Publication Ethics and Malpractice

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Hitik: International Journal of Catechists and Religious Educators is committed to the highest standards of scholarly publishing. While we are not a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), our editorial policies and processes are guided by internationally recognized ethical publishing practices, including COPE’s Core Practices, to ensure transparency, integrity, and accountability in all stages of publication.

We promote fair double-blind peer review, editorial independence, and clear authorship guidelines. Any ethical concerns may be addressed directly to the Editor-in-Chief, who is committed to fair, timely, and confidential resolution.

Editorial Process

Our editorial process upholds:

  • Editorial independence and a commitment to diversity and inclusion;

  • Transparency and fairness in the review process;

  • Welcoming submissions from authors across all regions, backgrounds, and institutions.

Submissions go through:

  1. Initial editorial screening

  2. Double-blind peer review by at least two experts

  3. Review by the associate editor

  4. Final decision by the Chief Editor

Submissions with inappropriate behavior, harassment, or unethical correspondence may be withdrawn to protect editorial staff and reviewers.

Peer Review Ethics

We implement a double-blind peer review system, where neither authors nor reviewers know each other’s identity. Each manuscript is evaluated by:

  • Two subject matter experts

  • One methodology and research expert, where applicable

The reviewers’ reports inform the decision to:

  • Accept

  • Accept with minor or major revisions

  • Reject with resubmission option

  • Reject

If reviewer opinions conflict, the editorial board may:

  • Request additional reviews

  • Invite rebuttals

  • Consult with referees for clarification

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide constructive, impartial, and timely feedback

  • Maintain confidentiality

  • Disclose any conflicts of interest

✍️ Authorship and Contributorship

We follow widely accepted authorship principles, including:

  • Substantial contribution to the conception, design, analysis, or interpretation of the work

  • Final approval of the version to be published

  • Accountability for all aspects of the work

Submission Requirements:

  • List all authors on the cover page

  • Include full names, affiliations, ORCID iDs, and institutional email addresses

  • Submit authorship declaration as a separate file

  • Only listed authors will be credited in publication

Those who contributed but do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged.

Plagiarism Policy

We use plagiarism detection tools (e.g., Turnitin) for all submissions.

Criteria for acceptance:

  • Similarity Index must be 15% or lower

  • Grammarly rating must be 95% or higher

Submissions exceeding the limits will be returned for revision or rejected. Plagiarism discovered post-publication will lead to retraction.

Duplicate and Redundant Publication

We do not accept articles with significant overlap from previous publications. Redundant publication is only permitted if:

  • It provides novel value or context

  • The previous source is properly cited

  • Prior permission has been granted

(Cambridge University Press, Version 4.0, September 20, 2021)

Conflicts of Interest and Funding

Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose:

  • All financial or non-financial conflicts of interest

  • Any affiliations or relationships that may affect objectivity

  • All funding sources and grant support

Such disclosures must be included in the manuscript and author declaration.

Use of Human and Animal Subjects

Research involving human or animal participants must follow ethical standards.

Required Documents (as applicable):

  • Ethics Review Board Certificate of Approval

  • NCIP Permit for Indigenous People studies

  • Biosafety Permit for genetically modified organisms

  • IACUC/BAI Clearance for animal studies

  • DENR Gratuitous Permit for research in protected areas

Research without valid documentation will not be considered for publication.

Digital Preservation Policy

We ensure long-term preservation through:

  • Secure cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive)

  • External hard drives

  • Institutional email archives

  • Backup on compact discs (CDs)

This ensures continued access in cases of data loss, website crashes, disasters, or cyber threats.

Retraction and Correction Policy

Articles may be retracted for:

  • Proven cases of plagiarism

  • Fraudulent data

  • Significant errors not identified during peer review

  • Ethical misconduct

Before retraction:

  • Authors will be notified and allowed to respond

  • An investigation will be documented

  • Final decision lies with the editorial board

Corrections may also be issued for minor but important updates to published papers.

Comments and Debate

The journal accepts formal comments on previously published articles. These are reviewed by:

  • One independent reviewer

  • The author of the original article (when applicable)

If accepted, the original author will be invited to respond. All editorial guidelines apply to comments and replies.

Recruiting Referees

Referees are selected based on:

  • Expertise in subject matter

  • Independence and neutrality

Reviewer identities remain confidential unless disclosure is requested for:

  • University/agency documentation

  • Accreditation, incentives, or rankings

Written requests must be submitted to the editorial office.

Criteria for Acceptance or Rejection

An article is accepted when:

  • At least two referees recommend publication

  • Authors respond effectively to reviewers’ comments

  • Ethical standards are met

  • Plagiarism and grammar thresholds are passed

Recommendations may include:

  • Accept (as is)

  • Minor revisions

  • Major revisions

  • Reject with resubmission option

  • Reject outright

Ties or reviewer disagreements are resolved through additional review or rebuttals.

Publication Frequency and Fees

  • Publication frequency: Bi-annual (twice per year)

  • Article Processing Charge (APC): Php 1,000.00

  • Discounts may be granted upon written request and approval by the editorial board.

Open Access and Copyright

Hitik is an open-access journal. All content is free to access, download, and print. No subscription is required.

We are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Authors retain copyright and:

  • May share their article with proper citation and link to the journal

  • Retain patent, data, and intellectual property rights

  • Must credit the published version when reused

Appeals and Complaints

All appeals and complaints must be addressed in writing to:

hitikjournal@reapph.org
Attention: Editor-in-Chief
Hitik: International Journal of Catechists and Religious Educators

The editorial board will review and respond accordingly.

Privacy Statement

Personal data collected (e.g., names, emails) will be used solely for editorial purposes and communication. We do not share personal data with third parties.