Policies & Guidelines

Policies & Guidelines

In this section, you will find an overview of the policies encompassing manuscript submission, peer review processes, authorship criteria, ethical guidelines, copyright policies, and more. These policies are designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and quality in every aspect of the journal's operations.

1. Scope

2. Author(s) Contributions / Credits Policy

3. Affiliation Policy

4. Citation Guidelines     

4.1. Accurate and Complete Citations
4.2. Citing Previous Work Appropriately
4.3. Avoiding Plagiarism
4.4. Transparent Self-Citation
4.5. Correcting and Retracting Citations
4.6. Cross-Checking Citations
4.7. Citing Reliable Sources
4.8. Adhering to Copyright Guidelines

5. Conflict of Interest / Competing Interest Policy    

5.1. Editorial Board Conflicts
5.2. Disclosure Process
5.3. Handling Conflict of Interest
5.4. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

6. Author(s) Appeals

6.1. Appeal Process and Complaint Handling
6.2. Continuous Improvement

7. Corrections, Retractions, and Withdrawal Policy     

7.1. Corrections Policy
7.2. Retractions Policy
7.3. Withdrawals Policy

8. Policy for Research Misconducts     

8.1. Reporting Mechanism
8.2. Preliminary Assessment
8.3. Investigation Process
8.4. Investigation Findings and Outcomes
8.5. Corrective Actions and Sanctions
8.6. Appeals Process

9. Editors / Chief Editors Code of Conduct     

9.1. Impartiality and Fairness
9.2. Confidentiality and Privacy
9.3. Editorial Independence
9.4. Transparency and Accountability
9.5. Ethical Standards and Integrity
9.6. Continuous Professional Development

10. Data Availability and Sharing Policy     

10.1. Data Availability Statement
10.2. Open Data
10.3. Data Sharing Exceptions
10.4. Data Access Requirements
10.5. Reproducibility and Validation
10.6. Compliance Monitoring

11. Use of Figures, Tables, and Images in Articles     

11.1. Copyright Compliance
11.2. Originality and Authenticity
11.3. Clarity and Appropriateness
11.4. Ethical Use of Images
11.5. Quality and Resolution
11.6. Consistency and Formatting
11.7. Permissions and Citations

12. Plagiarism Policy

13. Peer Review Policy     

13.1. Role of Reviewers

14. Research Ethics Guidelines     

14.1. Objective and Scope
14.2. Ethical Guidelines for Authors
14.3. Peer Review Process
14.4. Editorial Responsibilities
14.5. Compliance with Ethical Standards
14.6. Reporting and Investigation of Ethical Concerns
14.7. Education and Awareness

15. Harassment of Authors, Editors, and JIBEP Team     

15.1. Reporting Mechanism
15.2. Investigation Process
15.3. Support and Protection
15.4. Disciplinary Actions
15.5. Awareness and Training
15.6. Transparency and Accountability

16. Accessibility Policy / Open Access Statement

17. Digital Archiving Policy

18. Article Processing Charges (APC)

19. Copyrights and Permissions

20. Registration of Trials and Systematic Reviews

21. Subscription Policy

22. Advertisement Policy

1. Scope

The Journal of Islamic Banking, Economics and Policy (JIBEP) publishes original, peer-reviewed research that advances knowledge and professional practice in Islamic banking, finance, economics, and public-policy studies.
Its mission is to provide an interdisciplinary platform linking Shari‘a-compliant financial innovation with the broader fields of sustainable development, ethical investment, and socioeconomic policy.

JIBEP welcomes theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented contributions from academics, practitioners, regulators, and researchers working across—but not limited to—the following areas:

  • Islamic banking, financial institutions, and monetary systems
  • Islamic capital markets, Sukuk, and Takaful (Islamic insurance)
  • Sustainable and responsible finance, ESG integration, and SDG alignment
  • Comparative studies between conventional and Islamic financial models
  • FinTech, digital transformation, and Islamic digital-banking innovation
  • Economic policy, governance, and institutional reform in Muslim-majority and emerging economies
  • Risk management, accounting, auditing, and corporate-governance ethics
  • Poverty alleviation, microfinance, and social-impact investment in the Islamic-finance context
  • Legal, regulatory, and Shari‘a-governance frameworks
  • Interdisciplinary research bridging Islamic finance with economics, law, sustainability, and international development

JIBEP encourages research that combines rigorous scholarship with real-world policy relevance, highlighting how Islamic finance principles contribute to inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and ethical governance in the global financial system.

2. Author Contributions / Credits Policy

JIBEP upholds transparent and ethical authorship practices to ensure that credit is accurately assigned and accountability is clearly established for all published work. Authorship should reflect substantial scholarly contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study.

2.1. Authorship Criteria

To qualify as an author, each contributor must have:

  1. Made a significant intellectual contribution to the conception, design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the research.
  2. Participated in drafting, revising, or approving the final manuscript.
  3. Agreed to be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work.

Individuals who do not meet all three criteria (e.g., providing funding, technical help, or editorial assistance) should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgments section rather than listed as authors.

2.2. Authorship Order and Changes

The order of authors must be determined collectively before submission and should reflect the relative contribution of each author.

  • Requests to add, remove, or reorder authors after submission must include written consent from all listed authors and a clear justification.
  • Authorship changes are only considered before acceptance and must be approved by the Editor-in-Chief.

2.3. Equal Contributions and Group Authorship

If two or more authors have contributed equally, this must be clearly indicated with a footnote or author note.
For group or institutional authorship, individual members must still be named and their specific contributions acknowledged.

