative which could be a direct relative.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Authorship Issues or Disputes Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">In the case of an authorship dispute during peer review or after acceptance and publication, Springer Nature may not be in a position to investigate or adjudicate. Authors will be asked to resolve the dispute themselves. If they are unable, Springer Nature reserves the right to withdraw the manuscript from the editorial process or, in case of published content, raise the issue with the authors’ institution(s) and abide by its guidelines.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Citations Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">Research content and non-research content must cite appropriate and relevant literature in support of the claims made. Excessive self-citation, coordinated efforts among several authors to collectively self-cite, gratuitous and unnecessary citation of content published in the journal/book series to which the manuscript has been submitted, and any other form of citation manipulation are inappropriate. </p><p class="flapContent">Citation manipulation will result in the article/chapter/book being rejected, and may be reported to authors’ institutions.  Similarly, any attempts by peer-reviewers or editors to encourage such practices should be reported by authors to the publisher. </p><p class="flapContent">Authors should consider the following guidelines when preparing their manuscript: </p><ul><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Any statement in the manuscript that relies on external sources of information (i.e. not the authors' own new ideas or findings or general knowledge) should use a citation.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Authors should avoid citing derivations of original work. For example, they should cite the original work rather than a review article that cites an original work.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Authors should ensure that their citations are accurate (i.e. they should ensure the citation supports the statement made in their manuscript and should not misrepresent another work by citing it if it does not support the point the authors wish to make).</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Authors should not cite sources that they have not read.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Authors should not preferentially cite their own or their friends’, peers’, or institution’s publications.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Authors should avoid citing work solely from one country.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Authors should not use an excessive number of citations to support one point.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Ideally, authors should cite sources that have undergone peer review where possible.</li><li class="flapContent--paragraph">Authors should not cite advertisements or advertorial material.</li></ul><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Code Sharing Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">We strongly encourage that all newly-developed code used to generate results or support claims for primary research covered in the book/chapter (e.g. computer programming code, software programs, macros, etc.) are made publicly available at the time of publication. We encourage authors to deposit their supporting code in publicly available repositories.</p><p class="flapContent">Where applicable, a code availability statement should be provided, with information on what code is available and where it can be found. The statement should be provided in the book Preface or Introduction or in the chapter Acknowledgements.</p><p class="flapContent">We recognise it is not always possible to share research code publicly, for instance when it requires simultaneous sharing of data in which the privacy of research participants could be compromised, and in such instances code availability should still be stated in the manuscript along with any conditions for access.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Communicate with Respect Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">At Springer Nature we believe that only through relationships based upon mutual respect can we build trust and deliver quality publishing products and services to the communities we serve. Our staff are expected to behave professionally and respectfully at all times when engaging with authors, reviewers and readers. Likewise, we expect the same standards of behavior from the academic community and the public in their interactions with our staff. We do not tolerate aggressive behavior, or any form of harassment, bullying or discrimination directed against Springer Nature staff. We reserve the right to bring serious cases to the attention of employers or local authorities, if needed, and may refuse to interact, or do business, with individuals who repeatedly or seriously violate this policy.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Competing Interest Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">A competing interest or conflict of interest is a situation in which the author’s interpretation of data or presentation of information may be influenced by their personal or financial relationship with other people or organizations.</p><p class="flapContent">Springer Nature requires corresponding authors and their co-authors to disclose all relationships or interests that could potentially have direct or indirect influence or may lead to bias within the work. Disclosure of interests is not only a requirement from Abstracting and Indexing Services, but also provides a more complete and transparent process and helps readers form their own judgments of potential bias. This does not necessarily mean a financial relationship with an organization that sponsored the research or compensation received for consultancy work is inappropriate.</p><p class="flapContent">Please refer to <strong><a href="https://www.springernature.com/gp/authors/publish-a-book/manuscript-guidelines" target="_blank" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - manuscript guidelines - https://www.springernature.com/gp/authors/publish-a-book/manuscript-guidelines">manuscript guidelines</a></strong> for further information on how to disclose competing interest in the manuscript.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Data Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">At Springer Nature we advance discovery by publishing trusted research, supporting the development of new ideas and championing open science. We also aim to facilitate compliance with research funder and institution requirements to share data.