Publication Ethics

PIETAS: Jurnal Studi Agama dan Lintas Budaya (e-ISSN: 3031-4836) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal published by the Institute for Research and Scientific Publication (LPPI), Yuta Pendidikan Cerdas Foundation, in collaboration with the Indonesian Association for Religious Studies (ASAI). The journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity throughout the editorial and publishing process.

This Publication Ethics Statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in scholarly publishing, including authors, editors, reviewers, the Editorial Board, and the publisher. PIETAS adheres to the COPE Core Practices and Ethical Guidelines issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all participants in the publication process to uphold these principles.

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

The publication of a peer-reviewed article is a fundamental contribution to the advancement of scholarly knowledge. It reflects the quality, originality, and integrity of the research conducted by authors and their affiliated institutions. A rigorous editorial and peer-review process ensures that published articles contribute meaningfully to the development of religious studies, cross-cultural studies, and related disciplines.

As the publisher of PIETAS: Jurnal Studi Agama dan Lintas Budaya, the Institute for Research and Scientific Publication (LPPI), Yuta Pendidikan Cerdas Foundation, is committed to safeguarding the integrity of every stage of the publication process. Editorial decisions are made independently and are free from commercial, financial, or personal influence. Advertising, sponsorship, or other sources of revenue shall not affect editorial decisions. The publisher also supports the Editorial Board in addressing ethical issues and collaborating with other journals or publishers whenever necessary to preserve the integrity of scholarly communication.

Duties of Editors

Publication Decisions

The Editor-in-Chief has full responsibility and authority to decide which submitted manuscripts will be published. Editorial decisions are based solely on the manuscript's scholarly merit, originality, significance, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal's aims and scope. Editors may consult members of the Editorial Board or peer reviewers before making a final decision. All editorial decisions are made in accordance with applicable legal requirements regarding copyright, plagiarism, defamation, and research ethics.

Fairness

Editors evaluate manuscripts exclusively on their academic quality and intellectual merit, without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, religious belief, political philosophy, institutional affiliation, or any other personal characteristics of the authors.

Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts. Information concerning a manuscript shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, prospective reviewers, editorial advisers, and the publisher, as appropriate.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors shall not use unpublished information disclosed in submitted manuscripts for their own research or personal advantage without the explicit written consent of the authors. Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Duties of Peer Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer reviewers play a vital role in supporting editorial decisions and improving the quality of submitted manuscripts through constructive, objective, and evidence-based feedback.

Timeliness

Reviewers who believe they are not qualified to evaluate a manuscript, or who are unable to complete the review within the requested timeframe, should promptly notify the editor and decline the review invitation.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shared, discussed, or used for personal research without prior authorization from the editor.

Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively, fairly, and professionally. Reviewers should provide clear, constructive, and well-supported comments. Personal criticism of the authors is inappropriate.

Acknowledgement of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant published works that have not been cited by the authors and inform the editor of any substantial similarity, overlap, or suspected plagiarism between the submitted manuscript and previously published works.

Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers must not review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, institutional, financial, or personal relationships with any of the authors or organizations associated with the research. Any privileged information obtained during the peer-review process must remain confidential and must not be used for personal or professional advantage.

Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards

Authors must present an accurate, honest, and objective account of their research. Manuscripts should contain sufficient detail, appropriate references, and a clear description of the methods and findings to enable others to understand and, where applicable, replicate the study. Fabrication, falsification, or the intentional misrepresentation of research data constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

Data Availability and Retention

Authors should retain the original research data supporting their published work and be prepared to provide the data upon reasonable request by the editor, reviewers, or readers, where appropriate and consistent with ethical, legal, and institutional requirements. When possible, authors are encouraged to make research data publicly available through recognized data repositories.

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that submitted manuscripts are entirely original. Any use of the work, ideas, data, or words of others must be properly cited and acknowledged. All submitted manuscripts are subject to plagiarism screening. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is considered unethical and will result in rejection or retraction of the manuscript.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Submission

Authors must not submit the same manuscript or substantially similar research to more than one journal simultaneously. Manuscripts that have been published elsewhere, or are under consideration by another journal, will not be considered for publication in PIETAS.

Acknowledgement of Sources

Authors should appropriately acknowledge the contributions of previous studies and cite all relevant publications that have significantly influenced the reported research. Proper citation is essential to maintain academic integrity and scholarly transparency.

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the conception, design, execution, analysis, or interpretation of the research. All individuals who meet the criteria for authorship should be listed as co-authors, while those who contributed in other ways should be appropriately acknowledged. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed, approved, and agreed to the submission of the final manuscript.

Research Involving Human Participants or Animals

Research involving human participants or animals must comply with applicable ethical standards and institutional regulations. Authors should clearly state that appropriate ethical approval has been obtained, where required, and that informed consent has been secured from research participants. Authors are responsible for protecting the privacy, confidentiality, dignity, and rights of all participants. Personally identifiable information should not be disclosed without the explicit written consent of the individuals concerned.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, professional, or personal relationships that could influence, or be perceived to influence, the interpretation of the research findings. All sources of research funding and financial support must be clearly acknowledged in the manuscript.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works

If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, they are obligated to promptly notify the Editor-in-Chief and cooperate fully with the editorial office to correct, revise, or retract the article when necessary. Maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record is a shared responsibility of both authors and the journal.