Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics for Research and Innovation in Applied Linguistics (RIAL)

Introduction

Research and Innovation in Applied Linguistics (RIAL) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and publication integrity. The journal adheres to the principles and best practices on Publication Ethics and expects authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers to maintain ethical conduct throughout the publication process. These guidelines are intended to ensure transparency, fairness, accountability, and scholarly integrity in all stages of manuscript submission, review, publication, and post-publication activities.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

1.1. Reporting Standards

Authors must present an accurate account of their research and an objective discussion of its significance. Data should be represented truthfully, and the manuscript should contain sufficient detail and references to allow others to replicate the work.

1.2. Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their work is original and properly cite or quote the work and/or words of others. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

1.3. Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors should not submit manuscripts describing essentially the same research to more than one journal. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently is unethical and unacceptable.

1.4. Acknowledgment of Sources

Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work.

1.5. Authorship and Contributorship of the Paper

Authorship is limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. Authors must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Substantial intellectual contribution to the study;

  2. Participation in drafting or critically revising the manuscript;

  3. Final approval of the version to be published; and

  4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Contributors who do not meet all authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately but should not be listed as authors.

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all listed authors meet these criteria and that no inappropriate authorship practices occur. Any changes to authorship after submission require written consent from all listed authors and approval from the Editor.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools cannot be credited as authors. Any use of AI-assisted technologies in manuscript preparation must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript.

1.6. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

All authors should disclose any financial, institutional, professional, or personal relationships that may influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. Sources of financial support must be acknowledged.

1.7. Fundamental Errors in Published Works

When authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they must promptly notify the journal and cooperate in correcting or retracting the publication where appropriate. 

2. Responsibilities of Reviewers & Mentors

2.1. Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists editors in making editorial decisions and supports authors in improving the quality of their manuscripts.

2.2. Promptness

Reviewers who feel unqualified or unable to complete a review within the required timeframe should notify the editor promptly.

2.3. Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed without editorial authorization.

2.4. Standards of Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively, respectfully, and supported by clear scholarly arguments.

2.5. Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant published work not cited by the authors and alert editors to substantial similarities between the manuscript and other published works.

2.6. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers should decline assignments where conflicts of interest exist and must not use confidential information obtained through peer review for personal advantage.

3. Responsibilities of Editors

3.1. Fair Play

Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit without discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.

3.2. Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must not disclose information regarding submitted manuscripts except as necessary for the editorial and peer-review process.

3.3. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist and must not use unpublished material for personal research without written permission from the authors.

3.4. Decision-Making

Editors are responsible for publication decisions based on scholarly merit, peer-review reports, journal policies, and applicable legal requirements.

4. Complaints and Appeals

RIAL welcomes legitimate appeals and complaints regarding editorial decisions, peer-review processes, or publication ethics.

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a written explanation to the Editor-in-Chief within 30 days of receiving the decision. Appeals should clearly identify the grounds for reconsideration and provide supporting evidence where appropriate.

Complaints regarding editorial conduct, reviewer conduct, publication delays, conflicts of interest, or ethical concerns will be investigated confidentially and fairly. The Editor-in-Chief may seek advice from members of the Editorial Board or independent experts.

The decision reached after the appeal process shall be considered final.

5. Allegations of Research Misconduct

RIAL takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously. Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Plagiarism;

  • Self-plagiarism;

  • Duplicate publication;

  • Data fabrication;

  • Data falsification;

  • Image manipulation;

  • Citation manipulation;

  • Authorship manipulation;

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest;

  • Unethical research practices.

Allegations may be raised before or after publication. The journal may request explanations, supporting documentation, or institutional involvement where necessary.

Depending on the findings, actions may include manuscript rejection, publication of corrections, expressions of concern, retractions, or notification of relevant institutions.

6. Data Sharing and Reproducibility

RIAL encourages transparency and reproducibility in research. Authors are encouraged to:

  • Maintain accurate records of research data;

  • Make research data available where appropriate and legally permissible;

  • Provide sufficient methodological detail to allow replication;

  • Include a Data Availability Statement where applicable.

Where ethical, legal, confidentiality, or proprietary restrictions prevent public sharing, authors should clearly explain such limitations.

Editors may request access to underlying data during the review process if concerns arise regarding the validity or integrity of the research.

7. Ethical Oversight

Research involving human participants must comply with recognized ethical standards. Where applicable, authors should provide information regarding:

  • Approval from an institutional ethics committee or review board;

  • Informed consent procedures;

  • Protection of participant confidentiality and privacy;

  • Special safeguards for vulnerable populations.

For studies involving interviews, surveys, classroom observations, focus groups, or other human-subject research, authors should indicate that participation was voluntary and informed consent was obtained.

Editors reserve the right to request evidence of ethical approval or participant consent.

8. Intellectual Property

(1) Authors who publish with RIAL retain copyright of their work 

(2) Published articles are distributed under the journal's designated open-access license (CC-BY-SA). Authors are also responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted material, including figures, tables, videos, photographs, instruments, or extensive excerpts from other works.

(3) The journal respects intellectual property rights and investigates allegations of copyright infringement, plagiarism, or unauthorized use of copyrighted content.

9. Post-Publication Discussions and Scholarly Debate

RIAL supports constructive scholarly discussion after publication.

Readers who identify potential errors, methodological concerns, ethical issues, or other matters affecting published articles are encouraged to contact the editorial office.

Where appropriate, the journal may publish:

  • Letters to the Editor;

  • Author Responses;

  • Editorial Notes;

  • Expressions of Concern;

  • Corrections;

  • Retractions.

All post-publication concerns will be evaluated fairly and transparently in accordance with publication ethics. 

10. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

RIAL is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record.

Corrections

Corrections may be issued when honest errors are identified that do not invalidate the overall findings of the article.

Expressions of Concern

Expressions of Concern may be published when substantial concerns exist regarding a publication but the available evidence is inconclusive or an investigation remains ongoing.

Retractions

Retractions may be issued when:

  • Research findings are unreliable due to misconduct or serious error;

  • Plagiarism is confirmed;

  • Duplicate publication is identified;

  • Data fabrication or falsification is established;

  • Significant ethical violations are discovered.

Retraction notices will remain permanently linked to the original article and clearly explain the reasons for retraction.

11. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-Assisted Technologies

Authors may use AI-assisted technologies to improve language, grammar, readability, or organization of manuscripts, provided that such use is disclosed appropriately.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, validity, and integrity of all submitted content.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors because they cannot assume responsibility for published work.

Reviewers and editors must not upload confidential manuscript content to public AI systems in ways that may compromise confidentiality, copyright, or intellectual property rights.

 

12. Editorial Independence Policy

Research and Innovation in Applied Linguistics (RIAL) is committed to ensuring editorial independence in all publication decisions. Manuscripts are evaluated solely on their scholarly merit, originality, methodological quality, and relevance to the journal's scope, without regard to the authors' institutional affiliation, nationality, or personal relationships. The publisher does not influence editorial decisions, and all editors are expected to maintain fairness, confidentiality, and impartiality throughout the peer-review and publication process.

13. Conflict of Interest Policy 

Research and Innovation in Applied Linguistics (RIAL) requires authors, editors, and reviewers to disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could influence the objectivity of the editorial or peer-review process. Editors and reviewers must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists. Manuscripts submitted by Editorial Board members are managed independently by another editor who has no conflict of interest, ensuring a fair, transparent, and unbiased review process in accordance with international standards of scholarly publishing.