Ethics policy

Ethics Policy

The International Journal of English Studies and Literature (IJESL) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in all aspects of the publication process. Our Ethics Policy is based on the guidelines and best practices set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and applies to authors, editors, reviewers, and all individuals involved in the editorial workflow.

1. Author Responsibilities

  • Originality: Authors must ensure their work is entirely original and properly cites all sources and influences.

  • Multiple Submissions: Manuscripts must not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously or published elsewhere.

  • Authorship Criteria: All individuals listed as authors should have made a significant contribution to the research. Others who contributed should be acknowledged appropriately.

  • Disclosure: Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that may influence their research.

  • Data Integrity: Authors are responsible for the accuracy and reliability of their data. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is strictly prohibited.

  • Corrections and Retractions: Authors must inform the editor promptly if they discover a significant error in their published work. Retractions or corrections will be issued as needed.

2. Editorial Responsibilities

  • Fair Review: Editors will evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit, without discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or institutional affiliation.

  • Confidentiality: All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. Editors and editorial staff will not disclose any information to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, or relevant editorial advisors.

  • Conflict of Interest: Editors must not handle manuscripts in which they have any conflict of interest and should delegate such submissions to another editor.

  • Publication Decisions: The final decision to accept or reject a manuscript lies with the Editor-in-Chief, based on the review process and journal policies.

3. Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Confidentiality: Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents and not shared or discussed with anyone outside the editorial process.

  • Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively and constructively, offering clear feedback without personal criticism.

  • Timeliness: Reviewers must complete their evaluations within the stipulated time or inform the editor if a delay is expected.

  • Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that the authors have not cited and report any suspected plagiarism or ethical concerns to the editor.

4. Publishing Ethics

  • Plagiarism: All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism. Any form of academic misconduct will result in immediate rejection or retraction.

  • Misconduct: In cases of ethical violations such as plagiarism, authorship disputes, or falsification of data, IJESL reserves the right to take appropriate actions, including notifying affiliated institutions.

  • Post-Publication Corrections: IJESL will issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when significant errors or ethical breaches are identified in published articles.

By submitting to the International Journal of English Studies and Literature, all authors and contributors agree to abide by this Ethics Policy and support a transparent and responsible publication environment.