The BSU Journal of Education is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures to prevent publication malpractices. The journal follows ethical principles based on the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The following policy outlines the ethical responsibilities of authors, editors, peer reviewers, and the publisher.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to the BSU Journal of Education are expected to adhere to the following ethical standards:

· Originality and Plagiarism:
Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are original works that have not been published elsewhere in any language. Proper acknowledgment of the work and ideas of others must be made through accurate citation and referencing. The journal uses plagiarism detection tools, and any manuscript found to contain significant plagiarism will be rejected.

· Multiple or Redundant Publication:
Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Republishing or submitting overlapping work without full disclosure and permission is considered unethical.

· Authorship of the Paper:
Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study should be listed as authors. Others who contributed to the research or writing in a lesser capacity should be acknowledged appropriately.

· Acknowledgment of Sources:
Proper acknowledgment of all sources that influenced the research must be provided.

· Data Accuracy and Transparency:
Authors must present their data accurately. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data constitutes unethical behavior and will not be tolerated.

· Conflicts of Interest:
Authors should disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the interpretation of their findings.

· Correction of Errors:
If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy after publication, it is the author’s responsibility to promptly notify the editor and cooperate to correct or retract the paper.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

The editorial team of the BSU Journal of Education is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the publication process. Editors must:

· Editorial Decisions:
Make publication decisions based solely on the manuscript’s academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

· Fair Play:
Evaluate manuscripts without regard to the authors’ gender, race, institutional affiliation, or political and religious beliefs.

· Confidentiality:
Maintain confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and related correspondence. Manuscripts will not be shared with anyone outside the editorial process.

· Conflict of Interest:
Editors must not use unpublished information from submitted manuscripts for their own research without the author’s written consent.

· Investigation of Misconduct:
Editors are obligated to investigate and act upon any reported or suspected unethical conduct, including plagiarism or data manipulation.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a critical role in ensuring the quality and integrity of published research. Reviewers must:

· Confidentiality:
Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents and not use information obtained during the review process for personal advantage.

· Objectivity:
Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback to assist authors in improving their manuscripts.

· Conflict of Interest:
Decline review invitations if there is a potential conflict of interest with any of the authors or institutions involved.

· Acknowledgment of Sources:
Identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors and alert the editor to any suspected plagiarism or duplication.

4. Responsibilities of the Publisher

The Faculty of Education, Benue State University, as the publisher of the BSU Journal of Education, ensures that:

· The journal maintains editorial independence and integrity.

· Ethical standards and best practices in scholarly publishing are upheld.

· Appropriate actions are taken to prevent or respond to any form of research misconduct, including retractions, corrections, or expressions of concern when necessary.

5. Handling of Complaints and Appeals

Any complaints or appeals regarding ethical issues, editorial decisions, or publication conduct should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief. All complaints will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines, ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and transparency throughout the process.

6. Retraction and Correction Policy

The BSU Journal of Education may retract or correct published articles when evidence of misconduct, plagiarism, or serious error is discovered. Retractions and corrections will be clearly identified and linked to the original article to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

7. Policy Review

This Ethics and Malpractice Policy is subject to periodic review and revision to reflect best practices and evolving standards in academic publishing.