Ethical Principles and Publication Policy

Qualitative Inquiry in Education: Theory and Practice (QIETP) are based on the Code of Conduct guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), available at www.publicationethics.org.  Qualitative Inquiry in Education: Theory and Practice (QIETP) follows the COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors, and Core Practices, and aims to adhere to its Best Practice Guidelines. As a strong Qualitative Inquiry in Education: Theory and Practice (QIETP) scientific community (i.e., the publisher, editors, authors, and reviewers) we all are obliged to comply with these ethical practices.

The Roles and Responsibilities of Editor-In-Chief:

Ensure accuracy and quality: Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and quality of their manuscript. They should carefully proofread and edit their work, and ensure that all sources are properly cited and attributed.

Declare conflicts of interest: Authors are responsible for declaring any conflicts of interest that may affect the validity or credibility of their research. This could include financial interests, personal relationships, or other factors that could influence their work.

Respond to reviewers and editors: Authors are responsible for responding to feedback from reviewers and editors in a timely and professional manner. They should carefully consider and respond to all feedback, and make necessary revisions to their manuscript.

Promote their work: Authors are responsible for promoting their work and disseminating their findings to the wider academic community. This could include presenting their work at conferences, sharing their findings on social media, and engaging with other researchers in their field.

Maintain ethical standards: Authors are responsible for maintaining high ethical standards in their work, including avoiding plagiarism, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of research participants, and adhering to relevant ethical guidelines.
Conduct and submit original research: Authors are responsible for conducting research and producing original work that contributes to the field. They should ensure that their research is conducted in an ethical and professional manner, and adheres to relevant ethical and legal guidelines.

Follow submission guidelines: Authors should follow the submission guidelines provided by the journal, including formatting, style, and length requirements. They should also ensure that their manuscript adheres to the journal's policies and ethical standards.

Introduction

  • Does the introduction clearly state the research problem or objective?
  • Is the context and background of the study described clearly?
  • Does the literature review provide a comprehensive overview of the relevant literature and research gaps?
  • Does the introduction clearly state the research question or hypothesis?

Methods

  • Is the research design and methods used described clearly?
  • Is the study population or sample described clearly and accurately?
  • Are the data collection and analysis methods described in detail?
  • Are statistical methods or software used described and appropriate?

Results

  • Are the study findings presented clearly and concisely?
  • Are the tables, figures, or other visual aids easy to understand and support the findings?
  • Are statistical analyses and any other relevant data presented clearly?

Discussion

  • Are the study findings interpreted clearly and accurately?
  • Are the implications of the findings for the research question or hypothesis discussed thoroughly?
  • Is the comparison of the findings to the relevant literature clear and comprehensive?
  • Are the limitations of the study discussed thoroughly and suggestions for future research provided?

Conclusion

  • Is the summary of the main findings and their implications clear and accurate?
  • Is the contribution of the study to the field stated clearly and accurately?
  • Are any practical recommendations for practitioners or policymakers provided?

Writing quality

  • Is the writing style clear and concise?
  • Is the manuscript free of technical errors and typos?
  • Is the manuscript free of jargon and other technical terms that may be difficult for a general audience to understand?

Overall evaluation

  • Based on the quality and relevance of the manuscript, would you recommend acceptance, rejection, or revision?
  • Are there any major concerns or issues that the author should address?

The Roles and Responsibilities of Authors

Respond to editor inquiries: Reviewers are responsible for responding to inquiries from the editor, providing additional feedback or clarifications as needed.

Evaluate manuscripts: Reviewers are responsible for evaluating manuscripts submitted to the journal. They provide feedback on the quality and relevance of the research, and recommend whether the manuscript should be accepted, revised, or rejected.

Maintain confidentiality: Reviewers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the review process. They should not share the manuscript or any information related to the review process with anyone else without permission from the editor.

Follow guidelines: Reviewers are responsible for following the journal's guidelines and criteria for evaluating manuscripts. They should also be familiar with the ethical standards and guidelines for research and publication in their field.

Meet deadlines: Reviewers are responsible for completing their review within the specified time frame, usually within 2-3 weeks. If they are unable to complete the review within this time frame, they should inform the editor as soon as possible.

Provide constructive feedback: Reviewers are responsible for providing constructive feedback to authors. They should provide specific comments and suggestions for improving the quality and relevance of the manuscript.

Declare conflicts of interest: Reviewers are responsible for declaring any conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to provide an unbiased review. This could include personal relationships, financial interests, or other factors that could influence their judgment.

The Roles and Responsibilities of Reviewers

Review and select manuscripts: Editors are responsible for selecting manuscripts for publication in the journal. They work with a team of reviewers to evaluate the quality and relevance of each submission, and make the final decision on whether to accept or reject the manuscript.

Provide feedback to authors: Editors provide feedback to authors on their manuscripts, suggesting revisions or clarifications as needed. They also provide guidance on the journal's style and formatting requirements.

Oversee the peer review process: Editors are responsible for overseeing the peer review process, ensuring that it is fair, rigorous, and conducted in a timely manner. They work with reviewers to ensure that the review process maintains confidentiality and is free from any conflicts of interest.

Maintain editorial standards: Editors are responsible for maintaining high editorial standards for the journal, including accuracy, relevance, and integrity. They ensure that the journal adheres to best practices in publishing, including ethical standards and guidelines for authorship and attribution.

Collaborate with other editors: Editors collaborate with other editors and members of the editorial board to develop and implement editorial policies, strategies, and goals for the journal. They also work with publishers and other stakeholders to promote the journal and increase its visibility.

Stay current with developments in the field: Editors are responsible for staying current with developments in their field, including new research findings and emerging trends. They also identify gaps in the literature and areas where further research is needed.

Respond to author inquiries: Editors are responsible for responding to inquiries from authors, providing feedback on submissions, and addressing any concerns or complaints related to the journal.

Manage and administer the journal: Editors are responsible for managing and administering the journal, including budgeting, staffing, and day-to-day operations.

Overall responsibility: The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) has overall responsibility for the journal and its content. They are responsible for ensuring that the journal maintains high standards of quality, relevance, and integrity.

Editorial board: The EIC selects and manages the editorial board, which consists of experts in the field who help review and select manuscripts for publication.

Manuscript review: The EIC oversees the manuscript review process, ensuring that submissions are properly reviewed and processed in a timely and fair manner. They also ensure that the review process maintains confidentiality and is free from any conflicts of interest.

Publication decisions: The EIC makes the final decision on whether a manuscript will be accepted or rejected for publication, based on the recommendations of the editorial board and the quality and relevance of the manuscript.

Journal policies: The EIC is responsible for establishing and maintaining journal policies and procedures, including those related to editorial standards, ethical practices, and conflicts of interest.

Journal promotion: The EIC is responsible for promoting the journal to potential authors, readers, and subscribers. They also ensure that the journal stays up-to-date with new developments in the field, and that it remains relevant and competitive.

Responding to authors: The EIC is responsible for responding to inquiries from authors, providing feedback on submissions, and addressing any concerns or complaints related to the journal.

Management and administration: The EIC oversees the management and administration of the journal, including budgeting, staffing, and day-to-day operations. The Roles and Responsibilities of Editors