The International Journal of Islamic Education, Research and Multiculturalism (IJIERM) is an international, peer-reviewed scholarly journal published both in print and online editions. The journal is issued three times a year (January, May, and September) and managed by the Islamic and Multicultural Education Foundation (Yayasan Pendidikan Islam dan Multikultural). This statement outlines the ethical principles and professional standards that must be observed by all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, the editor-in-chief, editorial board members, peer reviewers, and the publisher.

Ethical Guidelines for Scholarly Publication
The publication of articles in a peer-reviewed journal such as the International Journal of Islamic Education, Research and Multiculturalism (IJIERM) plays a crucial role in building a reliable and coherent body of knowledge. It reflects not only the academic quality of the authors’ work but also the integrity of the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed publications uphold and strengthen the scientific method by ensuring the accuracy, originality, and rigor of research dissemination. Therefore, every party involved in the publication process—authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, and the academic community—is required to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, emphasizing honesty, objectivity, and scholarly responsibility. As the publisher, the Islamic and Multicultural Education Foundation is committed to maintaining ethical integrity at every stage of publication. The publisher ensures that commercial considerations—such as advertising, publication fees, or reprints—do not in any way influence editorial decisions or compromise academic independence.

Publication Decisions
The editor of the International Journal of Islamic Education, Research and Multiculturalism (IJIERM) holds full responsibility for determining which submitted manuscripts are suitable for publication after undergoing a rigorous peer-review process. Editorial decisions are made based on the academic merit, originality, and relevance of the manuscript to the journal’s scope and its potential contribution to the field and readership. In fulfilling this responsibility, editors may consult with the editorial board or peer reviewers and must also consider legal and ethical aspects, including issues related to copyright infringement, defamation, and plagiarism.

Plagiarism Screening
Authors are required to ensure that their submissions are entirely original works, free from plagiarism and any form of academic misconduct. Nevertheless, the editorial team performs multiple layers of verification before publication. The initial screening is conducted using the journal’s internal plagiarism detection database developed by IJIERM, followed by a thorough check using online databases and similarity detection software to verify the academic integrity and authenticity of the manuscript.

Fair Assessment
Editors are obligated to evaluate manuscripts solely based on their intellectual content and scientific merit, without discrimination based on the author’s personal background. Factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnicity, nationality, or political affiliation must never influence editorial judgment. Evaluation is conducted exclusively on the basis of scholarly quality, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

Confidentiality
Editors and all members of the editorial team are required to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all manuscripts submitted to the journal. No information about a manuscript may be disclosed to anyone other than the corresponding author, peer reviewers, potential reviewers, editorial advisors, or the publisher, as appropriate and directly relevant to the review process.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Editors and members of the editorial team must not use any unpublished material disclosed in a submitted manuscript for their own research purposes without the explicit written consent of the author. All parties involved in the publication process are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest—whether financial, professional, or personal—that could influence the evaluation or interpretation of a manuscript. Any form of sponsorship, financial support, or institutional affiliation that may affect editorial decisions must be transparently declared to maintain the integrity of the publication process.

Responsibilities of Reviewers
Contribution to Editorial Decisions
The peer review process plays a vital role in assisting editors in determining the scholarly merit and suitability of a manuscript for publication. Through constructive and critical feedback, reviewers contribute significantly to improving the quality, clarity, and academic rigor of the work under review.

Timeliness
Reviewers who feel unqualified to assess the research topic or are unable to complete the review within the agreed timeframe must promptly notify the editor and withdraw from the review process. This allows the editor to assign the manuscript to another reviewer who possesses the appropriate expertise, ensuring the review process remains efficient and fair.

Confidentiality
All manuscripts received for review must be treated as strictly confidential documents. Reviewers are prohibited from reproducing, distributing, or discussing the contents of the manuscript with others unless authorized by the editor. Information obtained through the review process must not be used for personal advantage or shared in any form prior to official publication.

Standards of Objectivity
Manuscript evaluations must be conducted objectively and professionally, without personal bias or prejudice. Personal criticism of the author is strictly inappropriate. Comments and recommendations should be clearly expressed, logically reasoned, and supported by relevant academic evidence. Constructive feedback aimed at enhancing the scholarly quality of the manuscript is strongly encouraged.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Reviewers are expected to identify relevant published works that have not been cited by the author. If a specific idea, data, or finding presented in the manuscript has already been reported elsewhere, reviewers must ensure that proper citation is recommended. In addition, reviewers must promptly inform the editor if they detect any substantial similarity, overlap, or duplication between the manuscript under review and other published works known to them.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
Any information or ideas obtained through the peer review process must be regarded as confidential and proprietary. Reviewers must not use such information for personal or professional gain. They must also refrain from reviewing manuscripts in which they have a potential conflict of interest, arising from competitive, collaborative, or institutional relationships with any of the authors or affiliated organizations involved in the research.

Peer Review Process

Authors’ Responsibilities
Reporting Standards
Authors are required to present their research findings accurately, honestly, and transparently, including clear methodological descriptions and objective analysis of the study’s significance. All data and findings must be sufficiently detailed to allow other researchers to replicate or verify the study. Any form of data manipulation, misrepresentation, or fabrication constitutes a serious ethical violation and is strictly prohibited.

Originality and Anti-Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their submitted manuscripts are entirely original works and do not contain plagiarized material, whether in part or in whole. When referencing or adopting ideas, data, or quotations from other sources, authors are required to provide appropriate acknowledgment and citation consistent with the journal’s referencing guidelines.

Multiple or Redundant Publication
Authors are not permitted to submit or publish the same or substantially similar manuscripts in more than one journal or primary publication simultaneously. Duplicate or redundant publication is considered unethical behavior, undermines academic credibility, and may result in the retraction of the published work.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Authors must properly acknowledge the work of others that has influenced or contributed to their research. All sources that are relevant and significant to the study’s framework, methodology, or findings must be accurately cited to maintain scholarly integrity and avoid copyright infringement.

Authorship and Contribution Criteria
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All major contributors must be listed as co-authors, while those who provided minor assistance — such as technical support or administrative help — should be recognized in the Acknowledgment section. The corresponding author bears full responsibility for ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and have consented to its submission for publication.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Authors must openly disclose any potential conflicts of interest — whether financial, professional, or personal — that could influence the interpretation or outcome of their research. Furthermore, all forms of financial support, institutional sponsorship, or research grants must be explicitly stated within the manuscript to ensure transparency and accountability.

Correction of Fundamental Errors
If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they are ethically obliged to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate in initiating a correction (corrigendum) or retraction as appropriate. Such actions are part of the author’s commitment to scientific integrity and academic accountability, which are core principles of ethical scholarly publishing.