CERDAS – Journal of Community Empowerment, Research, Development, and Social Action

1. Editorial Responsibility and Ethical Commitment

CERDAS is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. The editorial team ensures that all manuscripts are handled with integrity, transparency, and academic rigor. Editors evaluate submissions based solely on scholarly merit, relevance to the journal’s scope, originality, and ethical soundness, without discrimination of any kind.

The publisher, Bacaan Media, guarantees full editorial independence and is responsible for safeguarding ethical practices at every stage of publication. Commercial interests such as advertising or reprint revenue have no influence on editorial decisions. Allegations of misconduct will be investigated following international best practices.

2. Peer Review Policy

All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process. At least two independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant field are appointed. In case of conflicting reviews, a third reviewer may be consulted. Reviewers must evaluate objectively, respect confidentiality, and declare conflicts of interest.

3. Author Responsibilities

Authors must submit original and accurate research. Plagiarism, data fabrication, and duplicate publication are strictly prohibited. All authors must have made significant contributions to the manuscript and approved the final version. Authors are required to disclose funding sources, competing interests, and the use of AI-assisted tools when applicable.

4. Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to provide constructive, objective, and timely evaluations. They must respect confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest. Reviewers should alert editors to potential ethical concerns such as plagiarism or data manipulation.

5. Research Ethics Involving Human Participants

Research involving human participants must comply with institutional and national ethical standards. Authors must obtain approval from ethics committees and informed consent from participants. Anonymity and confidentiality must be strictly maintained, in line with the Declaration of Helsinki.

6. Plagiarism and Publication Integrity

CERDAS strictly prohibits plagiarism and unethical practices. All manuscripts are screened with plagiarism detection software. Authors must properly cite sources and avoid excessive self-citation. Manipulation of data or images beyond accepted standards is unacceptable.

7. Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Notes

Corrections are issued for minor errors, while retractions are applied in cases of major ethical violations. Expressions of concern may be published during ongoing investigations. All updates will follow COPE guidelines for transparency and fairness.

8. Complaints and Appeals Procedure

Complaints and appeals regarding the editorial process must be submitted in writing to the editorial board. They will be handled confidentially, fairly, and promptly. Authors who disagree with decisions may submit a formal appeal with supporting evidence.

9. Reference to International Ethical Standards

CERDAS aligns its ethics policy with COPE Core Practices, ICMJE recommendations, and the Declaration of Helsinki. The editorial board periodically reviews and updates policies to ensure adherence to international standards.