2.4. Author Contribution Statement

To enhance transparency, JIBEP encourages submitting authors to include a “Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT)” statement at the end of the manuscript. This section should specify each author’s role under categories such as:

  • Conceptualization
  • Methodology
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Writing – Original Draft
  • Writing – Review and Editing
  • Supervision
  • Funding Acquisition

2.5. Dispute Resolution

In case of authorship disputes, the editorial board will follow COPE’s authorship dispute procedures. The journal may suspend the review or publication process until a written resolution signed by all parties is received. Proven misconduct, such as guest, ghost, or gift authorship, may result in rejection or retraction of the article.

3. Affiliation Policy

JIBEP requires all authors, reviewers, and editors to provide accurate and verifiable institutional affiliations to ensure transparency, traceability, and academic accountability in published work.

3.1. Author Affiliations

  • Each author must list the official institution or organization with which they were affiliated at the time the research was conducted.
  • If an author has changed affiliation since completing the research, both the current and research-time affiliations may be indicated.
  • Institutional names must be written in full (no acronyms alone) and include the department, faculty, or school, as applicable.
  • For independent researchers or unaffiliated contributors, a clear designation such as “Independent Researcher” must be stated.

3.2. Accuracy and Verification

The editorial office may request verification of an affiliation if inconsistencies arise.
Affiliations that are false, unverifiable, or misleading constitute an ethical violation and may result in rejection or retraction of the article.

3.3. Multi-Institutional or Cross-Country Research

For research involving authors from multiple institutions or countries, all affiliations must be included in the published article exactly as declared during submission.
Each author must ensure that their institution’s name and country are correctly reflected to support accurate metadata indexing in Crossref, DOAJ, and Scopus.

3.4. Acknowledgment of Institutional Support

If an institution provided funding, facilities, or ethical clearance, this must be disclosed in the Acknowledgments or Funding Statement.
The journal encourages authors to include institutional grant numbers or project identifiers where applicable.

3.5. Editorial and Reviewer Affiliations

Editorial board members and peer reviewers must also use their current institutional affiliations in all journal communications.
This information is published transparently on the JIBEP website to uphold academic integrity and credibility.

4. Citation Guidelines

JIBEP recognises that accurate, transparent, and ethical citation practices are essential to maintaining the credibility and traceability of academic research. Authors are required to ensure that all citations are complete, verifiable, and responsibly selected to support scholarly integrity.

4.1. Accurate and Complete Citations

All sources cited in the manuscript must be correctly formatted according to APA 7th Edition and correspond exactly to entries in the reference list. Authors are responsible for confirming the accuracy of publication details, author names, DOIs, and page numbers before submission.

4.2. Citing Previous Work Appropriately

Authors must acknowledge all relevant prior research that informed the study. References should represent a balanced range of perspectives rather than selectively citing work that supports one conclusion. Failure to cite significant prior research constitutes poor scholarly practice.

4.3. Avoiding Plagiarism

Verbatim quotations must be placed in quotation marks and fully referenced. Paraphrased material must be cited to its original source. Unacknowledged use of another’s intellectual output—including ideas, figures, or datasets—will be treated as plagiarism under JIBEP’s Research Misconduct Policy.

4.4. Transparent Self-Citation

Authors may reference their own previously published work only when relevant and necessary. Excessive or strategic self-citation intended to inflate citation counts is prohibited. All self-citations must be clearly contextualised within the argument of the paper.

4.5. Correcting and Retracting Citations

If an author discovers that a cited source is incorrect or has been retracted, they must notify the editor immediately. Corrections or notices of retraction will be issued where required to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

4.6. Cross-Checking Citations

The editorial team conducts random citation audits to verify the existence and accuracy of key references. Articles containing fabricated or falsified citations will be rejected or retracted.

4.7. Citing Reliable Sources

Authors must rely on peer-reviewed academic literature, reputable institutional reports, and credible primary data. Non-academic, promotional, or unverifiable web content should be cited only when directly relevant and clearly identified as such.

4.8. Adhering to Copyright Guidelines

Figures, tables, or text excerpts reproduced from other works must include formal permission where required and full source attribution. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all cited materials comply with copyright and licensing laws, including Creative Commons terms.

5. Conflict of Interest / Competing Interest Policy

JIBEP is committed to maintaining editorial independence and objectivity throughout all stages of the publication process. All parties involved—authors, reviewers, editors, and staff—must disclose any financial, professional, or personal relationships that could influence, or be perceived to influence, the integrity of a manuscript’s review or publication.

5.1. Author Conflicts of Interest

  • Authors must declare any financial interests, consultancies, employment, stock ownership, patents, honoraria, or research funding that could reasonably be viewed as affecting the results or interpretation of their work.
  • All disclosures must appear in a dedicated “Conflict of Interest Statement” within the manuscript.
  • If no conflict exists, authors must include the following statement:

“The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.”

5.2. Editorial Board Conflicts

  • Editors and editorial staff must withdraw from decision-making on manuscripts where a conflict exists, such as prior collaboration, institutional affiliation, or personal relationship with the author(s).
  • The Editor-in-Chief will assign an alternative editor to ensure impartial review.
  • Editors must not use unpublished information obtained through manuscript handling for personal advantage or to disadvantage others.

5.3. Reviewer Conflicts

  • Reviewers must decline any invitation where a conflict of interest may compromise their objectivity—examples include competitive, collaborative, or supervisory relationships with the author(s).
  • If a conflict becomes apparent during review, the reviewer must notify the editorial office immediately and recuse themselves.
  • Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential documents and must not use their content prior to publication.

5.4. Disclosure and Management

  • All declared conflicts will be published alongside the article when relevant.
  • Undisclosed conflicts discovered after publication may lead to correction, expression of concern, or retraction.
  • The Managing Editor maintains a register of disclosures and oversees compliance with this policy.

5.5. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

This policy is reviewed annually to align with best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

6. Author Appeals and Complaint Handling Policy

JIBEP provides authors with a fair and transparent mechanism to appeal editorial decisions and raise complaints regarding the review or publication process. This policy ensures that all grievances are handled respectfully, consistently, and in line with international editorial standards.

6.1. Appeal Process

Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision (e.g., rejection, withdrawal, or ethical concern) may submit a written appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision.

The appeal must:

  • Be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief at editor@jibep.org
  • Clearly state the grounds for appeal, referencing specific aspects of the decision
  • Include supporting evidence (e.g., reviewer comments, correspondence, or additional data)

The Editor-in-Chief will review the appeal, possibly in consultation with an independent editorial board member not previously involved in the decision. A written outcome will be provided within 30 working days.

Appeals may result in one of the following outcomes:

  1. Upholding the original decision
  2. Reconsideration of the manuscript with further review
  3. Reversal of the decision based on new evidence or procedural error

Editorial judgment concerning the quality or scope of a submission normally falls within the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief and is not subject to appeal unless a procedural error or bias is demonstrated.

6.2. Complaints Handling

JIBEP recognises the right of authors, reviewers, and readers to raise complaints relating to:

  • Editorial bias, delay, or unprofessional conduct
  • Breaches of confidentiality during review
  • Alleged research or publication misconduct
  • Post-publication errors or ethical concerns

All complaints should be submitted via email to editor@jibep.org with full details of the issue. The Managing Editor will acknowledge receipt within 5 working days and initiate an investigation, which may involve consultation with the editorial board or COPE guidelines.

6.3. Continuous Improvement

All appeals and complaints are recorded, reviewed periodically, and used to improve JIBEP’s editorial policies and training practices. The journal remains committed to a constructive, evidence-based resolution process that upholds fairness and academic integrity.

7. Corrections, Retractions, and Withdrawal Policy

JIBEP maintains the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record by issuing formal corrections, retractions, or withdrawals whenever necessary. All such actions are conducted transparently, in accordance with COPE Retraction Guidelines, and are permanently linked to the original article via its DOI.

7.1. Corrections Policy

  • Minor errors that do not affect the conclusions of the paper (e.g., typographical mistakes, author affiliation updates, or formatting issues) may be corrected through an Erratum.
  • Substantial errors that could alter interpretation or data accuracy will be addressed through a Corrigendum, clearly describing the changes made.
  • All corrections are dated, citable, and include a cross-link to the original publication.
  • Requests for corrections must be submitted in writing to editor@jibep.org and include supporting documentation.

7.2. Retractions Policy

  • Articles may be retracted when evidence confirms:
    • Plagiarism, data fabrication, or falsification
    • Duplicate publication or redundant submission
    • Unethical research practices or undeclared conflicts of interest
    • Serious methodological flaws invalidating conclusions
  • Retractions are issued only after a formal investigation by the Editorial Board and in consultation with the author(s).
  • A Retraction Notice will be published in place of the article, clearly stating the reason for retraction, and both the notice and original metadata will remain accessible to maintain the scholarly record.
  • Retractions are reported to Crossref and major indexers to ensure accurate citation tracking.

7.3. Withdrawals Policy

  • Authors may request withdrawal before publication if a valid reason is provided (e.g., ethical approval issues, duplicate submission identified).
  • Withdrawal requests must be approved by the Editor-in-Chief and accompanied by written consent from all co-authors.
  • Manuscripts withdrawn after acceptance without legitimate cause may result in suspension of future submissions.
  • The journal reserves the right to withdraw published articles under extraordinary circumstances, such as proven copyright infringement or legal obligation.

7.4. Transparency and Record Keeping

All corrections, retractions, and withdrawals are logged by the editorial office and reviewed annually to identify systemic issues and strengthen editorial oversight. Each action remains freely accessible to readers and permanently indexed for accountability.

8. Policy for Research Misconducts

JIBEP upholds a zero-tolerance stance toward all forms of research and publication misconduct. The journal is committed to safeguarding academic integrity and adheres strictly to the ethical principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO).

Research misconduct includes—but is not limited to—plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, unethical authorship practices, citation manipulation, and suppression of conflicting data.

All allegations are treated seriously, investigated fairly, and resolved transparently.

8.1. Reporting Mechanism

  • Suspected misconduct may be reported by reviewers, editors, readers, or third parties via email to editor@jibep.org.
  • Reports must include sufficient information or evidence for initial assessment.
  • Anonymous reports will be considered if they contain verifiable evidence.

8.2. Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving a report, the Editor-in-Chief conducts an initial screening to determine whether:

  • The allegation has merit,
  • It falls within the journal’s remit, and
  • A formal investigation is warranted.

If the concern involves a conflict of interest, another senior editor will handle the process.

8.3. Investigation Process

When a formal investigation is opened:

  1. The author(s) will be notified in writing and given an opportunity to respond.
  2. Evidence (e.g., similarity reports, reviewer correspondence, data inconsistencies) will be evaluated objectively.
  3. The editorial board may consult COPE flowcharts and, if necessary, the authors’ affiliated institution(s).

The investigation will be completed within 60 working days, unless exceptional circumstances require more time.

8.4. Findings and Outcomes

If misconduct is confirmed, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Rejection of the manuscript or retraction of the published article
  • Publication of a statement of concern
  • Notification to the author’s affiliated institution or funding body
  • Temporary or permanent submission ban for the author(s)
  • Reporting to indexing bodies such as Crossref or COPE

If allegations are unsubstantiated, the case will be closed with written justification, and the manuscript will proceed normally.

8.5. Corrective Actions and Sanctions

All outcomes are recorded in the Editorial Integrity Register maintained by JIBEP. Sanctions are applied proportionately to the severity of the violation and may include article withdrawal, formal warnings, or institutional notification.

8.6. Appeals Process

Authors have the right to appeal findings of misconduct by submitting a written request to the Editor-in-Chief within 30 days of notification. Appeals must include supporting evidence or clarification.
Appeals are reviewed by an independent panel of senior editorial board members not involved in the original investigation. Their decision is final.

