Publication Ethics
Our Commitment to Research Integrity and Ethical Publishing Standards
COPE Compliance
Student Scholars Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and research integrity. We follow the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expect all parties involved in the publication process to adhere to these ethical standards.
For Authors
Research Integrity
Originality and Plagiarism
Every manuscript submitted to SSJ must represent genuinely original work that has not been published elsewhere or submitted simultaneously to another journal. We define plagiarism broadly to include not only the unauthorized use of another's words or ideas without proper attribution, but also self-plagiarism.
- All sources must be properly cited using APA 7th edition format
- Professional plagiarism detection software screens all submissions
- Similarity indices exceeding 15% require revision before review
Data Integrity
Authors must present their data with complete transparency, avoiding any form of fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting. This includes reporting negative or null results alongside positive findings.
- Raw data must be preserved for potential review
- Methods described with sufficient detail for replication
- Limitations and potential bias sources acknowledged
Authorship Criteria
All individuals listed as authors must have made meaningful contributions to the research and manuscript preparation. For student researchers, mentors should only be co-authors if they meet all standard authorship criteria.
Ethical Considerations
Research Involving Humans
Student researchers conducting studies with human participants must prioritize welfare, rights, and dignity. Informed consent is required, presented in clear, accessible language appropriate to participants' comprehension level.
Important: When working with minors, parental consent is typically required in addition to the minor's assent.
Research Involving Animals
Research involving animals requires adherence to established institutional and national guidelines designed to minimize harm and ensure humane treatment.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial support, sponsorship, personal relationships, or competing interests that might influence the study, even when they seem minor.
For Reviewers
Peer Review Standards
Confidentiality
All manuscripts must be treated as strictly confidential documents throughout the review process and beyond.
Objectivity
Evaluation must be based solely on academic merit, regardless of authors' institutional affiliations or backgrounds.
Timeliness
Reviews should be completed within 14 days to maintain our 30-day publication timeline.
Constructive Feedback
Reviewing manuscripts by young researchers requires balancing rigorous academic standards with encouraging, educational feedback that supports their development.
- Explain not just what needs improvement, but why
- Highlight manuscript strengths alongside areas for improvement
- Provide specific, actionable suggestions
For Editors
Editorial Responsibilities
Fair Process
Editorial decisions must be grounded in academic merit, free from bias related to authors' backgrounds or institutions.
Transparency
Clear communication of editorial policies, requirements, and decision reasoning to all stakeholders.
Quality Assurance
Systematic attention to quality through careful reviewer selection and plagiarism screening.
Editorial Independence
Editorial integrity requires that publication decisions be based solely on academic merit, free from external pressures that might compromise scholarly standards.
- Resistance to pressure from sponsors or institutions
- Declaration and management of conflicts of interest
- Separation of editorial and business functions
Handling Violations
Investigation Process
When ethical concerns are brought to our attention, SSJ follows a systematic and fair investigation process designed to protect all parties while maintaining publication integrity.
Initial Assessment
1-3 days
Investigation
7-14 days
Board Review
3-5 days
Implementation
Immediate
Possible Sanctions
- • Minor violations: Educational letters and revision requirements
- • Moderate violations: Manuscript rejection or temporary submission bans
- • Severe violations: Article retraction, institutional notification, permanent bans
Student-Specific Guidelines
School Projects
SSJ welcomes high-quality research that originated as school assignments, provided the work demonstrates substantial development beyond basic requirements.
- Clearly indicate when research originated as school work
- Obtain teacher permission if required
- Acknowledge school resources appropriately
Supervision & Mentorship
The relationship between student researchers and their supervisors requires careful navigation to ensure appropriate credit while maintaining student ownership.
- All guidance should be acknowledged appropriately
- Students maintain clear ownership of their work
- Mentors credited based on actual contributions
Key COPE Principles We Follow
Contact for Ethical Concerns
We encourage anyone with concerns about research ethics, publication misconduct, or violations of our ethical standards to contact our editorial team.
All reports are treated with complete confidentiality and investigated thoroughly according to COPE guidelines.
Last Updated: January 2025 | Next Review: January 2026
This ethics policy is reviewed annually to ensure alignment with current COPE guidelines and responsiveness to emerging ethical challenges.