Editorial Policy and Peer Review Process
Editorial Policy and Peer Review Process
Editorial Policy and Peer Review Process
The articles should be original, unpublished, and not in consideration for publication elsewhere at the time of submission to the journal and during the review process.
The focus of the journal is mainly on educational technology so submissions from science areas should have educational technology aspects. The journal is aimed at covering educational technology topics.
The journal is a refereed journal and has a double-blind review. Any manuscript submitted for consideration in publication in the regular or special issue of the journal is reviewed by at least two international reviewers with expertise in the relevant subject area.
The reviewers of a submission are independent of the authors and not affiliated with the same institution. The reviewers are assigned based on the submission topic and selected from international authors who have significant works on the submission.
The journal encourages submissions from researchers worldwide and is committed to promoting diverse international perspectives in scholarly research.
The submission is first reviewed by the editorial board. This initial review is completed in two weeks. If the submission passes the initial review, then the blind review takes about two to four months.
Editorial Policy
The editorial policy of the journal is primarily based on the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors published by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
The journal also adheres to the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, jointly issued by COPE, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).
The journal publishes only original scholarly works and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics. All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process.
Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere at the time of submission.
Submission
Authors wishing to submit manuscripts should consult the Author Guidelines for detailed information on manuscript preparation and submission procedures.
Submission of a manuscript implies that all authors approve the submission and agree to comply with the journal’s policies on publication ethics.
Preliminary Editorial Evaluation
All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial screening by the editorial team. Manuscripts may be rejected at this stage if they:
- fall outside the scope of the journal,
- do not meet minimum quality standards,
- fail to comply with ethical policies or submission requirements.
Only manuscripts that meet these criteria proceed to the peer review process.
Peer Review Process
Manuscripts that pass the preliminary evaluation are sent to at least two independent external reviewers with relevant expertise.
The peer review process is conducted through the journal’s online submission system. Reviewers are expected to evaluate:
- originality and novelty
- methodological rigor and validity
- significance of the findings
- ethical compliance
- clarity and quality of presentation
- relevance to the journal’s scope and readership
Reviewers provide detailed comments and a recommendation regarding publication.
Double-Blind Peer Review
The journal operates a double-blind peer review system, in which:
- reviewers do not know the identity of the authors
- authors do not know the identity of the reviewers
This process ensures impartial and unbiased evaluation.
Plagiarism Screening
All manuscripts submitted to the journal are screened for plagiarism using professional similarity detection software (e.g., iThenticate or equivalent).
Manuscripts containing plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or significant overlap with previously published work will be rejected. In cases of suspected misconduct, the journal follows the procedures recommended by COPE.
Research Misconduct
The journal takes all forms of research misconduct seriously, including:
- plagiarism
- data fabrication or falsification
- citation manipulation
- duplicate or redundant publication
- unethical research practices
Allegations of misconduct will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines. If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions may include manuscript rejection, publication of corrections or retractions, and notification of the authors’ institutions.
Authorship Criteria
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research and the preparation of the manuscript.
Authors should meet widely accepted authorship criteria, including:
- contribution to the conception, design, data collection, or analysis of the research
- participation in drafting or critically revising the manuscript
- approval of the final version of the manuscript
- agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work
Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately.
Data Availability and Reproducibility
The journal encourages transparency and reproducibility in research.
Authors should ensure that data supporting the findings of the study are available whenever possible. Authors may be asked to provide raw data during the review process.
When appropriate, authors are encouraged to deposit datasets in recognized repositories and provide a data availability statement in their manuscript.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
The use of artificial intelligence tools (such as generative AI or language models) must be disclosed in the manuscript.
AI tools may be used to assist with language editing or formatting but cannot be listed as authors, as they cannot take responsibility for the content.
Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work.
Authors, editors, and reviewers are expected to adhere to the ethical principles outlined in the journal’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.
Ethical Guidelines
The journal maintains strict ethical standards to ensure the integrity of scholarly publications and public trust in research findings.
Authors, editors, and reviewers are expected to adhere to the ethical principles outlined in the journal’s Publication Ethics Policy.
Final Decision
The Editor makes the final decision regarding the publication of a manuscript based on reviewers’ recommendations.
Possible editorial decisions include:
- Accept
- Accept with minor revisions
- Major revisions required (resubmission)
- Reject
For special issues, the Guest Editor manages the review process and provides recommendations to the Editor. However, the Editor retains full responsibility for the final decision.
Appeals and Complaints Policy
Appeals
Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe a decision was unfair.
Appeals must be submitted in writing and should clearly explain the reasons for requesting reconsideration. The Editor will review the appeal and may consult additional reviewers before making a final decision.