9. Editors / Chief Editors Code of Conduct

Editors and members of the editorial board of JIBEP are entrusted with upholding the highest standards of scholarly integrity, impartiality, and transparency. This Code of Conduct outlines the ethical and professional responsibilities of all editors to ensure fairness, consistency, and accountability in the editorial process.

9.1. Impartiality and Fairness

  • Editorial decisions must be based solely on academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to JIBEP’s scope.
  • Manuscripts must be evaluated without regard to race, gender, religion, nationality, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs of the authors.
  • Editors must ensure that all submissions receive an objective and unbiased review under the journal’s double-blind process.

9.2. Confidentiality and Privacy

  • Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents and must not disclose information about submissions to anyone other than the corresponding author, assigned reviewers, or editorial staff directly involved in processing.
  • Unpublished materials or ideas obtained through editorial activities may not be used for personal advantage or shared without explicit written consent from the author(s).

9.3. Editorial Independence

  • The Editor-in-Chief has full authority over the editorial content of JIBEP and the timing of publication of that content.
  • Editorial decisions must not be influenced by commercial interests, institutional pressure, or personal relationships.
  • Sponsorship, partnership, or advertising arrangements (if any) must not compromise editorial integrity.

9.4. Transparency and Accountability

  • Editors must publish corrections, retractions, or clarifications when necessary to maintain the accuracy of the academic record.
  • All potential conflicts of interest must be declared and managed in accordance with JIBEP’s policies.
  • The editorial team is collectively responsible for ensuring that peer review and publication practices align with COPE Core Practices and international ethical standards.

9.5. Ethical Standards and Integrity

  • Editors must ensure that all research published in JIBEP adheres to recognised ethical standards, including approval by institutional ethics committees where applicable.
  • They must actively investigate and address allegations of misconduct, plagiarism, or data falsification following COPE guidelines.
  • Editorial staff are expected to promote a culture of ethical authorship, transparency, and scholarly excellence.

9.6. Continuous Professional Development

Editors are encouraged to participate in regular training and professional development related to academic publishing, peer review ethics, and digital scholarship to maintain high editorial competency and awareness of evolving best practices.

10. Data Availability and Sharing Policy

JIBEP supports open research practices and encourages authors to make data supporting their findings accessible, transparent, and reproducible whenever possible. This policy ensures compliance with international standards for data sharing, ethical research governance, and reproducibility.

10.1. Data Availability Statement

All research manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement at the end of the article, specifying:

  • Whether the data are openly available and where they can be accessed (with repository name and link);
  • Whether access is restricted and why (e.g., privacy, confidentiality, or proprietary constraints); or
  • If no data were generated or analysed beyond what is presented in the article.

Example:

“The data that support the findings of this study are available in [repository name] at [DOI or URL], reference number [xxxxxx].”

10.2. Open Data

Authors are encouraged to deposit datasets, supplementary materials, and statistical code in recognised open repositories such as Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad, or institutional archives. Deposited data should include a persistent identifier (DOI) and appropriate metadata to ensure long-term accessibility.

10.3. Data Sharing Exceptions

JIBEP recognises that unrestricted data sharing may not be appropriate in certain cases, particularly where:

  • The data contain confidential financial or personal information;
  • Disclosure would violate data protection laws (e.g., GDPR);
  • Agreements with third parties or institutions restrict dissemination; or
  • Sensitive religious, legal, or ethical issues are involved.

In such cases, authors must clearly explain the reason for non-disclosure in the Data Availability Statement.

10.4. Data Access Requirements

Authors must retain raw data and research records for at least five years after publication and provide them to the editorial office or authorised third parties upon request for verification of findings, provided confidentiality obligations allow.

10.5. Reproducibility and Validation

Authors are expected to describe their data-collection methods and analytical procedures with sufficient detail to allow replication. When appropriate, peer reviewers may be asked to evaluate the reproducibility of results using shared datasets.

10.6. Compliance Monitoring

The Managing Editor oversees adherence to the Data Availability and Sharing Policy. Non-compliance or misrepresentation of data availability may result in editorial action, including corrections or retraction.

11. Use of Figures, Tables, and Images in Articles

Figures, tables, and images play an essential role in illustrating research findings. JIBEP requires that all visual materials meet high academic, ethical, and technical standards to ensure accuracy, clarity, and full respect for copyright and data integrity.

11.1. Copyright Compliance

Authors are fully responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce any figure, table, image, or diagram that has been previously published or is not their original work.

  • Permissions must cover both print and electronic reuse under the article’s Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0)
  • A formal acknowledgment of the original source and copyright holder must appear in the caption.
  • If the material is under a different license (e.g., CC BY-NC), this must be clearly indicated in the figure caption.

11.2. Originality and Authenticity

All visual elements must be original or legitimately reproduced with permission. Manipulated, fabricated, or misleading images are strictly prohibited and may result in rejection or retraction under JIBEP’s Research Misconduct Policy.

11.3. Clarity and Appropriateness

  • Figures and tables must clearly convey the intended data or concept without distortion.
  • Labels, units, and legends should be legible and consistent with text references.
  • Abbreviations must be defined in the figure or table legend upon first use.

11.4. Ethical Use of Images

  • Images depicting identifiable individuals, financial records, or sensitive case materials must include proof of informed consent and appropriate anonymisation.
  • Authors must ensure that visual representations adhere to ethical research principles, including respect for privacy and data protection laws.

11.5. Quality and Resolution

All figures and images must be of professional quality:

  • Minimum resolution: 300 dpi for photographs and graphs; 600 dpi for line art.
  • Acceptable formats: .jpg, .png, .tif, or .eps.
  • Colours and contrast should be used judiciously to maintain accessibility and visual clarity.

11.6. Consistency and Formatting

Figures and tables should be numbered sequentially (e.g., Figure 1, Table 1) in the order of appearance.
Each must include:

  • A concise, descriptive title;
  • A clearly formatted legend; and
  • Source information, if applicable.
    Tables should appear above their titles; figure captions should appear below the figures.

11.7. Permissions and Citations

When reusing third-party material:

  • Attach written permissions during submission.
  • Provide full citation details in the caption (author, year, source title, and publisher).
  • Clearly indicate if modifications were made (e.g., “Adapted from Smith, 2021”).

Failure to secure or disclose permissions may lead to article rejection or retraction.

12. Plagiarism Policy

JIBEP enforces a zero-tolerance policy on plagiarism and any form of academic dishonesty. Upholding originality is central to the journal’s mission of promoting trustworthy and ethical scholarship in Islamic banking, finance, economics, and policy research.

12.1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of another’s words, ideas, data, or creative expressions as one’s own without proper acknowledgment. This includes:

  • Verbatim copying or close paraphrasing without citation;
  • Reuse of previously published text (self-plagiarism) without disclosure;
  • Use of translated material from another work without reference;
  • Copying of tables, figures, or data without permission;
  • Submission of work produced by third parties (ghostwriting).

All forms of plagiarism are considered serious ethical violations and are handled in accordance with COPE’s flowcharts for suspected plagiarism.

12.2. Plagiarism Screening

  • Every manuscript submitted to JIBEP undergoes plagiarism screening using Turnitin or iThenticate prior to peer review.
  • A similarity index above 15% (excluding references and standard phrases) triggers editorial review.
  • Manuscripts with extensive overlap or unacknowledged reuse will be rejected outright or returned to the author for revision.

12.3. Investigation Procedure

When suspected plagiarism is detected:

  1. The Editor-in-Chief notifies the corresponding author and requests an explanation.
  2. A panel of two senior editorial board members reviews the evidence.
  3. If misconduct is confirmed, the case is documented and acted upon according to the Research Misconduct Policy (Section 8).

12.4. Consequences

Confirmed cases of plagiarism may result in:

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript or retraction of a published article;
  • Notification of the author’s affiliated institution or funding agency;
  • Temporary or permanent submission ban;
  • Public notice of retraction or correction to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

12.5. Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

  • All sources are correctly cited using APA 7th Edition;
  • Proper quotation marks or paraphrasing are applied;
  • Permissions are obtained for any reused material;
  • Co-authors review the manuscript for originality before submission.

Authors should also perform their own plagiarism check before submission to avoid unintentional overlap.

12.6. Education and Prevention

JIBEP promotes awareness of ethical writing practices through author guidelines, editorial feedback, and reviewer training. The journal encourages early-career researchers to develop citation literacy and adopt responsible authorship practices consistent with global academic standards.

13. Peer Review Policy

Peer review is at the heart of JIBEP’s mission to ensure scholarly excellence, integrity, and objectivity. All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process, where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to one another. This process ensures that evaluations are based solely on academic merit, methodological soundness, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

13.1. Review Model and Process

  1. Initial Screening – The editorial office reviews each submission for scope, formatting, originality, and ethical compliance before sending it for peer review.
  2. Reviewer Assignment – Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with subject-matter expertise.
  3. Double-Blind Evaluation – Reviewer and author identities remain concealed throughout the process to prevent bias.
  4. Decision Outcomes – Reviewers recommend one of the following:
    • Accept without changes
    • Accept with minor revisions
    • Revise and resubmit (major revisions)
    • Reject
  5. Editorial Decision – The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the associate editors, makes the final decision based on reviewer reports and the manuscript’s contribution to the field.

13.2. Reviewer Selection Criteria

Reviewers are selected based on:

  • Proven academic or professional expertise in the relevant discipline;
  • Publication history in peer-reviewed journals;
  • Absence of conflicts of interest with the authors or institutions involved.

The editorial board maintains a diverse pool of reviewers to ensure balanced representation across geography, gender, and research perspectives.

13.3. Role of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide constructive, evidence-based, and respectful feedback within the agreed timeframe;
  • Evaluate manuscripts for originality, methodological rigour, ethical compliance, and clarity;
  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all materials reviewed;
  • Declare any potential conflict of interest before accepting the review;
  • Refrain from using or sharing any unpublished content for personal benefit;
  • Notify the editor if they believe the manuscript involves plagiarism, data fabrication, or other ethical concerns.

13.4. Review Timelines

  • Reviewers are normally expected to complete their evaluations within four to six weeks of assignment.
  • Authors will receive the consolidated decision and anonymised reviewer comments promptly thereafter.
  • Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers or assessed internally, depending on the extent of revision required.

13.5. Confidentiality and Data Protection

All manuscripts, reviewer reports, and editorial correspondence are treated as confidential. Reviewer identities are not disclosed to authors or to other reviewers. Data are processed in compliance with applicable data-protection laws (e.g., GDPR).

13.6. Quality Assurance

The Managing Editor monitors reviewer performance, including timeliness and feedback quality, and provides periodic reviewer training aligned with COPE Reviewer Guidelines. Consistently substandard or biased reviews result in removal from the reviewer database.

13.7. Ethical Oversight

The editorial board reserves the right to exclude from consideration any review or recommendation that exhibits evidence of bias, discrimination, or coercive citation behaviour. All review processes are periodically audited to ensure fairness and transparency.

14. Research Ethics Guidelines

JIBEP is committed to upholding the highest standards of research ethics, integrity, and professional conduct. All studies published in the journal must adhere to recognised international ethical frameworks and demonstrate respect for human dignity, social responsibility, and intellectual honesty.

14.1. Objective and Scope

These guidelines apply to all manuscripts submitted to JIBEP, including empirical, theoretical, policy-based, or interdisciplinary research. They cover ethical conduct throughout the research lifecycle—from proposal design and data collection to analysis, authorship, and publication.