</p><p class="flapContent">We strongly encourage that all datasets supporting the analysis and conclusions of the book/chapter are made publicly available at the time of publication. We encourage authors to deposit their supporting data in publicly available repositories. See our <strong><a href="/gp/authors/research-data-policy/generalist-repositories/12327166" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - repository guidance - /gp/authors/research-data-policy/generalist-repositories/12327166">repository guidance</a></strong> for more information. </p><p class="flapContent">Please note that, for a number of data types, submission to a community-endorsed, public repository may be mandatory. See our <strong><a href="/gp/authors/research-data-policy/repositories-mandates/19540364" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - list of mandated data types - /gp/authors/research-data-policy/repositories-mandates/19540364">list of mandated data types</a></strong>.</p><p class="flapContent">We recognise it is not always possible to share research data publicly, for instance when the privacy of research participants could be compromised, or when permission is not granted by the owners of the data.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) guidance and policies</h3><p class="flapContent">Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of strategic priorities at Springer Nature. We are committed to serving a diverse and global research community. Get the information and inspiration you need from our <strong><a href="https://www.springernature.com/gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors" target="_blank" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - DEI Hub - https://www.springernature.com/gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors">DEI Hub</a></strong> to make your published work inclusive, and representative.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Inclusive Language Guidance</h4><p class="flapContent">Springer Nature is committed to supporting clear and unbiased communication of research, consistent with our commitment to embedding inclusive principles in our editorial and publishing practices. Therefore we recommend that all authors review the Springer Nature Inclusive Language guide (available in our <strong><a href="https://www.springernature.com/gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hub - https://www.springernature.com/gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors">diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hub</a></strong>) when writing, to ensure accurate, culturally sensitive, and bias-free language.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Harmful Research Content Policy</h4><p class="flapContent">We believe that authors, editors, reviewers and publishers need to be mindful about research and its dissemination that may potentially harm population groups, as a result of discrimination in the assumptions or framing, methodology, interpretation or presentation of the research. We achieve this by presenting <strong><a href="https://media.springernature.com/full/springer-cms/rest/v1/content/20312376/data/harmful+research" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - principles and guidelines - https://media.springernature.com/full/springer-cms/rest/v1/content/20312376/data/harmful+research">principles and guidelines</a></strong> intended to assist those considering the interests of population groups and also ethical aspects of various forms of discrimination.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Ethical Approval and Informed Consent for Studies Involving Animals and/or Humans Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">Springer Nature requires authors to be transparent throughout the ethical approval process and research process. When including primary studies in a book/ chapter manuscript with human participants, authors must adhere to the ethical standards as laid down in the <a href="https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/" target="_blank" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - 1964 Declaration of Helsinki - https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/"><strong>1964 Declaration of Helsinki</strong></a> and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Authors should report that the study was reviewed and approved by an appropriate ethics review committee and must include the name of the ethics committee and the reference number where appropriate. This information is also a requirement for Abstracting and Indexing Services in certain disciplines.</p><p class="flapContent">In addition, for human participants, authors are required to include a statement that informed consent (to participate and / or to publish) was obtained from individual participants or parents/ guardians if the participant is minor or incapable. An example of a Human Research Participant Publication Approval Template is provided <a href="/gp/policies/editorial-policies/third-party-permissions" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - here - /gp/policies/editorial-policies/third-party-permissions"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p><p class="flapContent">If animals are studied, authors should make sure that the legal requirements or guidelines in the country and/or state or province for the care and use of animals have been followed or specify that no ethics approval was required. Please refer to the <strong><a href="https://www.springernature.com/gp/authors/publish-a-book/manuscript-guidelines" target="_blank" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - manuscript guidelines - https://www.springernature.com/gp/authors/publish-a-book/manuscript-guidelines">manuscript guidelines</a></strong> for further information on how to disclose ethical standards in the manuscript.</p><p class="flapContent">Springer Nature reserves the right to reject manuscripts that do not comply with these requirements. Authors will be held responsible for false statements or failure to fulfil these requirements.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Harmful Research Content Policy</h3><p class="flapContent">Springer Nature believes that publishers, authors, editors, and reviewers should consider how research and its dissemination may potentially harm population groups, as a result of discrimination in the assumptions or framing, methodology, interpretation or presentation of the research.</p><p class="flapContent">We have prepared principles and guidelines intended to assist those considering the interests of population groups and also ethical aspects of various forms of discrimination. A user can find our <strong><a href="https://media.springernature.com/full/springer-cms/rest/v1/content/20312376/data/v1" target="_blank" class="is-external" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - full presentation of these principles and guidelines - https://media.springernature.com/full/springer-cms/rest/v1/content/20312376/data/v1">full presentation of these principles and guidelines</a></strong>.