Publication Ethics, Malpractice, And AI Statement

PUBLICATION ETHICS, MALPRACTICE, AND AI GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Journal of Science Learning (JSL)

1. Ethical Principles and Editorial Commitment

Journal of Science Learning (JSL) is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the scholarly record and ensuring that all published works meet the highest standards of academic quality and ethical responsibility. The journal adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices and aligns its editorial policies with the Elsevier Publication Ethics Guidelines and the ethical expectations of the Scopus Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB). These principles guide all stages of the publication process and apply equally to authors, editors, reviewers, editorial board members, and the publisher.

The publication of scholarly work is a collaborative endeavor that depends on trust, transparency, and accountability. Peer review plays a central role in validating research quality and ensuring that published articles contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science education research. JSL is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and independent editorial process free from discrimination, bias, or undue influence.

2. Editorial Independence and Decision-Making

Editorial decisions at Journal of Science Learning are based solely on the scholarly merit of submitted manuscripts, including originality, methodological rigor, clarity of presentation, relevance to the journal’s scope, and contribution to the field. Decisions are not influenced by authors’ institutional affiliations, nationality, gender, political views, commercial considerations, or funding sources.

Editors exercise full editorial independence and are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable legal and ethical standards, including those related to plagiarism, copyright, defamation, and data protection. When necessary, editors may consult external reviewers, associate editors, or ethical guidelines provided by COPE to support fair and informed decision-making.

3. Editorial Conflicts of Interest and Transparency

To ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest, Journal of Science Learning applies strict procedures for handling manuscripts submitted by members of the editorial team. Manuscripts authored or co-authored by one of the Editors-in-Chief are managed exclusively by the other Editor-in-Chief through an independent and confidential peer review process. The editor involved as an author has no access to reviewer identities, reviewer reports, or editorial decisions related to the manuscript.

Similar procedures apply to submissions from Associate Editors or Editorial Board members. All such manuscripts undergo the same rigorous peer review and editorial standards as any other submission. Editors are required to disclose any personal, professional, or financial interests that could be perceived as influencing editorial judgment and must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where such conflicts exist.

4. Peer Review Process and Reviewer Ethics

Journal of Science Learning employs a rigorous peer review process designed to ensure objectivity, confidentiality, and academic rigor. Research articles are typically evaluated by at least two independent external reviewers with expertise relevant to the manuscript’s subject area. Editors are responsible for selecting qualified reviewers, monitoring review quality, and preventing fraudulent or manipulated peer review practices.

Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts objectively, provide constructive feedback, and maintain strict confidentiality regarding the content under review. Manuscripts and associated materials must not be shared, discussed with unauthorized parties, or used for personal advantage. Reviewers are required to disclose any competing interests and decline review invitations when such interests may compromise impartiality.

Reviewers play an important role in identifying ethical concerns, including plagiarism, redundant publication, data inconsistencies, inappropriate image manipulation, citation manipulation, or unethical use of artificial intelligence. The use of AI tools by reviewers to analyze manuscripts or generate peer review reports is not permitted, as this may compromise confidentiality and intellectual property.

5. Author Responsibilities and Research Integrity

Authors submitting manuscripts to Journal of Science Learning are expected to uphold the highest standards of research integrity and ethical conduct. Submitted manuscripts must represent original work that has not been previously published and is not under consideration elsewhere. All forms of plagiarism, including direct copying, improper paraphrasing, and self-plagiarism, are considered unethical and unacceptable.

Authors must present accurate and honest accounts of their research, ensuring that data are not fabricated, falsified, or selectively reported. Sufficient methodological detail must be provided to allow replication, where appropriate. Authors may be requested to provide access to underlying data for editorial review and are encouraged to retain research data for a reasonable period after publication.

Research involving human participants or animals must comply with relevant ethical standards and regulations. Authors are responsible for obtaining appropriate ethical approval and informed consent and for clearly stating such compliance within the manuscript.

6. Authorship, Contributions, and Acknowledgment

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial scholarly contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all listed authors meet authorship criteria and that no qualified contributor has been omitted.

Any changes to authorship after submission are subject to editorial approval and require written consent from all authors. Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be appropriately acknowledged. All authors share collective responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the published work.

7. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Funding

Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be perceived as influencing the research. Sources of funding must be clearly identified, and the role of funders in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and publication decisions must be transparently stated. Failure to disclose relevant conflicts of interest may result in rejection, correction, or retraction.

8. Data, Image Integrity, and Citation Ethics

Journal of Science Learning takes data and image integrity seriously. Authors must ensure that figures and images accurately represent original data. While minor adjustments for clarity may be acceptable, manipulation that alters scientific meaning is unethical. Editors may request original data or images for verification.

Authors are expected to cite relevant literature accurately and responsibly. Citation manipulation, including excessive self-citation or coercive citation practices, is considered unethical and may lead to editorial action.

9. Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The journal recognizes the growing role of artificial intelligence in scholarly communication and establishes clear ethical boundaries for its use. Authors may use AI tools for limited supportive purposes, such as language editing or improving readability. AI tools must not be used to generate research data, scientific interpretations, images, conclusions, or references, nor to fabricate content.

Artificial intelligence systems cannot be listed as authors, as they cannot assume responsibility for the work. Any use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content.

Editors and reviewers are prohibited from using AI tools in ways that compromise manuscript confidentiality or intellectual property, including uploading unpublished manuscripts to AI systems that store or reuse content.

10. Copyright, Licensing, and Access

Authors publishing in Journal of Science Learning retain copyright of their work. All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license, which permits sharing and adaptation with appropriate attribution and under the same licensing terms.

11. Allegations of Misconduct and Corrective Actions

All allegations of publication misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, unethical use of artificial intelligence, authorship disputes, and editorial or reviewer misconduct, are handled seriously and confidentially. Journal of Science Learning follows COPE flowcharts and procedures in investigating such cases and may issue corrections, retractions, expressions of concern, or notify relevant institutions when appropriate.

12. Policy Review and Updates

This publication ethics, malpractice, and AI governance statement is reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with evolving international standards, developments in artificial intelligence, and best practices in scholarly publishing. Submission to the journal or participation in its editorial and peer review processes constitutes agreement with the principles outlined in this policy.