Conflict of Interest

TATEFL is committed to maintaining transparency, impartiality, and ethical integrity throughout the scholarly publishing process. This policy establishes the principles and procedures for identifying, disclosing, and managing conflicts of interest involving authors, reviewers, editors, journal staff, and other parties involved in manuscript evaluation and publication. The policy applies to potential conflicts identified before or after publication and is informed by the Core Practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Definition of Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest occurs when financial, personal, professional, academic, or other relationships or interests may influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, an individual's objectivity, judgment, or responsibilities in conducting research, reviewing manuscripts, making editorial decisions, or publishing scholarly work.

Identification and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the publication process are required to disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may affect their responsibilities or the integrity of the manuscript. Such conflicts may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Financial Interests: Research funding, employment, consultancy, financial investments, honoraria, or other financial relationships relevant to the submitted work.
  • Personal Relationships: Family ties, close personal relationships, personal disputes, or other circumstances that may affect impartial judgment.
  • Professional and Academic Relationships: Current or recent collaborations, supervisory relationships, institutional affiliations, or other academic connections that may create competing interests.
  • Competing Affiliations: Relationships with organizations or institutions whose interests may be affected by the research findings or publication.
  • Intellectual Property Interests: Patents, copyrights, licensing agreements, or other intellectual property rights that may be influenced by the research or its publication.

Management of Conflicts of Interest

TATEFL will assess and manage disclosed conflicts of interest fairly and transparently to protect the integrity of the editorial process and maintain confidence in published research.

1. Authors

Authors must disclose all relevant conflicts of interest when submitting a manuscript. Any financial support, funding sources, or relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation must be reported clearly. If a conflict of interest is identified after publication, the authors must promptly inform the Editor. TATEFL will assess the circumstances and determine whether a correction, disclosure statement, or other appropriate action is necessary.

2. Reviewers

Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts objectively and confidentially. They should decline a review invitation if they have a conflict of interest that could compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, their impartiality. If a potential conflict arises or becomes apparent during the review process, the reviewer must notify the Editor promptly. The Editor will determine whether the review should be reassigned or whether other measures are necessary.

3. Editors and Journal Staff

Editors and journal staff must disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their editorial responsibilities. Individuals with a relevant conflict must withdraw from handling the manuscript, including reviewer selection, evaluation, and editorial decision-making. The manuscript will be assigned to an independent editor or another qualified individual to ensure an impartial assessment.

If the Editor-in-Chief has a conflict of interest, an independent editor or another appropriate editorial authority will oversee the process. Editors, reviewers, and journal staff who are authors or coauthors of a submitted manuscript must not participate in editorial decisions or peer review concerning that manuscript. Appropriate safeguards must be implemented to prevent access to confidential information or undue influence over the publication process.

4. Publisher and Other Relevant Parties

The publisher and other parties involved in the journal's operation must ensure that editorial decisions are independent of financial, commercial, institutional, or other competing interests. Policies and procedures should be in place to identify and manage conflicts that may affect the fairness, transparency, or integrity of the publication process.

Transparency and Disclosure

TATEFL will communicate its conflict of interest policy to authors, reviewers, editors, and other relevant stakeholders. Authors' declarations of conflicts of interest, or statements confirming that no conflicts exist, will be included in published articles where applicable. Editorial or reviewer conflicts will be managed through appropriate internal procedures, with relevant disclosures made when necessary and appropriate.

All disclosed conflicts will be assessed according to their nature and potential impact. Where a conflict is identified after publication, TATEFL will take appropriate action to maintain transparency and protect the integrity of the scholarly record, in accordance with applicable publication ethics principles and COPE guidance.