14.2. Ethical Guidelines for Authors

Authors must ensure that:

  • Research involving human participants, surveys, or interviews has received prior approval from a recognised institutional ethics committee.
  • Informed consent was obtained from participants, and personal data are anonymised or de-identified in compliance with data-protection laws (e.g., GDPR).
  • Financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest are fully disclosed.
  • The study does not promote discrimination, exploitation, or harm to any individual or community.
  • Islamic ethics, fairness (adl), and social welfare (maslahah) are respected in the design and interpretation of findings.

14.3. Ethical Guidelines for Peer Review

Reviewers must:

  • Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents;
  • Avoid using privileged information for personal or professional gain;
  • Declare any conflicts of interest before accepting review invitations;
  • Provide objective, constructive, and respectful feedback;
  • Report potential ethical breaches (e.g., plagiarism, fabricated data) to the editor immediately.

14.4. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors must:

  • Ensure that all published research complies with national and international ethical standards;
  • Verify that required approvals or ethical statements are included;
  • Address any ethical complaints swiftly and impartially;
  • Uphold COPE Core Practices in cases involving misconduct or corrections;
  • Maintain independence from sponsors or institutions influencing editorial decisions.

14.5. Compliance with Ethical Standards

All submitted manuscripts must include a statement confirming compliance with ethical standards, for example:

“This study was conducted in accordance with institutional and international research ethics guidelines. Ethical approval was obtained from [name of institution, reference number].”

Authors must provide documentation if requested during editorial review.

14.6. Reporting and Investigation of Ethical Concerns

Any concerns about ethical breaches raised before or after publication will be investigated under the Research Misconduct Policy (Section 8). Investigations follow COPE’s recommended flowcharts and may involve contacting the author’s institution or ethics committee for clarification.

14.7. Education and Awareness

JIBEP promotes awareness of research ethics among authors, reviewers, and editors through:

  • Regular dissemination of COPE resources;
  • Reviewer and editor training workshops;
  • Encouraging transparent, reproducible, and ethically responsible research practices.

15. Harassment of Authors, Editors, and JIBEP Team

JIBEP maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment, discrimination, or intimidation in any form. The journal is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and professional environment for all participants in the publication process—authors, reviewers, editors, and administrative staff alike.

15.1. Reporting Mechanism

  • Any individual who experiences or witnesses harassment, bullying, or abusive behaviour related to JIBEP’s editorial activities may report the incident confidentially to editor@jibep.org.
  • Reports may be submitted by the affected party or on behalf of another person, and may include emails, correspondence, or relevant evidence.
  • Complaints can be made anonymously if the information provided allows the editorial board to conduct a fair investigation.

15.2. Investigation Process

  • All reports are acknowledged within five working days and reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor.
  • A preliminary assessment determines whether the allegation falls within JIBEP’s jurisdiction and whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed.
  • Investigations are conducted discreetly, impartially, and in accordance with COPE best practices.
  • Where necessary, independent advisors or external committees may be consulted.

15.3. Support and Protection

  • Individuals reporting harassment will be treated with respect, confidentiality, and protection from retaliation.
  • JIBEP will take immediate measures to ensure that no author, reviewer, or editor faces adverse consequences for raising legitimate concerns.
  • Emotional and professional support resources may be suggested when relevant.

15.4. Disciplinary Actions

Confirmed cases of harassment, discrimination, or unprofessional conduct may result in one or more of the following actions:

  • Written warning or removal from reviewer/editorial roles;
  • Suspension or permanent exclusion from future collaboration with JIBEP;
  • Notification of the offender’s institution or professional body;
  • Public statement of editorial action, where necessary to maintain transparency.

15.5. Awareness and Training

JIBEP promotes a respectful culture through continuous awareness and periodic training for editors and reviewers on:

  • Anti-harassment and anti-bullying standards;
  • Inclusive communication practices;
  • Gender and cultural sensitivity in peer review.

15.6. Transparency and Accountability

All harassment complaints and outcomes are recorded internally and reviewed annually to improve editorial safeguards. The journal publicly reaffirms its commitment to providing a safe, equitable, and inclusive publishing environment for all contributors.

16. Accessibility Policy / Open Access Statement

JIBEP is an open-access, non-commercial scholarly journal committed to ensuring that all published research is freely and permanently available to readers worldwide without subscription, registration, or paywall barriers. The journal actively promotes accessibility, inclusivity, and knowledge equity across all regions and disciplines.

16.1. Open Access Statement

  • All content published in JIBEP is freely available online immediately upon publication, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
  • This license allows anyone to read, copy, distribute, remix, transform, and build upon the published material for any purpose, including commercial use, provided that appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and the source.
  • No prior permission is required from the authors or the publisher for reuse, as long as proper attribution and a link to the license are included.

16.2. Accessibility and Inclusivity

JIBEP is committed to making its digital content accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
To achieve this:

  • The website and published materials follow WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards;
  • PDFs are formatted for screen-reader compatibility;
  • Images and tables include alt text and descriptive captions;
  • The journal’s interface supports multilingual browsing and responsive design for mobile devices.

16.3. Open Access Funding and Sustainability

The journal operates on an author-supported open-access model, where minimal Article Processing Charges (APCs) contribute to publication and hosting costs.
JIBEP reinvests all funds in the maintenance of open-access infrastructure, Crossref DOI assignment, and digital preservation (PKP PN, CLOCKSS, LOCKSS).

16.4. Ethical and Global Accessibility

  • JIBEP ensures that open access extends equitably to researchers in low- and middle-income countries, aligning with the goals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education) and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
  • The journal welcomes authors regardless of institutional affiliation, nationality, or funding availability.

