SMR Workflow

Use this as the router for Sociological Methods & Research (SMR), the SAGE quantitative- and statistical-methodology flagship. SMR publishes papers that develop, evaluate, or critically assess methods; a pure application with no methodological contribution is out of scope. Reopen the live SAGE author instructions before any deadline-ready advice — review model, fees, and policy wording can change.

Route map

• Fit unclear, or the "method" is really just an application: use smr-topic-selection.
• The new estimator/design/diagnostic and what it fixes are fuzzy: use smr-method-contribution.
• Methods-literature placement weak or sibling-journal confusion: use smr-literature-positioning.
• Assumptions, identification, bias/consistency/efficiency not pinned down: use smr-derivation-and-properties.
• Monte Carlo design thin or competitors missing: use smr-simulation-studies.
• No real-data demonstration that the method matters substantively: use smr-empirical-illustration.
• Exhibits crowded, not self-contained, or hiding the simulation grid: use smr-tables-figures.
• Prose buries the contribution or violates ASA/abstract rules: use smr-writing-style.
• Code/package not released or not reproducible: use smr-software-and-reproducibility.
• Ready for ScholarOne: use smr-submission.
• Decision letter arrived: use smr-rebuttal.

Resource loading rule

Use the resource layer when routing:

• resources/worked-examples/01-introduction.md for the methods-paper opening arc (problem → why existing methods fail → the contribution → properties → simulation + illustration → software).
• resources/exemplars/library.md for benchmark style and web-verified SMR papers by method family.
• resources/official-source-map.md before any review-model, abstract-limit, citation-style, data-policy, or fee claim.

Never answer a volatile submission question from memory. If the source map marks a fact 待核实, say so and recheck the official SAGE page before advising a final submission.

Stop conditions

Pause the route and repair before moving forward if:

• the paper has no methodological contribution — it applies an existing method to a new dataset;
• the analytical properties (bias, consistency, efficiency, or the conditions for validity) are asserted but not derived or argued;
• the simulation does not include the competing methods an SMR reviewer would expect, or never shows where the new method breaks;
• there is no real-data empirical illustration showing the method changes a substantive conclusion;
• no usable software/code is released — SMR readers expect to run the method.

Stage gates keyed to the SMR pipeline

A later gate never compensates for an earlier one: polished exhibits cannot rescue a paper whose "method" is an application, and released code cannot rescue an underived property.

Worked routing pass

Illustrative vignette: an author arrives with a new estimator for peer effects in network panels, strong intuition, one simulation against OLS only, no real data, and code in a private folder.

• The fit gate passes (genuine estimator), but the theory gate fails first: the consistency claim rests on an unstated network-sparsity condition. Route to smr-derivation-and-properties.
• The evidence gate fails next: the Monte Carlo compares only to naive OLS, not to the standard network-autocorrelation and instrumental approaches a reviewer expects, and there is no real-data illustration. Route to smr-simulation-studies, then smr-empirical-illustration.
• The software gate is deferred but flagged: the package must be public and reproduce the grid before submission. Route to smr-software-and-reproducibility once results stabilize.
• Conformance items (ScholarOne, anonymization, availability statement) wait until the science gates close.

Ordering principle: secure properties before evidence, evidence before exhibits, and software before portal mechanics.

Venue facts that gate every route

Keep these SMR constants loaded while routing, reverifying volatile ones on live pages:

• A SAGE journal; the quantitative/statistical-methodology flagship in sociology — distinct from Sociological Methodology (ASA annual), Psychological Methods (APA), and Political Analysis.
• Submission via ScholarOne Manuscripts; double-anonymized review (separate title page).
• ASA in-text and reference style; DataCite for dataset references; abstract ≤150 words with no parenthetical citations (检索于 2026-06；以官网为准).
• A data-and-code availability statement is required, with code/materials in a trusted repository; a generative-AI disclosure in the back matter when AI tools were used.
• No submission fee; Sage Choice open access is a paid option (检索于 2026-06；以官网为准).

Output format

[Current stage] idea / theory / simulation / illustration / drafting / software / submission / review / R&R / accepted
[Next SMR skill] <skill name>
[Main bottleneck] <fit, properties, simulation, illustration, exhibits, software, conformance, or response>
[Anonymization risk] <any text that would deanonymize under double-anonymized review>
[Next action] <single concrete task>