Publication Ethics

1) Our Commitment

The Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning Studies (ELTIS) is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. ELTIS upholds high standards of publication ethics and takes reasonable steps to identify and prevent the publication of research misconduct. In handling ethical concerns and suspected misconduct, ELTIS refers to the principles and guidance promoted by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

2) Duties of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

  • Fair and unbiased decisions: Evaluating manuscripts on academic merit (originality, clarity, validity, and relevance) without discrimination.

  • Confidentiality: Protecting the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and related communications.

  • Editorial independence: Making decisions independently and transparently, free from commercial or personal influence.

  • Conflicts of interest (COI): Declaring and managing conflicts of interest; recusing themselves when a conflict exists.

  • Ethical oversight: Acting on suspected misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, duplicate submission, authorship disputes) and following appropriate procedures for investigation, correction, or retraction.

  • Corrections to the record: Issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary.

3) Duties of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Contribute to editorial decisions by providing objective, constructive, and timely reviews.

  • Maintain confidentiality and not share or use any manuscript content for personal advantage.

  • Declare conflicts of interest and decline reviews when a conflict exists or when they lack sufficient expertise.

  • Avoid unethical behavior such as using the reviewed work’s data/ideas without permission or attempting to identify authors in a blinded review process (where applicable).

  • Report concerns about potential misconduct (plagiarism, data issues, unethical research practices) to the editor.

4) Duties of Authors

Authors must ensure that:

  • Originality and proper citation: Submitted work is original and appropriately cites/acknowledges the work of others.

  • No duplicate submission/publication: Manuscripts are not under review elsewhere and have not been published previously in the same form (unless clearly justified and disclosed, such as an extended version with permission and proper citation).

  • Accuracy and integrity of data: Data are presented honestly; fabrication, falsification, and selective reporting are unacceptable. Authors should keep data/records and provide them when reasonably requested for verification.

  • Authorship and contributorship: Authorship reflects substantial scholarly contributions. All eligible contributors are listed as authors; others are acknowledged appropriately. Any changes to authorship after submission must be justified and approved by all authors.

  • Conflicts of interest and funding: All financial/non-financial conflicts and funding sources are disclosed.

  • Ethical approval (where applicable): Studies involving human participants (e.g., classroom-based research, interviews, surveys) must follow ethical standards, including institutional approval/clearance when required, informed consent, and protection of privacy/confidentiality. For vulnerable groups (e.g., minors), additional safeguards and permissions must be ensured.

  • Responsible use of AI tools (if used): Any use of AI tools that materially affects writing, analysis, or data handling should be transparently described according to the journal’s author guidelines. Authors remain fully responsible for the content, originality, and accuracy.

5) Ethical Misconduct (Unacceptable Practices)

ELTIS considers the following as misconduct (not limited to):

  • Plagiarism (including self-plagiarism beyond acceptable reuse)

  • Data fabrication or falsification

  • Redundant/duplicate publication or simultaneous submission

  • Citation manipulation

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

  • Peer-review manipulation

  • Unethical research involving human participants (e.g., lack of consent, privacy violations)

6) Handling Allegations and Complaints

ELTIS takes allegations of misconduct seriously. The journal may:

  • Conduct an initial assessment (e.g., similarity check, request for clarification/data).

  • Contact authors for explanation and supporting documentation.

  • Consult reviewers, editorial board members, or relevant institutions when necessary.

  • Apply actions consistent with publication-ethics best practice, including manuscript rejection, publication of corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern, and notifying relevant parties where appropriate.

7) Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

If significant errors or ethical issues are found after publication, ELTIS will take steps to correct the literature. Depending on severity and evidence, ELTIS may publish:

  • Correction (erratum/corrigendum) for honest errors that do not invalidate the work.

  • Retraction when findings are unreliable due to misconduct or major error, or when unethical research/publishing practices are confirmed.

  • Expression of Concern when an investigation is ongoing but serious concerns exist.

8) Confidentiality

All manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. Editorial communications, reviewer identities (where applicable), and decision materials are handled securely and used only for editorial purposes.

9) Competing Interests (Conflicts of Interest)

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any relationships or interests that could influence the work or its evaluation. Transparency in disclosures supports trust and credibility.

10) Appeals and Complaints

Authors may submit an appeal if they believe a decision was made based on a misunderstanding or procedural error. Appeals must be supported with clear evidence and reasoning. The editor’s decision after an appeal process is final.

11) Sanctions

When misconduct is confirmed, ELTIS may apply sanctions proportionate to the violation, such as rejection, retraction, temporary submission bans, or notification to relevant institutions.