Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Malay Constitutional Studies (JMCS) is committed to maintaining high standards of academic integrity, scholarly quality, transparency, and ethical publishing. This Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement sets out the ethical responsibilities of editors, reviewers, authors, and the publisher throughout the publication process.

JMCS is published by the Raja Ali Haji Research Network (RAHRN) and applies a double-blind peer-review process. The journal is committed to handling manuscripts fairly, independently, confidentially, and in accordance with internationally recognized principles of responsible scholarly publishing.

1. Responsibilities of Editors

The editors are responsible for evaluating submitted manuscripts on the basis of their academic merit, originality, relevance to the journal's aims and scope, methodological or analytical quality, and contribution to scholarship.

Editorial decisions shall not be influenced by an author's race, gender, religion, nationality, institutional affiliation, political opinion, or other personal characteristics unrelated to the scholarly merit of the manuscript.

Editors shall:

  • ensure a fair and impartial editorial process;
  • maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts;
  • avoid conflicts of interest;
  • select appropriate and independent reviewers;
  • protect the integrity of the double-blind peer-review process;
  • make publication decisions based on scholarly merit and reviewers' recommendations; and
  • take appropriate action when allegations of research or publication misconduct arise.

Editors shall not use unpublished information contained in submitted manuscripts for their own research or personal advantage without the author's explicit written consent.

2. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play an essential role in maintaining the scholarly quality and integrity of JMCS.

Reviewers shall:

  • evaluate manuscripts objectively, fairly, and constructively;
  • provide clear and academically reasoned comments;
  • maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and review materials;
  • disclose any potential conflict of interest;
  • decline a review when they lack the necessary expertise or cannot complete it within a reasonable period;
  • identify relevant published work that has not been appropriately cited where reasonably possible; and
  • refrain from using information obtained through peer review for personal or professional advantage.

Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate. Review reports should focus on the scholarly content of the manuscript.

3. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for ensuring that manuscripts submitted to JMCS constitute original scholarly work and comply with accepted standards of academic integrity.

Authors shall:

  • submit original and unpublished work;
  • ensure that the manuscript is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal;
  • appropriately acknowledge and cite the work of others;
  • accurately present sources, arguments, methods, findings, and conclusions;
  • disclose relevant conflicts of interest;
  • acknowledge sources of research funding where applicable;
  • obtain necessary permissions for copyrighted materials;
  • ensure that all listed authors have made appropriate scholarly contributions to the manuscript; and
  • promptly inform the editors if a significant error is discovered in a submitted or published article.

Submitting substantially the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously constitutes unacceptable publishing behaviour.

4. Originality and Plagiarism

JMCS requires manuscripts to be original. Authors must appropriately acknowledge ideas, quotations, data, arguments, and other materials derived from the work of others.

Plagiarism, including substantial unattributed copying, inappropriate paraphrasing, and the presentation of another person's intellectual contribution as one's own, is unacceptable.

Where concerns regarding originality arise, the editorial team may conduct further examination and request clarification from the author before making an editorial decision. Confirmed plagiarism may result in rejection of a manuscript or, where discovered after publication, appropriate corrective action.

5. Authorship and Contributorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made a significant scholarly contribution to the conception, development, analysis, interpretation, or preparation of the manuscript.

All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. Individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet the criteria for authorship should, where appropriate, be acknowledged.

Ghost authorship, guest authorship, and honorary authorship are inconsistent with the journal's standards of publication ethics.

6. Conflicts of Interest

Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any financial, professional, institutional, academic, or personal relationship that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their judgment.

Editors shall take appropriate measures to ensure that manuscripts involving potential conflicts of interest are handled independently and fairly.

7. Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted to JMCS shall be treated as confidential documents during the editorial and peer-review process.

Editors and reviewers must not disclose information concerning a manuscript to persons who are not involved in the editorial process, except where disclosure is required for the investigation of suspected misconduct or otherwise necessary for responsible editorial handling.

8. Research Integrity

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their research. Fabrication, falsification, manipulation of evidence or data, deliberate misrepresentation of sources, and other forms of research misconduct are prohibited.

Where research involves human participants, personal data, confidential materials, or other matters requiring ethical approval or informed consent, authors are responsible for complying with applicable ethical and legal requirements.

9. Complaints and Allegations of Misconduct

JMCS takes allegations of publication misconduct seriously. Complaints or allegations concerning plagiarism, authorship disputes, conflicts of interest, manipulation of the peer-review process, fabrication, falsification, unethical research practices, or other forms of misconduct will be examined fairly and, where appropriate, confidentially.

Authors, reviewers, and other interested parties may contact the editorial office regarding suspected misconduct. The journal will provide relevant parties with a reasonable opportunity to respond before reaching conclusions regarding serious allegations.

10. Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Actions

JMCS is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. When significant errors or misconduct are identified after publication, the journal may take appropriate editorial action, including:

  • publishing a correction;
  • publishing an editorial notice;
  • retracting an article; or
  • taking other measures necessary to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

The appropriate action will depend on the nature and seriousness of the issue.

11. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions shall be based on academic considerations and the journal's editorial policies. The publisher, sponsoring organizations, institutional affiliations, or other external parties shall not improperly influence decisions concerning the acceptance or rejection of individual manuscripts.

12. Peer-Review Integrity

JMCS employs a double-blind peer-review process. The identities of authors and reviewers shall be protected in accordance with the journal's peer-review procedures.

Attempts to manipulate reviewer selection, fabricate reviewer identities, interfere with the review process, or otherwise compromise peer-review integrity constitute publication misconduct.

13. Intellectual Property and Copyright

Authors must respect applicable intellectual property and copyright requirements. Materials reproduced from other sources must be appropriately cited and, where required, reproduced with permission.

Articles published by JMCS are made available under the journal's stated open-access and licensing policy.

14. Responsibilities of the Publisher

Raja Ali Haji Research Network (RAHRN), as the publisher of JMCS, supports the editorial independence of the journal and the maintenance of academic and publication integrity.

The publisher shall support appropriate procedures for addressing ethical concerns, corrections, retractions, and other matters affecting the integrity of the journal's scholarly record.

15. Commitment to Ethical Publishing

JMCS is committed to continuously improving its editorial practices in accordance with internationally recognized principles of publication ethics and responsible scholarly communication.

Questions, complaints, or concerns relating to publication ethics may be submitted to the JMCS Editorial Office.