New Trends in Qualitative Research (NTQR) is guided by the principles of research integrity, editorial transparency, impartiality and responsibility in scholarly publishing. Its policies on publication ethics and good editorial practices are informed by the principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), particularly its Core Practices and recommendations concerning authorship, peer review, conflicts of interest, research ethics and the integrity of the scholarly record.
These principles apply to authors, editors, peer reviewers and the publisher, helping to ensure the quality, credibility and independence of the publication process. COPE guidelines are available at: https://publicationethics.org/
NTQR procedures are peer-reviewed. We take all measures to guarantee an ethical publication process, based on the following principles:
Declaration of Poor Publication Practice:
NTQR repudiates any form of bad publishing practice that threatens the integrity of scientific research and compromises the trust of readers and the academic community. Publishing malpractice includes, but is not limited to:
NTQR is committed to taking firm measures to deal with any form of publication malpractice, including rejecting papers, retracting articles and reporting such incidents to relevant institutions and bodies.
New Trends in Qualitative Research (NTQR) is committed to ensuring transparency, impartiality and integrity in its editorial processes, recognising the right of authors and other stakeholders to submit substantiated complaints or appeals concerning editorial decisions, peer review procedures or potential breaches of good scholarly publishing practices.
Complaints and appeals are considered objectively, impartially and on substantiated grounds, in accordance with the principles of confidentiality, data protection and editorial independence, as established in NTQR's publication ethics policies and informed by the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Authors may submit a substantiated appeal against an editorial decision if they believe that a factual error, procedural irregularity, inappropriate interpretation of evaluation criteria or circumstance potentially compromising the impartiality of the decision has occurred.
Appeals must be submitted within 30 calendar days of notification of the editorial decision to ntqr@ludomedia.org, identifying the article title and submission identification number, the decision being contested and the specific grounds for the appeal.
Submitting an appeal does not automatically result in the reopening of the peer review process, nor does it guarantee that the original editorial decision will be changed.
Appeals will be considered by an editor who was not involved in the contested decision and who has no conflicts of interest concerning the article or its authors. The appointment of this editor is the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief, provided that they were not involved in the contested decision and have no conflicts of interest.
Where an appeal concerns the Editor-in-Chief, the person responsible for its consideration will be appointed by two members of the Editorial Board who were not involved in the process and have no conflicts of interest. If necessary, an independent external expert may be appointed.
Additional opinions may be requested from independent experts whenever justified.
Following consideration of the grounds presented, NTQR may uphold the original decision, revise it or arrange for an additional evaluation where scientific or procedural reasons justify such action.
The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the authors, together with the reasons supporting the decision.
NTQR accepts substantiated complaints concerning the journal's operations, including potential irregularities in the peer review process, undeclared conflicts of interest, breaches of confidentiality, inappropriate conduct by editors or reviewers, and other circumstances that may compromise editorial integrity and transparency.
Complaints must be submitted in writing to ntqr@ludomedia.org, accompanied by a clear description of the circumstances and, wherever possible, relevant supporting documentation.
Complaints will be considered by the Editorial Management, provided that its members are not implicated in the matters raised and have no conflicts of interest.
Where a complaint concerns a member of the Editorial Management, responsibility for its consideration will be assigned to an independent member of the Editorial Board, appointed by two members of that Board who are not implicated in the circumstances and have no conflicts of interest.
Where a complaint concerns the publisher, or where circumstances may compromise the independence of the internal review, its consideration will be entrusted to an appropriately qualified person external to the structure concerned, with no conflicts of interest, appointed by members of the Editorial Board who are not implicated in the matter.
The person who is the subject of the complaint may not participate in appointing the person responsible for its consideration, investigating the circumstances or making the final decision.
To ensure that a complaint is not initially handled by the person concerned, complainants may request that it be referred directly to an independent person through the alternative contact identified on NTQR's Contact page. This mechanism must ensure that the details of the complaint are not disclosed to the person concerned before the procedure for its consideration has been established, without prejudice to their right of reply.
NTQR is committed to considering all complaints submitted in good faith, ensuring impartiality, respect for those involved and the adoption of appropriate measures.
Complaints and appeals will be handled with the highest degree of discretion compatible with their proper consideration, restricting access to information to those whose involvement is necessary to establish the facts and reach a decision.
Confidentiality does not prevent the limited disclosure of information to directly involved parties, independent experts or competent institutions where necessary to clarify the circumstances, ensure the right of reply, comply with legal obligations or safeguard research integrity.
Any disclosure of information will be restricted to what is strictly necessary, respecting the principles of proportionality, personal data protection and peer review confidentiality, including the preservation of reviewer anonymity, where applicable.
Where there are indications of serious irregularities concerning research integrity, clarification may be sought from the institutions concerned, in accordance with applicable procedures and internationally recognised good practices in publication ethics.
Whenever a complaint involves allegations concerning the conduct or actions of an identifiable individual, that person should, where applicable, be given the opportunity to be informed of the relevant allegations and to provide any explanations or supporting evidence they consider appropriate before a final decision is made.
The right of reply will be ensured in a manner proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the matter, respecting the confidentiality of personal data, the protection of other parties and the requirements of procedural integrity.
The person responsible for considering the complaint must take into account the information provided by the parties involved and may request additional clarification or independent scientific, editorial or ethical advice.
The opportunity to respond does not entitle the person concerned to participate in the decision regarding the complaint made against them.
NTQR will endeavour to acknowledge receipt of complaints and appeals within 10 working days and to communicate a reasoned decision, wherever possible, within 30 calendar days of receipt.
Where additional enquiries, the exercise of the right of reply or consultation with independent experts are required, the parties concerned will be informed of the need to extend the review period, whenever such communication is possible and appropriate.
Decisions and the procedures followed will be documented internally, ensuring the traceability of editorial processes and respect for the principles of confidentiality, impartiality and data protection.
The submission of complaints or appeals in good faith shall not result in unfavourable treatment in future submissions to the journal.
NTQR reserves the right not to reopen cases in which a reasoned decision has already been issued concerning the same circumstances, unless relevant new evidence is presented.
This policy is informed by the principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), available at https://publicationethics.org/.
New Trends in Qualitative Research (NTQR) requires that all submitted works involving human participants strictly comply with internationally recognised ethical principles, ensuring the protection of participants’ rights, dignity, and well-being.
All studies must:
In cases where the research does not involve human participants or does not require formal ethical approval, authors must provide an explicit statement justifying this condition.
NTQR pays particular attention to research involving vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to:
In such cases, authors must demonstrate that additional protective measures have been adopted, including:
NTQR reserves the right to reject any manuscript that does not comply with these ethical principles or fails to provide clear and transparent information regarding the procedures adopted.
Commitment to Research Integrity
Authors must uphold the highest standards of scientific and professional integrity, ensuring that their studies are conducted in a transparent, responsible, and ethical manner. NTQR is committed to evaluating all submissions according to these guidelines, ensuring the credibility and quality of published work.
Promptness
Confidentiality
Objectivity
Acknowledgement of Sources
Disclosure and Conflict of Interest