Ethical Standards

The International Journal for Research in Tourism and Hospitality (IJRTH) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity in academic publishing. The journal follows the ethical principles and best-practice guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the editorial and publication process.

In accordance with COPE Core Practices, the journal periodically reviews and updates its editorial policies to ensure that all publication procedures remain aligned with internationally accepted ethical standards. The journal also welcomes constructive feedback from authors, reviewers, and members of the editorial board in order to continuously improve the quality and integrity of the publication process.

All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process, where both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous during the evaluation stage. Manuscripts are reviewed by qualified editorial board members and independent subject experts who possess relevant academic and research expertise. During the editorial process, manuscripts may undergo technical and language checks to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to academic standards without altering the original scholarly contribution of the authors.

Research Misconduct Policy

The journal adheres to COPE recommendations when handling allegations of research misconduct. Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

  • Duplicate submission or redundant publication

  • Plagiarism or improper reuse of text, data, or ideas without appropriate citation

  • Fabrication or falsification of research data

When potential ethical concerns are raised by reviewers, editors, or readers, the editorial office conducts an initial assessment following COPE guidelines and flowcharts for managing suspected misconduct. Authors are contacted and provided with an opportunity to respond and clarify the issue.

If errors are identified and acknowledged, appropriate corrective measures may be implemented. These may include issuing corrections, clarifications, or notices to maintain the accuracy of the scholarly record. If the explanation provided by the author is unsatisfactory or if the integrity of the work cannot be verified, the manuscript may be rejected. For already published articles, actions such as an expression of concern or retraction may be considered in accordance with COPE recommendations.

In situations where disputes remain unresolved or the authors fail to respond, the matter may be referred to the authors’ affiliated institutions for further investigation, as advised by COPE.

Authorship and Contributorship Policy

The journal follows COPE guidelines regarding authorship and contributorship to ensure transparency and proper credit for scholarly work. Requests for changes in authorship may be submitted either before or after publication and may involve:

  • Addition or removal of an author

  • Change or addition of a corresponding author

All such requests must be submitted in writing and must include a clear explanation for the proposed modification. In accordance with ethical publishing standards, written consent from all listed authors is required before any authorship changes can be approved.

If all authors agree to the requested modification, the editorial office will proceed with the change. However, if a consensus cannot be reached among the authors, the manuscript or published article may be temporarily placed on hold until the issue is resolved. In cases where disputes remain unresolved after publication, the matter may be referred to the authors’ affiliated institutions, following COPE best-practice recommendations.