The Journal of Creative Practices in Language Learning and Teaching (CPLT) is committed to maintaining high ethical standards in scholarly publishing and follows recognised guidance, including the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), in the declaration and management of conflicts of interest. All individuals involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and editorial board members, are expected to disclose any actual or potential conflicts that may affect the fairness, objectivity, or integrity of the publication process.
- Authors
Authors must declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could influence the conduct, interpretation, or presentation of their research. These may include financial interests, such as research funding, employment, consultancy work, stock ownership, honoraria, patents, or other financial benefits, as well as non-financial interests, including personal relationships, academic competition, or strongly held views that may affect objectivity.
Authors should also disclose all sources of funding and, where relevant, explain the role of the funder in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation. Such disclosures should be included in the manuscript at the time of submission.
- Editors
Editors must avoid handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest involving the authors, institutions, or funding sources connected to the submission. Where such a conflict exists, the editor must withdraw from the editorial process for that manuscript.
Editors must ensure that editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit and are not influenced by personal, professional, or financial considerations. Any relevant conflict should be disclosed and managed appropriately.
- Reviewers
Reviewers are required to disclose any conflict of interest that may compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, their impartiality. Where a conflict exists, the reviewer should decline the invitation to review.
Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential and must not use any unpublished material or privileged information for personal or professional advantage. If a possible conflict of interest becomes apparent during the review process, the reviewer must inform the editor immediately.
- Editorial Board Members
Editorial board members must disclose any relationships or interests that may affect their independent judgment. They must not be involved in editorial decisions concerning manuscripts in which they have a personal, academic, institutional, or professional interest.
- Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest
If an undisclosed conflict of interest is identified before or after publication, CPLT will review the matter in accordance with recognised ethical procedures. Depending on the seriousness of the case, the journal may take appropriate action, including issuing a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction.
