Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement

ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

The IFHAM International Journal of Halal Ecosystem Studies is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity.

The journal adheres to internationally recognised ethical principles and best practices, in particular the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices, and applies these principles to all stages of the editorial and publishing process.

The ethical responsibilities outlined below apply to authors, editors, reviewers, the publisher, and the academic partner.

The Publisher, International Future of Education Association (IFEA), IFEA (M) Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) as Academic and Scholarly Partner, ensures that editorial decisions are independent and are not influenced by advertising, sponsorship, reprints, or other commercial interests.

DUTIES OF AUTHORS

Reporting Standards

Authors must present an accurate and objective account of their research. Sufficient detail and references must be provided to allow others to replicate the work where appropriate. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behaviour and are unacceptable.

Data Access and Retention

Authors may be requested to provide raw data for editorial review and should retain such data for a reasonable period after publication. Where feasible, authors are encouraged to make data publicly accessible.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that submitted manuscripts are original. Proper citation or quotation is required where the work or words of others are used. All forms of plagiarism are unacceptable.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Manuscripts must not be under consideration by another journal at the time of submission. Redundant or duplicate publication without proper disclosure is unethical. Secondary publication may be permitted under specific conditions with appropriate acknowledgment.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Authors must appropriately acknowledge the work of others and cite relevant sources. Information obtained confidentially must not be used without explicit permission.

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of the research. All sources of funding must be clearly stated.

Fundamental Errors

Authors are obliged to notify the Editor promptly if a significant error is identified in a published article and to cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.

Reporting Standards

Authors of original research reports must provide an accurate account of the work performed and an objective discussion of its significance. The underlying data should be accurately represented in the paper, which must include enough detail and references to allow others to replicate the work. Fraudulent or intentionally inaccurate statements are considered unethical and are unacceptable. Review and professional publication articles should also be accurate and objective, and editorial opinion pieces must be clearly identified as such.

 DUTIES OF EDITORS AND EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS

Publication Decisions

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for deciding which manuscripts are accepted for publication, based on scholarly merit, originality, relevance, and alignment with the journal’s scope and policies.

Fair Play

Manuscripts are evaluated solely on intellectual content, without discrimination based on personal characteristics, institutional affiliation, or beliefs.

Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must not disclose information about submitted manuscripts except to those directly involved in the editorial process.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest. Unpublished material must not be used for personal research without author consent.

Handling Ethical Complaints

Editors will respond appropriately to ethical concerns regarding submitted or published manuscripts. Investigations may involve communication with authors, institutions, or relevant bodies. Where misconduct is confirmed, corrective actions such as corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern will be issued.

DUTIES OF REVIEWERS

Contribution to editorial decisions

Peer review assists the Editor in making informed editorial decisions and, through editorial communication with authors, may also support authors in improving the quality, clarity, and scholarly contribution of their manuscripts. Peer review is a fundamental component of formal scholarly communication and lies at the core of academic research integrity. Reviewers’ recommendations are advisory, and final publication decisions rest with the Editor-in-Chief.

Promptness

Any reviewer who feels unqualified to assess the research reported in a manuscript, or who anticipates that a timely review will not be possible, should promptly inform the Editor and decline the review invitation. This ensures the efficiency and fairness of the peer review process.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shared with or discussed with others, except where explicitly authorised by the Editor. Information obtained through the peer review process must not be used for personal, academic, or professional advantage.

Standards of objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively and professionally. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their assessments clearly and constructively, supported by reasoned academic arguments, and focus on the scholarly merit, originality, methodology, and relevance of the manuscript.

Acknowledgement of sources

Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Any observation, derivation, or argument that has been previously reported should be accompanied by an appropriate citation. Reviewers should also notify the Editor of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and other published works of which they have personal knowledge.

Disclosure and conflict of interest

Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in a reviewer’s own research without the express written consent of the author. Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review must be kept confidential and must not be used for personal advantage. Reviewers should decline to review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, financial, institutional, or other relationships with any of the authors or organisations associated with the manuscript.

Ethical Responsibility

Reviewers are expected to uphold the ethical standards of scholarly publishing and to report any suspected ethical issues, including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, or unethical research practices, to the Editor for further investigation.