Plagiarism and Publication Ethics

The International Journal of Research in Special Education is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly integrity in special education research and publishing. This statement outlines our policies on plagiarism, publication ethics, data integrity, peer review, and authorship. We expect all contributors, reviewers, and editorial staff to uphold these principles in every aspect of the publication process.

1. Plagiarism Policy

Guidelines Followed: COPE Flowchart: Plagiarism in a Submitted Manuscript | COPE Position: Determining Acceptable Levels of Plagiarism | EASE Guidelines for Authors

The International Journal of Research in Special Education maintains an uncompromising stance against plagiarism in all its forms. Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, undermines the foundation of scientific discourse and erodes the trust that the special education community and the public place in published research. We consider plagiarism to include, but not be limited to, the reproduction of another's ideas, text, data, or images without appropriate acknowledgment, as well as self-plagiarism where authors recycle substantial portions of their previously published work without proper citation.

All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo rigorous plagiarism screening using established detection software before being considered for peer review. Our editorial team examines each submission carefully to identify any instances of textual overlap, improper paraphrasing, or inadequate attribution. Authors are expected to ensure that their work represents genuine original scholarship and that all sources have been properly acknowledged through accurate citations and references.

Should plagiarism be detected at any stage of the publication process, whether during initial screening, peer review, or after publication, the journal will take immediate and decisive action. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarised material will be rejected without further consideration. In cases where plagiarism is discovered after publication, the article will be retracted, and a notice of retraction will be published to alert the scientific community. The authors' institutions and relevant professional bodies may also be notified of such misconduct. We urge all authors to familiarise themselves with proper citation practices and to use quotation marks and citations appropriately when drawing upon the work of others.

2. Publication Ethics

Guidelines Followed: COPE Guidance and Tools | WMA Declaration of Helsinki | CSE White Paper on Publication Ethics

The International Journal of Research in Special Education is dedicated to promoting ethical conduct throughout the research and publication process. We recognise that the advancement of knowledge in special education depends upon the integrity of those who conduct, review, and publish scientific work. Our journal adheres to the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all parties involved in the publication process to act in accordance with these standards.

Transparency forms the cornerstone of ethical research practice. Authors must provide complete and honest accounts of their research methods, findings, and any limitations inherent in their work. Selective reporting of results, manipulation of data to achieve desired outcomes, or concealment of findings that do not support the authors' hypotheses constitute serious breaches of publication ethics. The journal expects authors to present their research objectively, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions based on the evidence presented.

Disclosure of conflicts of interest is mandatory for all submissions. Authors must declare any financial relationships, institutional affiliations, personal associations, or other circumstances that could be perceived as influencing the objectivity of their research or its interpretation. Such disclosures enable readers to evaluate the work in its proper context and help maintain public confidence in special education research. Reviewers and editors are likewise required to recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Research involving human participants must be conducted in accordance with the principles set forth in the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and must have received approval from an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board prior to commencement. Authors must provide evidence of such approval and confirm that informed consent was obtained from all participants. The journal will not consider for publication any research that has been conducted without proper ethical oversight or that raises concerns about the welfare of human participants.

3. Data Integrity

Guidelines Followed: COPE Guidelines on Research Integrity | ICMJE Recommendations | APA Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS)

The credibility of research in special education rests upon the accuracy and reliability of the data upon which it is based. The International Journal of Research in Special Education is committed to publishing research that meets the highest standards of data integrity. Authors bear primary responsibility for ensuring that the data presented in their manuscripts are accurate, complete, and verifiable.

We expect authors to maintain comprehensive records of their research data and to be prepared to provide access to raw data upon request. Transparent reporting of methodology, including statistical analyses, is essential to allow readers and reviewers to assess the validity of the findings. Authors should clearly describe any data processing or transformation that has been applied and should report all results, including those that do not support their hypotheses.

In cases where questions arise regarding the accuracy or integrity of published data, authors may be required to provide the editorial board with access to their original data sets for verification purposes. Failure to comply with such requests, or the discovery of data fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation, will result in rejection of the manuscript or retraction of published articles. The journal takes allegations of data misconduct seriously and will investigate all such concerns thoroughly and impartially.

4. Peer Review Process

Guidelines Followed: COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers | CSE White Paper on Publication Ethics | CEC Ethical Principles and Practice Standards

The International Journal of Research in Special Education employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure the fair and objective evaluation of all submitted manuscripts. Under this system, the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review process, thereby minimising potential bias and allowing manuscripts to be judged solely on their scientific merit.

Upon submission, manuscripts that pass initial editorial screening for scope and quality are assigned to reviewers with relevant expertise in the subject matter. Reviewers are asked to evaluate the originality, scientific validity, methodological rigour, and practical relevance of the work. They provide detailed comments and recommendations that guide the editorial decision-making process. The journal is grateful to its reviewers for their invaluable contribution to maintaining the quality of published research.

Reviewers are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding the manuscripts they evaluate and to declare any conflicts of interest that might compromise their objectivity. They should provide constructive criticism that helps authors improve their work and should complete their reviews in a timely manner. The editorial team makes final decisions on manuscript acceptance based on reviewer recommendations, taking into account the overall contribution of the work to the field of special education.

5. Authorship Criteria

Guidelines Followed: ICMJE Authorship Guidelines | COPE Discussion Document on Authorship | COPE Guide: How to Handle Authorship Disputes

The International Journal of Research in Special Education adheres to the authorship criteria established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Authorship carries with it both credit and responsibility, and it is essential that this designation be reserved for those who have made genuine intellectual contributions to the work.

To qualify for authorship, an individual must have made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the study, or to the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; participated in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content; given final approval of the version to be published; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part are appropriately investigated and resolved.

All those who meet these criteria should be listed as authors, while those who do not meet all four criteria should be acknowledged for their contributions rather than listed as authors. The practice of honorary or guest authorship, whereby individuals are included as authors without having made sufficient contributions, is unacceptable and constitutes a breach of publication ethics. Similarly, the exclusion of individuals who have made qualifying contributions is inappropriate. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all authors meet the criteria and have approved the final manuscript.

6. Guidelines and Standards Followed by the Journal

The International Journal of Research in Special Education is committed to adhering to internationally recognised standards and guidelines for ethical publishing and reporting in special education research. We encourage authors, reviewers, and readers to familiarise themselves with the following organisations and their recommendations:

Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): COPE provides leadership in thinking on publication ethics and practical resources to educate and support members, and offers guidance for all those involved in scholarly publishing. https://publicationethics.org/

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE): The ICMJE produces recommendations for the conduct, reporting, editing, and publication of scholarly work in medical journals. https://www.icmje.org/

World Medical Association - Declaration of Helsinki: The Declaration of Helsinki is a statement of ethical principles for medical research involving human participants, including research using identifiable human material or data. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki/

Council of Science Editors (CSE): CSE is a membership organisation for editors and publishers of scientific journals, offering resources and recommendations that promote integrity and best practice in scientific publishing. https://www.councilscienceeditors.org/

APA Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS): JARS is a set of reporting standards developed by the American Psychological Association that specify the information authors should include when reporting quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, promoting transparent and accurate reporting. https://apastyle.apa.org/jars

European Association of Science Editors (EASE): EASE is a membership organisation for people interested in science communication and editing, providing guidelines for authors and translators of scientific articles. https://ease.org.uk/

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): CEC is the largest international professional organisation dedicated to improving the educational success and quality of life of individuals with disabilities and gifted learners, and publishes ethical principles and practice standards for special educators. https://exceptionalchildren.org/