Publication Ethics

Introduction

The Qualitative Research Journal for Social Studies (QRJSS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical research and publication. This policy outlines the responsibilities of researchers, editors, and reviewers to ensure the integrity and quality of the research published in the journal.

Responsibilities of Researchers

  • Research Ethics:

    • Researchers must adhere to all relevant ethical codes and guidelines when conducting research, including obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting participant confidentiality, and ensuring responsible data collection and analysis.
    • Research involving human participants must have received prior approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee. Authors must state explicitly if such approval was obtained and provide the committee's name and location.
    • Authors must be transparent about research limitations and potential biases, acknowledging the influence of their own positionality and reflexively engaging with their role in the research process.

  • Research Integrity:

    • Researchers must conduct their research with honesty and integrity, avoiding fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data.
    • All data and information must be accurately reported and properly cited. Plagiarism and self-plagiarism are strictly prohibited.
    • Authors must be transparent about funding sources and any potential conflicts of interest.

  • Authorship:

    • Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or analysis of the research. Only those who meet the authorship criteria should be listed as authors.
    • All authors must agree to the content of the manuscript and take responsibility for its publication.

  • Manuscript Preparation and Submission:

    • Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with the QRJSS author guidelines and submitted electronically through the journal's online submission system.
    • Authors must disclose any prior publications or submissions related to the same research.

Responsibilities of Editors

  • Editorial Decisions:

    • Editors will make publishing decisions based solely on the scientific merit and originality of the submitted manuscripts, not on the authors' nationality, institutional affiliation, or personal relationships.
    • Editors will ensure a fair and unbiased peer-review process, using qualified reviewers with expertise relevant to the submitted manuscript.
    • Editors will maintain the anonymity of reviewers and authors throughout the review process.

  • Publication Ethics:

    • Editors will investigate any allegations of research misconduct or publication ethics violations and take appropriate action, including rejecting manuscripts, retracting published articles, or reporting the case to relevant authorities.
    • Editors will follow the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines for handling cases of misconduct.

  • Conflict of Interest:

    • Editors will declare any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from making decisions on manuscripts where a conflict exists.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Expertise and Objectivity:

    • Reviewers should only agree to review manuscripts for which they have the necessary expertise and will conduct their review with objectivity and fairness.
    • Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the review process and avoid any unauthorized use of the submitted manuscript or its ideas.

  • Review Content:

    • Reviews should provide constructive feedback on the scientific merit, originality, and ethical considerations of the submitted manuscript.
    • Reviewers should identify any potential ethical concerns or plagiarism and bring them to the attention of the editor.