16.5. Accessibility Feedback

Readers encountering accessibility issues are encouraged to contact info@jibep.org with details of the problem. The editorial office will respond promptly to ensure alternative access or correction.

17. Digital Archiving Policy

JIBEP ensures the permanent preservation and accessibility of all published content through a combination of trusted archiving services, persistent identifiers, and repository partnerships. This policy guarantees the integrity and continuity of the journal’s scholarly record, regardless of future technical or organisational changes.

17.1. Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs)

  • Each article published in JIBEP is assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) via Crossref, ensuring a permanent and traceable link to its online location.
  • DOIs remain valid even if the journal’s web address changes, preserving long-term citation stability.
  • Metadata associated with each DOI include author details, title, abstract, publication date, and license information, all deposited with Crossref.

17.2. Archival Practices

To safeguard against data loss, JIBEP participates in recognised international preservation systems, including:

  • PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN) – automatically deposits and archives all journal content using the LOCKSS distributed preservation system.
  • LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) – maintains multiple copies of the journal’s content across participating library nodes worldwide.
  • CLOCKSS (Controlled LOCKSS) – provides an additional layer of secure archiving and ensures open access restoration of content in case of catastrophic data loss.

These systems ensure that all JIBEP publications remain freely accessible and permanently available to the academic community.

17.3. Author Self-Archiving Policy

Authors are fully permitted to deposit their work in institutional, subject, or personal repositories in accordance with JIBEP’s open-access license:

  • Pre-print (submitted version): May be deposited prior to peer review.
  • Post-print (accepted version): May be deposited immediately after acceptance.
  • Version of Record (published PDF): May be deposited upon publication, with a proper citation and DOI link to the official JIBEP version.

All deposited versions must include the following statement:

“This is the Version of Record published in the Journal of Islamic Banking, Economics and Policy (JIBEP), available at [DOI link].”

17.4. Long-Term Preservation Commitment

In line with CLOCKSS Charter principles, JIBEP commits to:

  • Retaining perpetual access to all published material;
  • Ensuring file format migration for long-term readability;
  • Maintaining metadata integrity and accessibility through Crossref and PKP systems.

These measures collectively guarantee that JIBEP’s publications remain citable, verifiable, and permanently preserved within the global digital research ecosystem.

18. Article Processing Charges (APC)

JIBEP operates as an independent, open-access academic journal dedicated to promoting ethical, inclusive, and globally accessible research. To sustain high publishing standards and ensure permanent open access, modest Article Processing Charges (APCs) are applied only after a manuscript has successfully passed peer review and been formally accepted for publication.

18.1. Standard APC

  • The standard APC is £200 for manuscripts up to 15 formatted pages (A4, including tables, figures, and references).
  • This fee covers:
    • Editorial management and double-blind peer review coordination;
    • Copyediting, formatting, and proofreading;
    • DOI registration and Crossref metadata deposition;
    • Online publication, hosting, and long-term archiving via PKP PN, CLOCKSS, and LOCKSS.

18.2. Additional Pages

Manuscripts exceeding 15 pages are subject to an additional fee of £15 per extra page. Authors will be notified of any adjustments before invoicing.

18.3. Discounts for Students

JIBEP supports early-career researchers and offers a 10% discount on the total APC for currently enrolled students. Proof of enrolment (valid student ID or letter of confirmation) must be provided at submission.

18.4. Waiver Policy

While full waivers are not generally available, the journal may consider partial fee reductions for:

  • Authors from low-income countries, as defined by the World Bank;
  • Research addressing sustainability, financial inclusion, or social-justice themes aligned with UN SDGs.
    Requests for reductions must be made at the time of submission and will be evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief on a case-by-case basis.

18.5. Payment and Invoicing

  • Payment is required only after acceptance and prior to final publication.
  • Accepted payment methods include Stripe, PayPal, and direct bank transfer (upon request).
  • Invoices are issued electronically and must be settled within 10 working days of receipt.

18.6. Refund Policy

APCs are non-refundable once publication preparation has commenced. However, refunds or partial refunds may be granted in the following exceptional cases:

  • Duplicate payments due to system error;
  • Administrative desk rejection before peer review begins;
  • Author withdrawal within 48 hours of submission, prior to reviewer assignment.
    All refund requests must be sent in writing to editor@jibep.org with relevant payment documentation.

18.7. Ethical and Financial Transparency

JIBEP’s APC structure is designed solely to recover operational costs and maintain editorial independence.
No revenue is distributed to individuals; all funds are reinvested into:

  • Enhancing peer-review infrastructure;
  • Supporting digital preservation; and
  • Expanding accessibility for under-represented scholars.

19. Copyrights and Permissions

JIBEP recognises authors as the primary owners of their intellectual work and promotes an author-empowered approach to open-access publishing. All content published in the Journal of Islamic Banking, Economics and Policy is protected under international copyright law and licensed for public use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

19.1. Copyright Ownership

  • Authors retain full copyright ownership of their published works.
  • Upon acceptance, authors grant JIBEP a non-exclusive license to publish, archive, and distribute the article in all formats and media.
  • The license allows the journal to preserve and promote the article through indexing services, repositories, and academic databases.
  • Authors remain free to:
    • Share their published work on any platform (personal, institutional, or public);
    • Reuse content for teaching, conference presentations, or future research;
    • Include their article in future books or compilations, provided proper citation is given to the JIBEP version.

19.2. Creative Commons License (CC BY 4.0)

All published articles are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits:

  • Copying and redistribution of the material in any medium or format;
  • Remixing, transforming, and building upon the work for any purpose, including commercial use;

Provided that:

  • Appropriate credit is given to the original author(s) and JIBEP;
  • A link to the license is provided; and
  • Indication of any changes made is clearly stated.

