Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement | English Literature and Culture Journal (JCRELC)

The Journal of Creative Research in English Literature & Culture (JCRELC) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics. The journal strictly follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in the scholarly publishing process.

Responsibilities of Authors

• Authors must submit original and unpublished work that is not under consideration elsewhere.
• Proper citations and references must be provided for all sources, including paraphrased ideas and direct quotations.
• Authors are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions for copyrighted material such as images, tables, or figures.
• Any conflict of interest, financial or otherwise, must be clearly disclosed.
• Authors should promptly notify the editor if significant errors or inaccuracies are discovered in their published work, so corrections or retractions can be made.

Responsibilities of Editors

• Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit, without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, nationality, or political beliefs.
• Editors must ensure a fair, unbiased, and confidential review process.
• The editorial team has full authority to accept or reject manuscripts based on originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
• Editors are responsible for preventing conflicts of interest and handling cases of misconduct in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the quality and integrity of published research.
• All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents.
• Reviewers should provide constructive, objective, and timely feedback to assist authors in improving their work.
• Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest that could affect their judgment.
• Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited and notify the editors of any ethical concerns.

Responsibilities of the Publisher

• The publisher of JCRELC ensures that all publishing practices comply with recognized ethical standards.
• In cases of plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or unethical research practices, the publisher will take corrective actions, including issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.
• The publisher works closely with the editorial board to safeguard the integrity of the academic record.

Handling Misconduct

• Allegations of unethical practices such as plagiarism, duplicate submission, or data manipulation are thoroughly investigated.
• If misconduct is confirmed, the journal may reject, retract, or correct the article, and notify the relevant institutions or authorities.

Ethical Oversight

JCRELC is committed to ensuring that research involving human participants, cultural studies, or sensitive data is conducted with proper ethical approval and respect for academic standards.