Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
IIUM Journal of Educational Studies (IJES)
Kulliyyah of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

The IIUM Journal of Educational Studies (IJES) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct for all parties involved in the publication process—namely authors, editors, peer reviewers, and the publisher. IJES adheres to the Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors and the Code of Conduct for Journal Publishers established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). These ethical principles apply to everyone involved at each stage of the publishing process, from initial contact to the completion of the review and publication cycle.

Authors are strongly encouraged to review and understand these ethical guidelines before submitting their manuscripts, as any breach may result in serious consequences. In the event of an ethical violation or suspected misconduct, the article in question will be removed from the journal’s website. The corresponding author (or authors) will be required to submit a written explanation within five working days. The IJES Editorial Board will then assess the response and determine the appropriate course of action.

1. Duties of Editors

Fair Evaluation
Editors assess manuscripts solely based on scholarly merit, including originality, academic rigor, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Author characteristics such as race, gender, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs do not influence editorial decisions.

Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are made independently and free from influence by external institutions, including governments or sponsors. The Editor-in-Chief has full authority over all editorial content and the timing of publication.

Confidentiality
All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any manuscript details to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, or editorial advisors.

Conflict of Interest and Disclosure
Editors will not use unpublished information from submitted manuscripts for personal research or advantage without the author’s explicit written permission. Any potential conflicts of interest will be disclosed and appropriately managed.

Publication Decisions
Each manuscript undergoes a double-blind peer-review process with at least two expert reviewers. Final decisions are based on the manuscript’s academic value, reviewer recommendations, and compliance with ethical and legal requirements.

2. Duties of Reviewers

Peer Review Contribution
Reviewers assist the editorial team by providing constructive and timely evaluations of submitted manuscripts. Their feedback plays a crucial role in maintaining the journal’s academic quality.

Confidentiality
Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential and should not be shared, discussed, or used for personal benefit. The double-blind review process ensures anonymity between authors and reviewers.

Objectivity and Constructive Feedback
Reviewers should evaluate manuscripts objectively, avoiding personal criticism. Comments should be clear, respectful, and aimed at helping authors improve their work. Evaluation must follow IJES’s review guidelines, focusing on theoretical soundness, research design, originality, and contribution to the field.

Review Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to complete reviews within three weeks of receiving the manuscript. If unable to do so, they should notify the editor promptly.

Ethical Vigilance
Reviewers must report any suspected ethical violations, such as plagiarism, redundant publication, or data fabrication, to the editor.

Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers should decline to review manuscripts where there are potential conflicts of interest resulting from personal, financial, or professional relationships.

3. Duties of Authors

Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure their submissions are original and properly cite all sources. Plagiarism in any form is unethical and unacceptable. Manuscripts must be accompanied by a cover letter affirming originality. IJES accepts submissions with a similarity index of less than 24%.

Authorship Criteria
Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research and writing process should be listed as authors. All co-authors must agree to the submission and approve the final version of the manuscript.

Reporting Standards
Authors must present their findings accurately and objectively, ensuring sufficient detail and references to allow for replication. False or deliberately misleading statements are unethical.

Data Access and Retention
Authors should be prepared to provide raw data related to their manuscript for editorial review and must retain data for a reasonable period after publication.

Multiple or Concurrent Submissions
Manuscripts must not be under consideration elsewhere or previously published. Submitting the same work to multiple journals simultaneously is unethical.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of others’ work is required. All sources must be appropriately cited, and permissions obtained where necessary.

Participation in Peer Review
Authors must engage with the peer-review process professionally and respond to reviewers’ comments promptly and constructively.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial or other significant conflicts that might influence the research or interpretation of results.

Corrections and Retractions
If significant errors are identified in a published work, authors are obliged to inform the editor and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions where necessary.

4. Duties of the Publisher

Ethical Oversight
The Kulliyyah of Education, IIUM, as the journal’s publisher, is committed to maintaining ethical oversight and supporting the editorial team in resolving cases of misconduct. In proven cases of unethical behavior (e.g., plagiarism or data falsification), appropriate measures will be taken, including retraction, correction, or clarification of the published article.

Access and Preservation
IJES ensures the digital preservation of published content and long-term accessibility through digital archiving systems and technological support.

Peer Review at IJES

The IIUM Journal of Educational Studies (IJES) maintains rigorous academic standards through a double-blind peer review process. All submissions are anonymously evaluated by at least two independent experts in the field, ensuring impartiality and focus on scholarly merit.

Key Features:
✅ Double-blind review: Authors and reviewers remain anonymous.
✅ Expert evaluation: Reviewers selected for subject expertise and experience.
✅ Transparent workflow: Typical process takes 6–10 weeks (from submission to decision).
✅ Constructive feedback: Detailed reviewer comments guide author revisions.
✅ Ethical compliance: Adheres to COPE guidelines for peer review.

Outcomes include: