Research Ethics Policy and Regulations

We, as the Journal of Public Diplomacy, are committed to upholding research ethics and integrity. This policy and regulations document details what we expect from our authors, reviewers, editorial board members and outlines how we handle allegations of research misconduct.

Definition of Research Misconduct

1. Data fabrication: Intentional misrepresentation of findings by presenting manipulated, misrepresented, or made up data sources.
2. Plagiarism: The use of published and unpublished ideas without proper attribution and permission. Plagiarism includes cases of self-plagiarism, the practice of reusing one’s published material in other manuscripts without proper citations.
3. Duplicate publication: When the researcher's previously published manuscript is submitted as if it is a new manuscript.
4. Duplicate submission: When the researcher submits the manuscript to two or more journals simultaneously.
5. Authorship: Each and every author listed in a manuscript should have made a significant contribution to the work. Additionally, all individuals who have made such contributions should be named as co-authors.
6. Conflict of interests: The authors should not withhold any funding information, bureaucratic affiliations, or other links that might affect the potential reading of the manuscript’s findings.

Peer Review Process

7. Anonymity and confidentiality: Journal of Public Diplomacy carries double-blind peer reviews. Reviewers are expected not to know the authors. Reviewers should assume all documents shared with them are confidential and should not be shared with third parties.
8. Professionalism: Reviewers are expected to provide constructive criticism, helping authors to develop their manuscript.

Complaint and Review Mechanism

1. Each allegation of research misconduct should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief. Allegations will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and one Associate Editor. Additional members from the editorial board might be invited if necessary.
2. Decisions will be taken by consensus. If a consensus is not reached, the issue will be taken to the Editorial Board where the final decision will be reached through a majority voting.
3. If a research misconduct is identified, authors will be identified and given an opportunity to provide their accounts.
4. A final decision will be made as outlined in point 2. If there is no research misconduct found, the publication process will continue. If a research misconduct is found,

• Unpublished manuscripts will be rejected, regardless of where they are in the peer-review process.
• Published manuscripts will be retracted.
• Authors will be banned from future submissions to Journal of Public Diplomacy.

Additional Provisions

1. For all research ethics issues not outlined in this document, the editorial board will be contacted for guidance.
2. These regulations will take effect on March 1, 2021.