Publication Ethics
Mastery: Master of English Language Journal is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published biannually in March and October by the Center for Research and Community Service (PPPM), STIT Miftahul Midad Lumajang. The journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity in all stages of the publication process.
This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher. The journal adheres to internationally recognized principles of ethical publishing and strives to prevent all forms of publication malpractice, including plagiarism, data falsification, and unethical authorship practices.
1. Ethical Principles
The publication of an article in this journal is an essential component in the development of a credible and respected body of knowledge in the field of English language studies. Therefore, all parties involved are expected to uphold ethical values such as honesty, transparency, objectivity, accountability, and respect for intellectual contributions.
The journal strictly prohibits unethical practices, including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, and undisclosed conflicts of interest. Any suspected violation will be handled seriously in accordance with established ethical procedures. The journal also promotes academic fairness, ensuring that all submissions are evaluated solely on their scholarly merit without discrimination.
2. Duties of Authors
Authors play a central role in ensuring the integrity of scholarly publications. By submitting a manuscript to this journal, authors agree to comply with the following ethical standards:
- Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original. Proper citation and acknowledgment of all sources, including ideas, data, and words from other works, must be clearly provided. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is considered unethical and unacceptable. - Data Integrity and Reporting Standards
Authors are responsible for presenting accurate, valid, and reliable data. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is strictly prohibited. Sufficient detail must be provided to allow replication of the study by other researchers. - Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Submitting previously published work or substantially similar work without proper disclosure is considered unethical. - Authorship and Contribution
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately. - Acknowledgement of Sources
Authors must properly acknowledge all sources of information and contributions from others that have influenced the work. - Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the results or interpretation of their work. - Correction of Errors
If authors discover significant errors or inaccuracies in their published work, they are obliged to promptly inform the editor and cooperate in correcting or retracting the article.
3. Duties of Editors
Editors are responsible for managing the editorial process and ensuring the quality and integrity of published content. Their responsibilities include:
- Publication Decisions
Editors evaluate manuscripts based on their scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Decisions are made independently and free from external influence. - Fair and Impartial Evaluation
Editors must assess manuscripts without discrimination based on personal characteristics such as race, gender, religion, nationality, or political beliefs. - Confidentiality
Editors must maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and must not disclose any information to unauthorized parties. - Conflict of Interest Management
Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest. - Ethical Oversight and Misconduct Handling
Editors are responsible for identifying and addressing ethical issues, including plagiarism, duplicate submission, and other forms of misconduct. Appropriate actions will be taken when ethical concerns arise.
4. Duties of Reviewers
Reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the quality of publications through objective and constructive evaluation. Reviewers are expected to:
- Maintain Confidentiality
Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed with others without authorization. - Provide Objective and Constructive Feedback
Reviews should be conducted objectively, with clear arguments and constructive suggestions aimed at improving the quality of the manuscript. - Identify Relevant Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant work that has not been cited and bring possible overlaps or similarities with other works to the editor’s attention. - Timeliness
Reviewers should complete their reviews within the agreed timeframe. If unable to do so, they must inform the editor promptly. - Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.
5. Peer Review Process
This journal employs a rigorous double-blind peer review system, ensuring that both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process. Each submitted manuscript undergoes an initial editorial screening to assess its suitability with the journal’s focus and scope.
Manuscripts that pass this stage are sent to at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on originality, methodological rigor, clarity of presentation, and contribution to the field.
In cases of conflicting reviewer recommendations, an additional reviewer may be assigned. The final decision is made by the editorial board based on the reviewers’ reports and editorial judgment.
6. Publication Decisions
The editor has full responsibility and authority to make the final decision regarding the acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts. Decisions are based on the manuscript’s academic quality, originality, relevance, and clarity.
The editorial board ensures that all decisions are consistent, transparent, and aligned with the journal’s standards. The decision-making process is conducted fairly and independently, without influence from external parties.
7. Plagiarism Policy
All manuscripts submitted to the journal are screened using plagiarism detection software to ensure originality. The journal applies a strict anti-plagiarism policy and does not tolerate any form of plagiarism.
Manuscripts found to contain significant levels of similarity or plagiarism will be rejected immediately. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work is free from plagiarism prior to submission.
8. Retraction and Correction Policy
The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Articles may be retracted if they are found to contain serious errors, plagiarism, or unethical research practices.
Corrections or errata will be issued when necessary to address minor errors that do not invalidate the overall findings. All retractions and corrections will be clearly indicated and transparently communicated to readers.
9. Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain the copyright of their work while granting the journal the right to publish and distribute the article. The journal supports open access principles, allowing readers to freely access and use published content.
Articles are distributed under an appropriate open-access license to ensure wide dissemination while maintaining proper attribution to the authors.
10. Open Access Policy
This journal provides immediate and unrestricted open access to all published content. The journal believes that free access to research promotes the global exchange of knowledge and supports the advancement of science and education.
Users are permitted to read, download, copy, distribute, and use the articles for lawful purposes, provided proper attribution is given.
11. Ethical Oversight
Research involving human participants must comply with ethical standards and, where applicable, obtain approval from an appropriate ethics committee. Authors must ensure that participants’ rights, privacy, and confidentiality are protected.
The journal reserves the right to request supporting documents related to ethical approval when necessary.
12. Publisher’s Responsibilities
The publisher, PPPM STIT Miftahul Midad Lumajang, is committed to supporting the editorial team in maintaining high ethical standards. The publisher ensures that editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by commercial or institutional interests.
The publisher also plays a role in safeguarding the integrity of the publication process and addressing ethical concerns when they arise.