Publication and Research Ethics

The Journal on Smart Learning Technologies (JoSLeT) is committed to publishing research that meets a high level of scholarship. An important aspect of this commitment is a respect for ethical publication and research practices. In keeping with the principles outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2010 & 2016), the work of the JoSLeT seeks to:

  • ensure the accuracy of scientific knowledge;
  • protect the rights and welfare of research participants, and
  • protect intellectual property rights.

Publication Ethics

The JoSLeT takes seriously issues of publication ethics. The following are core tenets in this regard:

  • Unique Submission: Manuscripts submitted to the JoSLeT should not be submitted to other journals simultaneously. Authors affirm during submission that the submitted manuscript is not under consideration for publication by any other publisher or organization. Failure to adhere to this can be grounds for rejection of the manuscript.
  • Submission Integrity: Manuscripts submitted to the JoSLeT should be unique and free of any types of plagiarism (including self-plagiarism). Authors affirm that their submission is free of instances of plagiarism. This includes citing direct and indirect sources, providing complete references for works cited in the manuscript, and that the submission is substantially edited from manuscripts or work drawn from the same or similar projects (such as, but not exclusive to other articles, briefs, graduate work, etc.).
  • Authorship: All authors should be listed in the initial submission of a manuscript. Full contact information for all authors should be submitted, including full name, affiliation, and ORCID. Authorship should be listed in order. Additionally, all authors should be aware of submissions to the JoSLeT and should be contributors to the manuscript or project in a manner suitable to warrant authorship. Authors will not be added to the submission after the peer review process.

If the status of a submitted manuscript becomes contradictory to the above tenets, the author(s) should contact the editor of the JoSLeT immediately.

Research Ethics

The JTL believes in respecting the dignity of research participants who may be involve in research contained in manuscripts submitted for publication. All research including human persons or animals should undergo research ethics review by an appropriate academic institution or governing body (e.g., a Canadian Research Ethics Board [REB], an American Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects in Research [IRB], an equivalent international ethics review structure, etc.).
The JoSLeT may inquire into the existence or status of ethical review of any submission if there is concern expressed by a member of the editorial board or reviewers. Additionally, as described in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS; CHIR, NSERC, & SSHRC, 2022), research contained in manuscripts submitted to the JoSLeT should consider three core principles:

  • Respect for Persons: Research participants should be able to act freely and with autonomy. This includes allowing for free, ongoing consent throughout the research process, as well as providing information to research participants so that they can make informed decisions about their participation in research studies.
  • Concern for Welfare: Researchers ought to consider the risks of their research, especially those which may affect research participants. There should be some way to minimize or mitigate risks if the researcher identifies any throughout the review process.
  • Justice: Researchers should treat research participants fairly and equitably. Justice should be considered throughout all aspects of the research process, including but not limited to: methodology, participant recruitment, application of treatments or research activities, and the dissemination of research results. Acknowledging the existence of and accounting for real or perceived power dynamics between those involved in the research and the researcher(s) is important, especially given the historical failures in this regard.

Researchers are encouraged to consider how research ethics review processes add to the quality of their manuscript. It is suggested that researchers articulate research ethics practices in their manuscript as feasible or applicable.

Acting on Concerns about Publication or Research Ethics

The JoSLeT treats incidents against publication and research ethics seriously. In no case will the JoSLeT consider manuscripts which do not adhere to the preceding Publication and Research Ethics requirements. This includes authors who may be members of the JoSLeT's Editorial or Advisory Boards, or those with whom the JoSLeT's Editorial Team may have existing relationships with. Below are listed a number of incidents and the corresponding actions the JoSLeT will take to address them:

    • A submitted manuscript contains plagiarized, self-plagiarized, uncited and unreferenced content: The manuscript will be rejected and will not undergo peer review.  Author(s) will be contacted.
    • A manuscript appears to have wanton disregard for research ethics: An inquiry into the status of research ethics review or clearance will be made to the researcher and/or the appropriate research ethics review board or body prior to peer review. The Editor may reject a manuscript if appropriate ethical review and consideration has not taken place.

    • An article published contains inaccurate or insensitive information: The Editor of the JoSLeT may issue a correction, clarification, and/or apology as deemed necessary.

    • An article published contains plagiarized content: The Editor of the JoSLeT may issue a correction, clarification, retraction, and/or apology as deemed necessary.

If you have questions or wish to seek clarification about our Publication and Research Ethics requirements, please feel welcome to contact us at jslt@unesa.ac.id. We thank you in advance for attending to Publication and Research Ethics as you draft your manuscript.

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