Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the Verein für Socialpolitik is part of the association's statutes. Here you find the Code of Ethics of the Verein für Socialpolitik, which has been in force since December 2021.

VfS Code of Ethics

The ombudswoman is the contact person for the members. She enjoys the special trust of the membership with regard to her objectivity, independence, and fairness. She is elected for a two-year term by the Executive Board on the recommendation of the Managing Board. The ombudswoman treats all information provided to her in strict confidence, advises the person providing the information and mediates. After consultation with the person providing the information, he/she may inform the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee shall review the case confidentially and prepare a recommendation for action to the Managing Board.

Guiding principles

The guiding principles of the Code of Ethics of the Verein für Socialpolitik, as formulated in the preamble, are transparency, objectivity, independence and fairness. The code regulates the interaction of scientists with each other, for example through guidelines on the use and citation of their own and other authors' work, and also the relationship of scientists to their environment.

Self-commitment

Acceptance of the Code of Ethics is a condition of membership of the Verein für Socialpolitik.

Scope

The Code of Ethics is not a law, but an expression of social norms which apply to all members of the Verein für Socialpolitik. The editors and reviewers of the association's own journals, as well as the reviewers involved in the submission process of the association's conferences, are particularly committed to this Code. However, the Verein für Socialpolitik is also committed to ensuring that other journals from the German-speaking world conduct themselves in accordance with the Code.