</p><p class="flapContent">Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of strategic priorities at Springer Nature. We are committed to serving a diverse and global research community. Get the information and inspiration you need from our <strong><a href="/gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - DEI Hub - /gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors">DEI Hub</a></strong> to make your published work inclusive, and representative.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Inclusive Language when Describing Communities with Common Identifiers Guidance</h3><p class="flapContent">Springer Nature strongly encourages the use of inclusive language. Authors are requested to make themselves aware when describing particular communities of whether that community prefers to be referred to in terms of either people-first language or identity-first language and then use the preference of the community. Failure to do so can be highly offensive to the community and even stigmatizing.</p><p class="flapContent">Use of people-first language is defined as putting the person before the common identifier, e.g. person with diabetes. Identity-first language is defined as putting the common identifier before the person, e.g. Deaf person. It’s important to be aware of not using just the identifier, for example “'disabled people' is widely used, whereas 'the disabled' is not.</p><p class="flapContent">Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of strategic priorities at Springer Nature. We are committed to serving a diverse and global research community. Get the information and inspiration you need from our <strong><a href="/gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - DEI Hub - /gp/editors/resources-tools/dei-for-editors">DEI Hub</a></strong> to make your published work inclusive, and representative.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Open Access Policies</h3><p class="flapContent">Please see our <span class="underline"><a href="/gp/open-science/policies/book-policies" target="_blank" data-track="click" data-track-label="/gp/policies/book-publishing-policies" data-track-category="sn:content-page-main-content" data-track-component="richtext-link - Open Access Policies for Books  - /gp/open-science/policies/book-policies"><strong>Open Access Policies for Books </strong></a></span>page for information on our open access policies for books and book chapters, including licensing, copyright, use of third-party material, self-archiving, compliance with open access funder mandates and retrospective open access.</p><h3 class="flapHead hideContent">Palaeontological, Archaeological or Geological Materials Guidance</h3><p class="flapContent">Details of palaeontological specimens and geological samples should include clear provenance information to ensure full transparency of the research.</p><p class="flapContent">It is recognized that precise provenance information may not be available for older museum collections. 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Proposals and manuscript submissions to Springer Nature are assessed and reviewed by an inhouse editor who decides whether the submission is suitable to send out for further review to appropriate book series editors, editorial board and/or external peer reviewers, after which a decision is made whether the content is suitable for publication.</p><p class="flapContent">The reviewers’ reports will be taken into account in the decision making in manuscript acceptance.</p><h4 class="flapContent">Use of AI in peer review</h4><p class="flapContent">Peer reviewers play a vital role in scientific publishing. Their expert evaluations and recommendations guide editors in their decisions and ensure that published research is valid, rigorous, and credible. Editors select peer reviewers primarily because of their in-depth knowledge of the subject matter or methods of the work they are asked to evaluate. This expertise is invaluable and irreplaceable. 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Sex is usually categorized as female or male, although there is variation in the biological attributes that constitute sex.</p><p class="flapContent"><strong>Gender</strong> - refers to socially constructed and enacted roles and behaviours which occur in a historical and cultural context and vary across societies and over time. Gender is usually incorrectly conceptualized as a binary (man/woman or feminine/masculine) factor. In reality, there is a spectrum of gender identities and expressions defining how individuals identify themselves and express their gender </p><p class="flapContent"><strong>Gender identity and/or expression</strong> - A person’s concept of self as being male and masculine or female and feminine, or non-binary or ambivalent, based in part on physical characteristics, parental responses, and psychological and social pressures. It is the internal experience of a gender role. This includes Transgender Persons, as having a sense of persistent identification with, and expression of, gender-coded behaviours not typically associated with one’s anatomical sex at birth and with or without a desire to undergo sex reassignment procedures. </p><p class="flapContent">“Gender” refers to a set of cultural norms and expectations and not a “biologically defined variable”. Such norms are not fixed but evolve across time and space. As such, definitions will require frequent revisiting, as the exercise of defining gender (and sexuality) is under constant flux and evolution, as is the area of study in itself.</p><p class="flapContent">Authors should use the terms sex (biological attribute) and gender (shaped by social and cultural circumstances) carefully in order to avoid confusing both terms. Article titles and/or abstracts should indicate clearly what sex(es) the study applies to. Authors should also describe in the background, whether sex and/or gender differences may be expected; report how sex and/or gender were accounted for in the design of the study; provide disaggregated data by sex and/or gender, where appropriate; and discuss respective results. If a sex and/or gender analysis was not conducted, the rationale should be given in the Discussion. These guidelines apply to studies involving humans, vertebrate animals and cell lines.</p><p class="flapContent">Researchers are encouraged to promote equality between men and women in their academic research which by nature should be grounded on the recognition of merit, competences and creativity, regardless of any other personal attributes or orientation.</p><p class="flapContent">Sexist, misogynistic and/or anti-LGBTQ+ content is ethically objectionable. 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