Publication Ethics

Explorations in English Learning (EXEL) is dedicated to upholding the highest academic integrity and ethical publishing standards. Our editorial policies are guided by the principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and enforced throughout every publication stage. These ethical responsibilities apply to authors, reviewers, editors, and all parties involved in manuscript handling and publication.

1. Editorial Responsibility and Research Integrity

The editorial team at EXEL ensures that all submitted manuscripts are evaluated objectively, fairly, and solely on academic merit, regardless of the authors’ background, nationality, gender, or political affiliation. Editorial decisions are based on the manuscript’s originality, methodological rigour, relevance to the field, and clarity of presentation.

Editors are committed to maintaining strict confidentiality during the editorial process. Information about a submission is shared only with individuals directly involved in the review or publication. Editors must declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling submissions in which a conflict exists. Editors may not use unpublished materials disclosed in submitted manuscripts for personal research without the author’s explicit consent.

2. Reviewer Conduct and Confidentiality

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and credibility of the journal. They are expected to:

  • Evaluate manuscripts impartially and constructively;

  • Maintain confidentiality throughout and after the review process.

  • Decline reviews if they are unqualified or unable to meet deadlines.

  • Disclose any conflicts of interest.

  • Refrain from using any unpublished information for personal advantage.

Reviews should offer detailed, evidence-based feedback and avoid unprofessional or personal criticism. Reviewers are encouraged to suggest relevant literature and identify potential ethical issues, such as data fabrication or duplicate submission.

3. Authorship, Originality, and Plagiarism

Authorship must be limited to individuals who have contributed substantially to the research design, analysis, or writing. All listed authors must approve the final version before submission. Individuals who contributed in a limited capacity should be acknowledged in a separate section.

Manuscripts submitted to EXEL must be original, unpublished work. All external ideas, data, or quotations must be cited appropriately. EXEL maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism, including:

  • Direct plagiarism

  • Self-plagiarism

  • Inadequate paraphrasing

  • Undisclosed use of AI-generated content

All submissions are checked using plagiarism detection software. If plagiarism is confirmed before or after publication, the journal reserves the right to reject, retract, or issue a correction, and to notify relevant academic institutions or indexing services.

4. Accuracy, Transparency, and Source Acknowledgement

Authors must honestly present their findings without fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation. Where necessary, authors may be asked to submit raw data for verification. Manuscripts should include adequate methodological detail and references to allow replication by others. Funding sources, data providers, and all contributors must be given proper credit.

Private communications or information obtained in confidential contexts may not be disclosed without explicit permission from the source.

5. Research Ethics and Human Subjects

Research involving human participants must comply with international ethical standards. Authors must:

  • Obtain ethical approval from a recognised ethics committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB);

  • Indicate the name of the approving body and approval number (if applicable) in the manuscript.

  • Secure written informed consent from all participants.

  • Minors must obtain consent from a legal guardian and, where appropriate, assent from the child.

Anonymity and confidentiality must be preserved. Personally identifiable information should only be published with explicit written consent.

6. Responsible Use of AI in Research and Writing

EXEL acknowledges the growing use of AI tools in research and writing but requires transparency and responsibility. The journal distinguishes between:

  • Assistive AI tools (e.g., Grammarly), which do not require disclosure;

  • Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) must be disclosed when used to generate content or perform substantive tasks.

AI tools cannot be credited as authors. Authors remain responsible for AI-generated content's accuracy, originality, and ethical use. Generative AI must not be used to fabricate data, replace scholarly interpretation, or compromise participant confidentiality. Editors and reviewers are prohibited from using AI tools to evaluate submissions to protect privacy and review integrity.

7. Misconduct and Corrective Measures

Any confirmed instance of academic misconduct—including plagiarism, data manipulation, unethical authorship, or dual submission—will prompt appropriate action. Depending on severity, actions may include manuscript rejection, formal retraction, publication of an editorial notice, or notification to affiliated institutions and indexing bodies.

EXEL is committed to fostering a transparent and ethical publishing environment. We regularly review and update our policies to reflect evolving standards and ensure the trustworthiness of published research.