Research Ethics and Human Subjects Policy

The International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in the conduct and publication of research involving human participants. All submitted manuscripts must comply with internationally recognized ethical principles to ensure respect, dignity, safety, and rights of participants.

1. Research Involving Human Participants

Research involving human participants includes, but is not limited to, studies using surveys, interviews, focus groups, classroom observations, experiments, case studies, audio/video recordings, and analysis of identifiable personal data. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research is conducted ethically and in accordance with applicable national and international regulations.

2. Ethical Approval

Authors must obtain approval from an appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB), Ethics Committee, or equivalent authority before conducting research involving human participants, where such approval is required.

  • The name of the approving body and approval reference number (if applicable) must be stated in the manuscript.

  • If ethical approval is not required under local regulations, authors must clearly justify this in the manuscript.

IOJET reserves the right to request documentary evidence of ethical approval during the review process.

3. Informed Consent

Authors must ensure that informed consent is obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in the research.

Informed consent should include:

  • Clear information about the purpose of the study

  • Description of procedures involved

  • Potential risks and benefits

  • Assurance of voluntary participation

For participants who are minors or legally unable to provide consent, consent must be obtained from a parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative.

4. Consent for Publication

When research includes identifiable information (such as images, videos, audio recordings, or detailed personal narratives), explicit consent for publication must be obtained from the participant or their legal guardian.

Authors must confirm that participants were informed about:

  • How the data will be used

  • Where and how the research will be published

  • Their right to refuse publication of identifiable information

5. Confidentiality and Anonymity

Authors must protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants at all stages of the research and publication process.

  • Personal identifiers must be removed or anonymized unless explicit permission has been granted.

  • Pseudonyms should be used where necessary.

  • Data should be reported in a way that prevents indirect identification of participants.

6. Data Protection and Storage

Authors are responsible for handling participant data in compliance with relevant data protection laws and regulations.

  • Data must be securely stored and protected from unauthorized access.

  • Personal data should be retained only for as long as necessary for research purposes.

  • Authors must ensure that data sharing, where applicable, does not compromise participant confidentiality.

7. Right to Withdraw

Participants must be informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any stage without penalty or negative consequences.

Authors should ensure that:

  • Withdrawal procedures are clearly explained

  • Participant data is removed upon request where feasible

8. Vulnerable Populations

Special care must be taken when research involves vulnerable populations, including children, individuals with disabilities, or marginalized groups.

  • Additional safeguards must be implemented to protect participants’ rights and well-being.

  • Research must demonstrate clear educational or scientific value and minimal risk.

9. Author Responsibilities and Ethical Compliance Statement

By submitting a manuscript to IOJET, authors confirm that:

  • The research was conducted ethically and responsibly

  • All ethical requirements outlined in this policy have been met

  • Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained where required

Failure to comply with this policy may result in manuscript rejection or retraction after publication.

10. Ethical Oversight and Guidance

IOJET follows the ethical principles and best practice recommendations provided by recognized international organizations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). These guidelines are used as a framework to support ethical decision-making while maintaining journal-specific policies and procedures.