Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The International Journal of Counseling and Applied Psychology (IJCAP) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record. The journal follows the guidelines and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All parties involved in the publication process—including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—are expected to adhere to the following ethical standards:

Duties of Editors

  • Ensure fair, transparent, and impartial evaluation of all manuscripts, based solely on academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • Guarantee confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and related correspondence.
  • Make publication decisions independently of authors’ nationality, gender, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.
  • Take appropriate actions in cases of ethical concerns, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or conflicts of interest.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest with respect to authors, reviewers, and editorial board members.

Duties of Reviewers

  • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback to assist editors in making editorial decisions and to help authors improve their manuscripts.
  • Maintain confidentiality of the review process and refrain from using unpublished information for personal advantage.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest that could bias their review.
  • Report suspected cases of ethical misconduct, plagiarism, or data manipulation.

Duties of Authors

  • Submit only original works that have not been previously published or simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
  • Properly cite and acknowledge all sources and contributions from others.
  • Disclose all potential conflicts of interest and funding sources.
  • Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data, and provide access to raw data if requested for verification.
  • Accept responsibility for the content of their submitted and published work.
  • Agree to participate in the peer-review process and respond to reviewers’ comments professionally and promptly.

Duties of the Publisher

  • Ensure editorial independence and prevent commercial or political interests from compromising editorial decisions.
  • Guarantee the permanent availability, accessibility, and digital preservation of published content.
  • Uphold ethical publishing standards and take corrective action in cases of proven misconduct (e.g., publication of corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern).
  • Support editors, reviewers, and authors in fulfilling their ethical duties.

Misconduct Handling and Retraction Policy

  • All allegations of misconduct will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines.
  • In cases of proven plagiarism, data fabrication, duplicate publication, or serious ethical breaches, the journal reserves the right to retract or correct the article.
  • Retraction notices will clearly state the reasons to ensure transparency and integrity of the scholarly record.