KJCDT: Kepanjen Journal of Community Development & Transformation is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and academic integrity. The journal follows the principles and best practices established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher, to adhere to these ethical standards.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors must ensure that:

• Submitted manuscripts are original works and have not been previously published or simultaneously submitted to another journal.
• All sources of information, data, and ideas are properly cited and referenced.
• The manuscript does not contain plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or any form of academic misconduct.
• Authorship is limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the work.
• All co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.
• Any financial support, funding sources, or potential conflicts of interest are disclosed.
• Any significant errors discovered after publication are promptly reported to the editor for correction or retraction.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

• Evaluating manuscripts fairly and objectively based on academic merit, originality, relevance, and contribution to the journal’s scope.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and related communications.
• Ensuring a fair, unbiased, and timely peer-review process.
• Making publication decisions without discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, political beliefs, or institutional affiliation.
• Addressing ethical concerns and allegations of misconduct in accordance with established publication ethics guidelines.
• Preventing conflicts of interest throughout the editorial process.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

• Conduct reviews objectively, fairly, and professionally.
• Maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and review materials.
• Provide constructive feedback that helps authors improve the quality of their manuscripts.
• Identify relevant published works that have not been cited by the authors.
• Notify the editor of any suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, or other ethical concerns.
• Decline review assignments when a conflict of interest exists.

Publication Misconduct

The journal does not tolerate any form of publication misconduct, including but not limited to:

• Plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
• Duplicate or redundant publication
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Citation manipulation
• Authorship manipulation
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest

Any manuscript found to involve unethical practices may be rejected, corrected, retracted, or removed from publication depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any personal, professional, institutional, or financial relationships that may influence the objectivity of the research, review, or publication process.

Corrections and Retractions

When significant errors, inaccuracies, or ethical violations are identified in a published article, the journal will take appropriate actions, including issuing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions, to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

KJCDT: Kepanjen Journal of Community Development & Transformation is dedicated to promoting ethical research, responsible community engagement, transparency, accountability, and academic excellence. The journal strives to ensure that all published articles contribute positively to community development, empowerment, and sustainable social transformation.