The Journal of Community Development Diversity (JCDD) upholds the highest standards of ethical publishing practices. Our commitment to integrity and transparency guides all aspects of our publishing process, ensuring that our journal fosters trust and credibility among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. JCDD adheres to ethical guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all parties involved to act in accordance with these standards.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

• Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their work is original and has not been previously published. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited. Proper citations and acknowledgments must be provided for all referenced works.
• Accurate Reporting: Research findings should be presented honestly and without falsification, fabrication, or selective reporting of data. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their work.
• Authorship and Acknowledgments: All individuals who made significant contributions to the work must be listed as authors. Contributors who provided support but did not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately.
• Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence their research or interpretation of the findings.

2. Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Confidentiality: Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and not disclose information or use data contained within the work.
• Objectivity and Fairness: Reviews should be conducted objectively, with constructive feedback provided to authors. Reviewers should avoid any personal criticism and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
• Timeliness: Reviewers should complete their assessments within the agreed timeframe and inform the editor if any delays are expected.

3. Responsibilities of Editors

• Publication Decisions: Editors are responsible for the final decision to accept or reject a manuscript based on its relevance, originality, and contribution to the field. Decisions should be fair, unbiased, and based on the journal’s editorial policies and ethical standards.
• Fair Play and Non-Discrimination: Editors evaluate submissions solely on academic merit, without regard to the author’s race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest, such as financial interests, personal relationships, or competitive interests.

4. Handling Misconduct

• Investigating Misconduct: JCDD takes allegations of misconduct seriously. If potential misconduct is suspected, we will follow COPE guidelines to investigate and resolve the issue. This includes cases of data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or unethical research practices.
• Retractions and Corrections: In cases where errors or misconduct are identified after publication, JCDD will issue corrections, retractions, or other appropriate notices to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

5. Ethical Research Practices

• Human and Animal Rights: Authors must ensure that research involving human participants or animals adheres to ethical standards and has received appropriate ethical approvals.
• Informed Consent: In research involving human participants, authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained, and their privacy and rights were respected.