COPE

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

As-Safwa: Journal of Islamic Education Management and Multiculturalism

1. Introduction

As-Safwa: Journal of Islamic Education Management and Multiculturalism is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics, academic integrity, transparency, and responsible scholarly publishing. The journal follows ethical principles consistent with the recommendations and core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers to ensure that all stages of the publication process are conducted fairly, objectively, and professionally.

2. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to As-Safwa must comply with the following ethical requirements:

  1. Originality and Plagiarism: Manuscripts must be original works and must not contain plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, improper citation, or unauthorized use of another person's ideas, data, or text.

  2. Exclusive Submission: Manuscripts must not be under consideration by another journal or previously published in substantially the same form, except where prior dissemination has been explicitly permitted by the journal's policies.

  3. Authorship: All listed authors must have made significant scholarly contributions to the research and must approve the final version of the manuscript.

  4. Accuracy of Data: Authors must present research findings accurately and must not fabricate, falsify, manipulate, or selectively misrepresent data.

  5. Citation and Acknowledgment: Authors must appropriately cite all sources and acknowledge individuals, institutions, and funding agencies that contributed to the research.

  6. Research Ethics: Research involving human participants, personal data, or vulnerable communities must comply with applicable ethical standards and obtain ethics approval or informed consent where required.

  7. Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial, professional, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation.

  8. Corrections and Retractions: Authors are expected to cooperate with the editorial team in correcting significant errors or addressing ethical concerns identified after submission or publication.

3. Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors of As-Safwa are responsible for ensuring a fair, impartial, and transparent editorial process. Their responsibilities include:

  1. Evaluating manuscripts according to academic quality, originality, relevance, and the journal's scope, without discrimination based on the authors' identity, nationality, gender, religion, institutional affiliation, or personal beliefs.

  2. Maintaining the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and associated communications.

  3. Selecting qualified and independent reviewers with appropriate subject expertise.

  4. Managing potential conflicts of interest and ensuring that editorial decisions are not influenced by personal, commercial, or institutional considerations.

  5. Making editorial decisions based on scholarly merit, reviewer feedback, and the journal's publication standards.

  6. Investigating suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, or other forms of research misconduct.

  7. Publishing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when justified by the available evidence.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers play an essential role in maintaining the quality and integrity of the journal. Reviewers are expected to:

  1. Conduct reviews objectively, constructively, and within the agreed timeframe.

  2. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding manuscripts and review materials.

  3. Identify relevant published works that have not been cited by the authors.

  4. Report suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, data manipulation, or other ethical concerns to the editor.

  5. Disclose potential conflicts of interest and decline assignments when impartiality may be compromised.

  6. Refrain from using unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal research or professional advantage.

  7. Provide clear, evidence-based comments that help authors improve their work.

5. Plagiarism and Similarity Screening

As-Safwa does not tolerate plagiarism, fabricated data, falsified results, or other forms of academic misconduct. Submitted manuscripts may be screened using appropriate similarity-detection software and evaluated by the editorial team.

Similarity reports are assessed contextually rather than solely by a numerical score. Properly cited quotations, references, common terminology, and standard methodological expressions may contribute to similarity results.

If plagiarism or other misconduct is suspected, the journal may request clarification, return the manuscript for correction, reject the submission, or take further action consistent with the seriousness of the case and applicable publication ethics guidance.

6. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any circumstances that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their judgment or decisions.

Where a conflict of interest exists, the affected individual must disclose it promptly. The journal will take appropriate measures, including reassignment of reviewers or editors, to protect the fairness and credibility of the publication process.

7. Research Involving Human Participants

Research involving human participants, educational institutions, teachers, students, or other identifiable individuals must respect participants' rights, dignity, privacy, and welfare.

Authors must obtain informed consent where required and secure approval from an appropriate research ethics committee when applicable. Special care must be taken when research involves children, students in dependent relationships, sensitive personal information, or vulnerable populations.

Authors must ensure that identifying information is protected and that data are collected, stored, analyzed, and reported in accordance with applicable laws and ethical requirements.

8. Handling Allegations of Research Misconduct

When allegations of research or publication misconduct arise, As-Safwa will assess the concerns fairly, confidentially, and objectively.

The editorial team may request explanations or supporting documentation from the relevant parties and may consult independent experts or the appropriate institution when necessary.

Depending on the findings, possible actions include:

  • Requesting corrections or additional documentation.

  • Rejecting a manuscript under review.

  • Issuing a correction or an expression of concern.

  • Retracting a published article when justified.

  • Notifying the relevant institution or other appropriate authority when necessary.

All allegations will be assessed based on available evidence, with appropriate consideration for fairness and the rights of the parties involved.

9. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

As-Safwa recognizes its responsibility to maintain the accuracy and reliability of the scholarly record.

Corrections will be published when errors materially affect the interpretation or reliability of an article but do not invalidate its main findings. Retractions may be issued when serious problems, such as substantial plagiarism, unreliable findings, fabricated data, or major ethical violations, undermine the validity or integrity of a publication.

An expression of concern may be issued when credible questions arise but an investigation has not yet reached a conclusive outcome.

All such actions will be handled transparently and in accordance with applicable publication ethics guidance.

10. Artificial Intelligence and Authorship

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support activities such as language improvement, translation, or organization of research materials, provided that their use does not compromise research integrity.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors because they cannot assume responsibility or accountability for the work. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, citations, analysis, and conclusions of their manuscripts.

Authors must disclose material use of AI tools in accordance with the journal's applicable submission requirements. AI tools must not be used to fabricate research data, generate misleading evidence, create false references, or conceal plagiarism.

Editors and reviewers must also protect manuscript confidentiality when using digital or AI-assisted tools.

11. Complaints and Appeals

Authors may submit a reasoned appeal if they believe an editorial decision was based on a factual error, procedural irregularity, or an inappropriate interpretation of the manuscript.

Complaints concerning editorial conduct, peer review, authorship, or publication ethics should be submitted to the journal through its official communication channels. The editorial team will review complaints impartially and may seek independent advice where appropriate.

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee reversal of an editorial decision. Decisions will be based on the evidence, applicable policies, and academic standards of the journal.

12. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are based on the scholarly merit, originality, relevance, and ethical compliance of manuscripts. Such decisions must not be improperly influenced by commercial interests, sponsorship, institutional pressure, personal relationships, or other external considerations.

The journal seeks to preserve editorial independence and ensure that all manuscripts are treated fairly and consistently.

13. Publisher's Responsibilities

The publisher is responsible for supporting the journal's editorial independence, maintaining the integrity of the publication process, and providing appropriate support for the implementation of publication ethics policies.

The publisher and editorial team will cooperate in addressing credible allegations of misconduct, correcting the scholarly record, and improving editorial procedures when necessary.

14. Commitment to COPE Principles

As-Safwa: Journal of Islamic Education Management and Multiculturalism is committed to ethical scholarly publishing and uses the principles and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) as a reference for its publication ethics policies.

The journal aims to uphold honesty, accountability, fairness, transparency, confidentiality, and respect for all participants in the scholarly communication process.

Official reference: Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

As-Safwa: Journal of Islamic Education Management and Multiculturalism is committed to protecting academic integrity and promoting responsible scholarship in Islamic education management and multicultural education.