Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Innovative Journal of Educational Research and Insights (IJERI) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against any publication malpractices. The following ethical standards apply to all parties involved in the act of publishing—authors, editors, peer reviewers, and the publisher. Adherence to these standards ensures the integrity of the research and its dissemination.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

  • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their works are entirely original. If the authors have used the work or words of others, they must appropriately cite or quote them. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

  • Data Accuracy and Integrity: Authors must ensure that their data is accurate and not manipulated. Fabrication or falsification of data is considered unethical.

  • Multiple or Redundant Publication: Authors should not submit manuscripts that describe essentially the same research to more than one journal. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously constitutes unethical publishing behavior.

  • Acknowledgment of Sources: Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work.

  • Authorship of the Paper: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors. Others who have participated in certain substantive aspects of the research project should be acknowledged.

  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.

  • Reporting Standards: Authors should present an accurate account of the research and objective discussion of its significance. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

  • Fair Play: The editor must ensure that each manuscript is evaluated solely on its academic merit, without regard to the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.

  • Confidentiality: The editor and editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and the publisher.

  • Publication Decisions: The editor is responsible for deciding which of the submitted articles should be published. The editor may consult with reviewers in making this decision.

  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Editors should not use unpublished information in their own research without the express written consent of the author. Editors must recuse themselves from processing manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat the manuscript received for review as a confidential document. They must not disclose or discuss the manuscript with others except as authorized by the editor.

  • Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments.

  • Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Any statement that an observation, derivation, or argument has been previously reported should be accompanied by the relevant citation.

  • Promptness: Reviewers who feel unqualified to review the manuscript or know that a prompt review will not be possible should notify the editor and excuse themselves from the review process.

  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers.

4. Responsibilities of the Publisher

  • Editorial Independence: The publisher ensures the independence of editorial decisions, without interference from business needs or commercial interests.

  • Handling of Unethical Publishing Behavior: The publisher, in collaboration with the editors, will take all necessary actions to clarify and address unethical publishing behavior such as plagiarism, citation manipulation, or data falsification, even after publication.

  • Corrections and Retractions: When necessary, the publisher will work with the editor to retract or correct articles that contain significant errors or ethical issues. Corrections will be made visible and clearly distinguishable.

5. Addressing Ethical Issues

  • Investigating Misconduct: In cases of suspected misconduct, the journal will follow the appropriate procedures to investigate the matter thoroughly and impartially. This includes communication with the relevant parties and taking corrective actions where necessary.

  • Consequences of Misconduct: Proven instances of unethical behavior, such as plagiarism or falsification, may result in rejection of the manuscript, retraction of the published article, and/or barring the author from future submissions to the journal.