Inclusive Language & Diversity Policy

Global Virology Reports (GVR) is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in scientific publishing. We believe that the language used in research should be respectful, precise, and free from bias, discrimination, or stigmatization. This policy provides guidance to authors on using inclusive terminology that reflects the dignity of all individuals and groups.

Guiding Principles
Authors must ensure their manuscripts use language that is:

·       Human-Centered: Prioritize the person over the condition (e.g., "people with diabetes" rather than "diabetics").

·       Neutral and Non-Judgmental: Avoid pejorative or stigmatizing terms, particularly in the context of health conditions.

·       Specific and Accurate: Use the most current, specific, and scientifically accurate descriptors for race, ethnicity, gender, and other human attributes.

·       Respectful of Self-Identification: Use the terms that individuals and communities use to describe themselves.

Specific Guidance by Domain

·       Gender and Sex:

-   Use precise terminology distinguishing between sex (biological attributes) and gender (socially constructed roles).

-   Use gender-neutral terms when appropriate.

-   Respect and correctly use stated gender identities.

·       Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality:

-   Capitalize racial and ethnic categories (e.g., Black, White, Indigenous).

-   Be specific and contextually relevant (e.g., "Japanese patients" is more precise than "Asian patients" if the study was conducted in Japan).

-   Justify the use of racial/ethnic categories in the analysis and avoid biological essentialism.

·       Disability:

-   Adopt person-first language as a general rule (e.g., "a person with a visual impairment," "children with autism").

-   Respect identity-first language when it is the preferred standard of a community (e.g., many Deaf and Autistic communities prefer identity-first language).

-   Avoid ableist language (e.g., "blind study" is acceptable; "suffers from" should be replaced with "has" or "is living with").

·       Stigmatized Health Conditions:

-   Avoid language that implies blame or moral judgment (e.g., use "substance use disorder" instead of "drug abuse," "non-adherence" instead of "non-compliance").

-   Do not define individuals by their disease (e.g., use "people who use drugs," not "drug users").

Enforcement
Manuscripts that contain non-inclusive or discriminatory language will be returned to the authors for revision during the initial screening or after peer review. The editorial team may provide specific guidance to help authors align their language with this policy.