No additional permission is required for reuse, provided these conditions are met.
Full license details are available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

19.3. Use of Third-Party Material

  • Authors must obtain written permission for any third-party content (figures, tables, or excerpts) included in their manuscripts that is not covered under CC BY 4.0 or in the public domain.
  • Permissions must explicitly allow reuse under open-access conditions.
  • Authors are responsible for providing proof of permission during submission.
  • Each reused item must be accompanied by a clear source citation and a statement such as:

“Reproduced with permission from [source]. Copyright © [year] [publisher/author].”

19.4. Promoting Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

By adopting the CC BY 4.0 license, JIBEP aims to:

  • Facilitate global knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration;
  • Encourage reuse and citation of published work in both academic and professional settings;
  • Support ethical innovation in Islamic finance, economics, and policy research.

19.5. Licensing Declaration in Published Articles

Each published paper will include the following statement in both its HTML and PDF formats:

“This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).”

20. Registration of Trials and Systematic Reviews

While JIBEP primarily publishes research in Islamic banking, finance, economics, and policy, the journal recognises the importance of transparency and reproducibility across all disciplines. Accordingly, studies that involve systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or human-subject trials must follow international registration and reporting standards.

20.1. Trial Registration

  • Any submission reporting clinical or experimental trials involving human participants (including financial-behavioural or social-policy interventions) must provide evidence of prior registration in a recognised public registry such as:
    • gov
    • ISRCTN Registry
    • WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP)
  • The trial registration number and registry name must be included in both the abstract and methods section of the manuscript.
  • Submissions lacking registration information may be returned to the author for clarification before peer review.

20.2. Systematic Reviews Registration

  • Authors conducting systematic reviews or meta-analyses are strongly encouraged to register their study protocol with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) or an equivalent database before data collection begins.
  • The registration identifier should be clearly cited within the article to promote transparency and prevent duplication.
  • Authors must follow the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines when preparing manuscripts to ensure methodological consistency and reporting accuracy.

20.3. Ethical Compliance

All trial and review submissions must demonstrate:

  • Compliance with applicable institutional and national research ethics approvals;
  • Documentation of informed consent for participant data (if relevant);
  • Transparency regarding funding sources, sponsorships, or potential conflicts of interest.

20.4. Exceptions

For theoretical or policy-based papers that do not involve human participants, registration is not required. However, authors are encouraged to include a statement clarifying that:

“This research did not involve human subjects and was therefore not subject to clinical or systematic review registration requirements.”

This policy ensures that JIBEP aligns with global best practices for research transparency, enabling the journal’s continued eligibility for multidisciplinary indexing and academic integrity standards.

21. Subscription Policy

JIBEP is a fully open-access journal. The journal does not operate on a subscription or paywall-based model and does not charge readers, libraries, or institutions for access to its published content. All articles are freely available to the public upon publication and may be accessed, downloaded, and shared without restriction.

21.1. Terms and Conditions

  • All issues and articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), allowing users to read, copy, distribute, or reuse content freely with proper attribution to the author(s) and source.
  • There are no embargo periods for accessing published articles.
  • The journal does not offer or require print subscriptions; all content is distributed digitally via the official JIBEP website and affiliated repositories.
  • JIBEP does not sell institutional packages or commercial access models.

21.2. Institutional and Library Access

  • Libraries and institutions are encouraged to include JIBEP in their electronic collections without any licensing or access restrictions.
  • OAI-PMH (Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting) is supported, enabling automatic indexing by repositories and academic databases.
  • The journal’s metadata and content can be freely harvested and linked in catalogues, discovery systems, and databases for educational and research purposes.

21.3. Ethical and Open Access Commitment

JIBEP’s open-access policy aligns with the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) and the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge, ensuring:

  • Universal access to scholarly research;
  • No financial, technical, or legal barriers for readers;
  • Long-term preservation of academic knowledge through open infrastructure and digital archiving.

By removing subscription restrictions, JIBEP supports equitable dissemination of research in Islamic banking, economics, and policy for the benefit of the global academic community.

22. Advertisement Policy

JIBEP maintains a strict policy of editorial independence and integrity. The journal does not allow any form of commercial advertising, sponsorship, or promotional content that could influence editorial decisions or compromise the neutrality of its publications.

22.1. Non-Commercial Orientation

  • JIBEP is a non-profit academic journal published under the Islamic Finance Review (IFR) platform and operates solely for educational and scholarly purposes.
  • The journal’s revenue model is limited to Article Processing Charges (APCs), which are transparently disclosed and reinvested entirely in publishing and archiving operations.
  • No advertisements or commercial endorsements are accepted on the JIBEP website, within published articles, or in any related media.

22.2. Editorial Independence

  • The Editor-in-Chief and editorial board retain full control over all editorial content and decision-making.
  • The acceptance or rejection of manuscripts is based strictly on academic merit, relevance, and peer-review outcomes, never on financial or institutional influence.
  • No external organisation, sponsor, or partner may dictate or influence publication content.

22.3. Sponsorship and Acknowledgment

  • If JIBEP enters into non-commercial collaborations (e.g., academic partnerships, conferences, or special issues), such relationships will be disclosed transparently on the journal’s website and within the relevant issue.
  • Any sponsored or funded content must undergo the same peer-review and editorial scrutiny as regular submissions.
  • Sponsors are not permitted to interfere in editorial decisions or article selection.

22.4. Third-Party Links and Promotions

  • The JIBEP website may include outbound links to academic partners, indexing services, or research organisations for informational purposes only.
  • Such links are not advertisements and do not imply endorsement of any product, service, or entity.
  • The journal does not engage in promotional activities for external companies or financial institutions.

22.5. Ethical Assurance

This policy ensures that all published content in JIBEP remains free from commercial influence and adheres to global standards of transparency, neutrality, and ethical publishing as defined by COPE, OASPA, and DOAJ.