Ethical Principles

Learning, Training, and Education in Schools in the Third Millennium (LTES-TM) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing practice. The journal strictly follows the principles and guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and globally accepted best practices in scholarly publishing.

All parties involved in the publication process—including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—are required to adhere to the ethical responsibilities described in this statement.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

1.1 Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that all submitted work is entirely original. Any use of the work or words of others must be appropriately cited or quoted. The journal uses iThenticate plagiarism detection software to screen all submissions prior to peer review.

Plagiarism in any form—including self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, data falsification, and improper citation—is considered unethical and unacceptable.

1.2 Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently. Submitting previously published work without proper disclosure is strictly prohibited.

1.3 Data Integrity and Reproducibility

Authors must present accurate data and results. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data constitutes scientific misconduct. Raw data must be retained and provided upon request for verification.

1.4 Authorship and Contributorship

Authorship must reflect individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research. All co-authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission. Any changes to authorship after submission require written consent from all listed authors.

1.5 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, professional, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence their research.

1.6 Ethical Approval and Informed Consent

Research involving human participants must have been conducted in accordance with ethical standards and approved by an appropriate ethics committee. Authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained where applicable.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

2.1 Fairness and Independence

Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on scholarly merit without discrimination based on authors’ race, gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.

2.2 Confidentiality

Editors must ensure the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and reviewer identities.

2.3 Editorial Decision-Making

Publication decisions are based on peer-review reports, originality, relevance, methodological rigor, and contribution to the field.

2.4 Handling of Misconduct

Editors will take appropriate action when ethical complaints arise, including investigations, corrections, retractions, and institutional notification when necessary.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

3.1 Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents.

3.2 Objectivity and Constructiveness

Reviews must be objective, constructive, and free from personal bias.

3.3 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest and decline review when such conflicts exist.

3.4 Timeliness

Reviewers should complete evaluations within the agreed timeframe.

4. Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher is committed to preserving editorial independence, maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record, and ensuring ethical compliance across all aspects of journal operations.

5. Allegations of Misconduct and Corrective Actions

When allegations of misconduct arise, the journal will:

  1. Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation

  2. Allow authors the opportunity to respond

  3. Consult independent experts if needed

  4. Take appropriate actions, including rejection, correction, retraction, or reporting to institutions

All investigations are conducted confidentially and in accordance with COPE procedures.

6. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

  • Corrections are issued for minor errors.

  • Retractions are issued for major ethical violations or unreliable findings.

  • Expressions of Concern may be published while investigations are ongoing.

7. Ethical Oversight

LTES-TM continuously reviews and updates its ethical policies to ensure alignment with evolving international standards.