Publication Ethics

RESEARCH INQUIRY is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and academic honesty. The journal expects that authors, reviewers, editors and others engaged in the publication process will act responsibly, transparently and in line with accepted scholarly and ethical practices.

The aim of this policy is to foster the integrity of the scholarly record and to ensure that published research is honest, accurate and accountable.

Responsibilities of Authors

The authors who submit manuscripts to RESEARCH INQUIRY must:

• Submit original and unpublished work.
• Ensure research data and findings are accurate and complete.
• Properly acknowledge and cite all sources.
• Reporting any conflicts of interest.
• Obtain necessary permissions for copyrighted materials.
• Report errors or significant inaccuracies found after publication.

Plagiarism, fabrication, falsification of data, duplicate publication and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

The role of reviewers is paramount in ensuring quality research in publications. The reviewers should be expected to:

• Critically assess manuscripts in an objective and impartial manner.
• Confidentiality of materials submitted.
• Declare any conflicts of interest.
• Give positive and factual comments.
• Report suspicions of ethical issues or publication misconduct to editors.

Responsibilities of Editors

The editors have the responsibility to maintain the integrity and fairness of the editorial process. The editorial process is based on the principle of merit, originality, relevance and quality of the research.

Editors are expected to:

• Ensure confidentiality during the review process.
• Do not have conflicts of interest.
• Evaluate submissions impartially.
• Handle ethics issues as per journal policies.
• Maintain academic honesty.

Research Integrity and Misconduct

The journal will NOT tolerate:

• Plagiarism
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Duplicate or redundant publication
• Misrepresentation of authorship
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest
• Manipulation of the peer review process

All allegations of misconduct will be investigated by the editorial team, which may result in rejection of the manuscript, correction, retraction or notification to the relevant institutions if deemed necessary.

Corrections and Retractions

If errors, inaccuracies, or unethical practices are found in published articles, the journal will correct, retract, or make other editorial corrections as necessary. These are done to maintain the credibility and correctness of the scholarly record.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

The ethical duties of authors, reviewers and editors in the submission, review and publication process are expected to be done in accordance with the ethical tenets of the journal. Compliance with these standards will help ensure transparency, accountability and trust in scholarly communication.

For Prospective Authors

Authors should read the journal's publication policies, author guidelines and ethical requirements before submitting a manuscript. By submitting article(s) to RESEARCH INQUIRY, the author(s) agree to adhere to and uphold the ethical standards and publication practices outlined by the journal.