Publication Ethics

LEADER; Journal of Local Economic Advancement & Development Research is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity. This ethical statement defines the responsibilities of all parties involved in the scholarly publishing process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher. LEADER adheres to internationally recognized principles of ethical publishing and best practices in academic research and dissemination.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are required to submit original manuscripts that have not been previously published, nor are under consideration for publication elsewhere. All sources, data, and references used in the manuscript must be properly cited, and any form of plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, or unethical research conduct is strictly prohibited.

Authors must present accurate and reliable research data with sufficient methodological detail to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Any potential conflicts of interest—financial, institutional, or personal—that could influence the research outcomes or interpretations must be clearly disclosed.

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All listed authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for making publication decisions based on the scholarly merit, originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and relevance of the submitted manuscripts to the journal’s scope. Editorial decisions must be conducted in a fair, objective, and unbiased manner, without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or institutional affiliation.

Editors must ensure the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and manage a transparent, impartial, and rigorous double-blind peer-review process. Any potential conflicts of interest related to editorial responsibilities must be disclosed and appropriately managed.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers contribute significantly to maintaining the academic quality of LEADER. They are expected to conduct reviews objectively, constructively, and within the agreed timeframe. All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents.

Reviewers must not use unpublished materials for personal research or advantage. They are encouraged to identify relevant literature that has not been cited and to notify editors of any suspected ethical issues, including plagiarism, redundant publication, or data manipulation.

Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher of LEADER is committed to ensuring editorial independence and safeguarding the integrity of the academic publishing process. Editorial decisions are not influenced by commercial interests or institutional pressures. The publisher actively supports ethical publishing practices and compliance with international standards of scholarly integrity.

Plagiarism Policy

LEADER strictly prohibits plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism and redundant publication. All submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts found to contain significant similarity or ethical violations will be rejected or returned for revision, depending on the severity and nature of the case.

Handling of Ethical Issues

Any allegations of research or publication misconduct will be handled in accordance with internationally accepted ethical guidelines. LEADER will take appropriate corrective actions when necessary, including issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern, to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.