Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

These guidelines follow the COPE Principles of Transparency and Best Practice Guidelines as well as the COPE Code of Conduct ( https://publicationethics.org).

The Journal of Islamic Finance (JIF) upholds the highest standards of ethical publishing. We take transparency and integrity seriously at every stage of the publishing process. The editorial team, reviewers, and publisher all play vital roles in ensuring ethical practices are consistently observed.

 

Editorial Policies

  • Scope and Focus
    JIF publishes peer-reviewed scholarly articles twice a year (June and December). The journal provides a platform for research in Islamic banking, finance, Takaful, Islamic capital markets, Islamic social finance, and related areas, especially those offering insights relevant to real-world applications and ethical dimensions of Islamic finance. Interdisciplinary contributions are also welcome.
  • Peer Review Process
    All submitted manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process. The editors coordinate the process and communicate reviewers’ feedback. Authors must respond to reviewer comments and submit revised versions accordingly.
  • Publication Frequency
    The Journal is published biannually, in June and December.
  • Open Access Policy
    JIF offers immediate open access to all its content, supporting the global exchange of knowledge in the field of Islamic finance.
  • Plagiarism Policy
    Manuscripts must be original. Any copyrighted material included beyond fair usage must be accompanied by written permission. The content must not violate intellectual property rights, privacy laws, or contain defamatory content. Authors are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions. Breach of copyright or ethical standards may lead to retraction and formal reporting.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Editors
    Editors shall act fairly and objectively, without bias toward an author's background, beliefs, or institutional affiliation. Manuscripts are evaluated on scholarly merit. Editors will handle all complaints and ethical concerns professionally and transparently. They are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the review and publication process.
  • Reviewers
    Reviewers must assess manuscripts promptly and objectively, maintain confidentiality, and report any potential conflict of interest. They should notify editors of suspected plagiarism or significant omissions.
  • Authors
    Authors must ensure that their submission is original, properly cited, and not under consideration elsewhere. They must acknowledge all sources of funding and clearly state any potential conflicts of interest. If the research involves human or animal subjects, relevant ethical approvals must be obtained, and the privacy of participants must be respected. Any error discovered post-publication should be reported promptly.

 

Ownership and Management

The Journal of Islamic Finance is owned and managed by the IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF) and published by IIUM Press.

 

Publishing Schedule

JIF is published twice a year, in March and September.

 

Publisher’s Role

IIUM Press supports the editorial team to maintain high standards of publication ethics and ensures that proper procedures are followed throughout the process.

 

Handling Unethical Behaviour

  • Identification
    Allegations of unethical conduct can be made at any stage. All reports will be treated confidentially. Complainants must provide sufficient detail and evidence.
  • Investigation
    The editor will evaluate the claim, consult the editorial board if needed, and gather evidence discreetly.
  • Minor Offences
    The editor may handle minor breaches internally, offering the author a chance to respond.
  • Serious Offences
    For serious misconduct, the editorial board may take stronger action based on severity. Possible outcomes include:
    • Written warning to the author or reviewer
    • Publication of a notice or editorial
    • Formal communication to the author’s institution or funder
    • Retraction of the article
    • Temporary or permanent ban from future submissions
    • Reporting to appropriate authorities or professional bodies

 

Ethical Statement

Manuscripts must be the original work of the author(s). Authors are responsible for securing permissions for any copyrighted content exceeding fair use limits. The journal is not responsible for verifying permissions. Any violations may lead to retraction and formal reporting.

 

Article Processing Charges (APC) and Revenue Transparency
The Journal of Islamic Finance (JIF) applies a minimal Article Processing Charge (APC) to support the editorial and production processes. The APC is USD 70 for international authors and RM 300 for Malaysian authors, payable only upon acceptance of the manuscript for publication. No fees are charged at the submission or review stages.

The journal is additionally supported by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) through the IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF). JIF does not generate revenue through subscriptions, advertising, or reprint sales.

All editorial decisions are made independently based on academic quality and relevance. The APC has no influence on the peer review or acceptance process, ensuring editorial integrity and scholarly transparency.

 

Advertising Policy
The Journal of Islamic Finance (JIF) currently does not accept or display advertisements. Editorial decisions are made independently and are never influenced by commercial interests. If advertising is introduced in the future, it will be clearly separated from editorial content, with decisions made solely by the journal’s management. No adverts will be linked to article content or reader behaviour.

 

Direct Marketing Policy
The Journal of Islamic Finance (JIF) engages in limited and targeted outreach to invite high-quality manuscript submissions. All promotional activities are conducted professionally and respectfully. Information shared about the journal is accurate, transparent, and not misleading. Marketing efforts do not interfere with the editorial process and are intended solely to inform relevant academic communities.

 

Copyright Notice

  • Consent to Publish
    Authors agree to publish their articles with IIUM Press.
  • Declaration
    Authors affirm that the manuscript is original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere. They agree to indemnify IIUM Press and the editorial team against any copyright claims.
  • Copyright Transfer
    Upon acceptance, authors transfer copyright to IIUM Press, granting non-exclusive rights for publication in all formats. In multi-authored papers, the corresponding author confirms that all co-authors have agreed to this transfer.
  • Open Access
    All published articles are freely accessible, downloadable, and shareable under the journal’s open access policy.