Complaints
Complaints regarding editorial processes, ethical concerns, or editorial conduct should be directed to the Editor or Publisher.
All complaints will be acknowledged and investigated in accordance with COPE procedures.
Responsibilities of Editors
Editorial Process
Editors are responsible for ensuring that peer review is conducted fairly, objectively, and in a timely manner.
Editors must maintain the integrity of the scholarly record and act without bias.
Editorial Decisions
Editorial decisions must be based solely on:
- the quality and originality of the manuscript
- the validity of the research
- the importance of the work to the field
- the manuscript’s relevance to the journal’s scope
Manuscripts must be evaluated without discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.
Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents.
Information about a manuscript may only be shared with authors, reviewers, editorial advisers, and the publisher as necessary.
Unpublished materials must not be used by editors for personal research purposes.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Accountability
Peer reviewers contribute significantly to the quality and credibility of scholarly publications. Reviews must be conducted ethically, objectively, and responsibly.
Reviewers should not recommend citations to their own work unless genuinely relevant.
Objectivity
Reviews should be objective and constructive. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.
Reviewers should clearly support their evaluations with logical arguments.
Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest, including personal, professional, financial, or institutional relationships with the authors.
Promptness
Reviewers who feel unqualified or unable to review the manuscript within the required timeframe should notify the editor promptly.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents.
Reviewers must not use information obtained during peer review for personal advantage.
Reporting Ethical Concerns
Reviewers who suspect ethical misconduct (such as plagiarism or data manipulation) must report their concerns to the editor immediately.
Reviewers should not investigate suspected misconduct independently.
For further guidance, reviewers may consult the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.
Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern
The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record.
Corrections
If an error is discovered in a published article that affects the accuracy of the publication but does not invalidate the results, a correction (erratum or corrigendum) may be issued. Corrections will be clearly linked to the original article.
Retractions
Articles may be retracted in cases of serious ethical violations or significant errors, including:
- plagiarism
- data fabrication or falsification
- duplicate publication
- unethical research practices
- major methodological errors that invalidate the findings
Retraction notices will be clearly identified and linked to the original article to ensure transparency.
Expressions of Concern
If there are serious concerns regarding the integrity of a published article but the investigation is ongoing or inconclusive, the journal may publish an expression of concern to alert readers.
All such actions will follow established guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Funding Disclosure and Conflict of Interest Policy
Funding Disclosure
Authors must disclose all sources of financial support related to the research reported in the manuscript. This includes funding from governmental agencies, foundations, institutions, or commercial organizations.
The role of the funding organization in the research process (e.g., study design, data collection, analysis, manuscript preparation, or publication decisions) should also be stated.
Conflict of Interest
All authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its interpretation.
Conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to:
- financial relationships
- personal relationships
- academic competition
- intellectual beliefs that may influence objectivity
If no conflicts of interest exist, authors should include a statement such as:
"The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest."
Editors and reviewers who have conflicts of interest regarding a manuscript must recuse themselves from the editorial or review process.
Archiving and Digital Preservation Policy
The journal is committed to ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of its published content.
All published articles are digitally archived to guarantee permanent availability even if the journal website becomes unavailable. The journal supports recognized digital preservation and archiving initiatives such as institutional repositories and trusted archiving systems.
Authors are also permitted to deposit the published version of their articles in institutional repositories, subject repositories, and personal websites, provided that appropriate citation to the original publication in the journal is included.
Publication Frequency and Timeliness
The journal publishes issues according to its announced publication schedule. Maintaining a consistent publication frequency is essential to ensure the reliability and credibility of the journal.
Editors and the editorial office work to ensure that the peer review process and publication timelines are handled efficiently. The journal aims to provide timely editorial decisions and publish accepted articles without unnecessary delay.
Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
The journal maintains a clear separation between editorial decisions and commercial interests.
Advertising, sponsorship, or external funding does not influence editorial decisions or the peer review process. All editorial decisions are based solely on the scientific merit, originality, and relevance of the submitted manuscripts.
Any advertisements that may appear on the journal’s website are clearly distinguished from editorial content.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
The journal is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in scholarly publishing.
The journal welcomes submissions from researchers worldwide and values contributions that represent diverse geographical, cultural, and academic perspectives. Editorial decisions are made without discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, religion, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.
The editorial board strives to maintain diversity in terms of expertise, geographic representation, and academic backgrounds.
Post-Publication Discussion and Corrections
The journal encourages scholarly discussion and constructive debate regarding published articles.
Readers who identify significant issues or potential errors in published articles are encouraged to contact the editorial office. The journal will evaluate such concerns and, when necessary, publish corrections, clarifications, or other updates in accordance with established ethical publishing standards.
