Editorial Policies

Focus and Scope

The aim of the Al Hikmah: Journal of Education, (P ISSN: 2723-0058, E ISSN: 2775-3697) is to provide an international forum for the sharing, dissemination and discussion of research, experience and perspectives across a wide range of education and teaching.
The focus and scope of AHJE include the following topics is a multi-disciplinary, peer-refereed open-access international journal that has been established for the dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of education, teaching, development, instruction, educational projects and innovations, learning methodologies and new technologies in education and learning.

 

Section Policies

Articles

Checked Open Submissions Checked Indexed Checked Peer Reviewed
 

Peer Review Process

This journal operates a conventional double-blind reviewing policy in which the reviewer's name is always concealed from the submitting author.

Authors should present their papers honestly without fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or inappropriate data manipulation. Submitted papers are evaluated by anonymous referees for contribution, originality, relevance, and presentation.

Papers will be sent for anonymous review by at least two (2) reviewers who will either be members of the Editorial Board or others of similar standing in the field.

In order to shorten the review process and respond quickly to authors, the Editors may triage a submission and come to a decision without sending the paper for external review.

The Editor shall inform you of the results of the review as soon as possible, hopefully in 8-12 weeks.

The Editors decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into concerning manuscripts considered unsuitable for publication in this journal.

All correspondence, including notification of the Editors’ decision and requests for revisions, will be sent by email.

 

Publication Frequency

The Al Hikmah: Journal of Education is published twice a year (June and December). Each issue number (issue) amounts to at least five (5) article titles.

 

Open Access Policy

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

 

Publication Ethic

Publication of articles in peer review journals is an important model for our journals. It is necessary to agree on the expected ethical standards of conduct for all parties involved in the act of publishing: authors, journal editors, bestarial partners and publishers.

Publication Decision

The editor is responsible for deciding which articles submitted to the journal should be published or not. Editor refers to the editorial board of the journal policy and is limited by legal provisions, such as defamation, copyright infringement and plagiarism. The editor can talk to other editors or reviewers in making this decision.

Fair Play

Editors in evaluating script content based on their intellectual views irrespective of race, sex, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship or political philosophy of the author.

Confidentiality

The editor and any editorial staff should not disclose any information about the manuscript to anyone other than the author, best partner or reviewer, other editorial advisors, and publishers.

Any manuscript received by a reviewer or a bestari partner shall be treated as a confidential document. They may not be displayed or discussed with others except as authorized by the editors.

Conflict of Interest

Unpublished material in a submitted manuscript should not be used in the research editors themselves without the written consent of the author.

Confidential information or ideas obtained through peer review should be kept confidential and not used for personal gain. Reviewers should not consider scripts in which they have a competitive, collaborative, or other conflict of interest with any of the authors, companies, or institutions associated with the paper.

The reviewer's job

Provide feedback on Editorial team decisions

Peer review helps editors in making editorial decisions and through editorial communications with authors can also assist authors in improving the articles they create.

Speed

Each selected partner who feels qualified to review the manuscript provided by the editor or out of his or her intellectual competence must immediately refuse and not conduct the review process.

Standards of Objectivity

The review process should be done objectively. The writer's personal criticism is inappropriate. Reviewers must provide their views clearly and accompanied by supporting arguments.

Source Statement

Reviewers shall identify other relevant works that have not been quoted by the author. Any statement which results from observations, derivations, or arguments previously reported shall be accompanied by relevant quotations. The best partner or reviewer should also consider the substantial similarity or overlap between the text being considered and other published papers.

Appropriate recognition of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of their research.

 Author's Duties

Reporting Standards

The author of the original research report must present an accurate report of the research and study conducted. The data taken should be accurately written in the research report. Manuscript A should be detailed and have sufficient referrals to enable others to refer well. A fraudulent or intentionally inaccurate report is unethical and unacceptable behavior.

Originality and Plagiarism

The authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works, and if the authors have used the work and / or words of others then they shall mengukitnya correctly according to the rules.

A writer should not publish a script that describes essentially the same research in more than one major journal or publication. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently is unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

Script Authorship

Authors should be limited to those who have contributed significantly to the conception, design, implementation, or interpretation of reported research. All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors. Where others have participated in certain substantive aspects of a research project, they must be recognized or registered as contributors.

Suitable authors should ensure that all appropriate co-authors and other authors are included in the manuscript, and all authors must have seen and approved the final version of the manuscript and have agreed to be published.

Hazard and Human or Animal Subject

If the work involves chemicals, procedures or equipment that have an unusual danger inherent in their use, the author must clearly identify this in the manuscript.

A fundamental mistake in published works

When an author discovers significant errors or inaccuracies in his / her own published work, it is the duty of the authors to promptly notify the journal or publisher editors and work closely with editors to retract or correct the manuscript.

 

Plagiarism Check

Al Hikmah uses the Turnitin tool to check plagiarism. maximum plagiarism 20%.

 

Generative AI Policies

Policy on the use of Gen AI for Author, Editor and Reveiwer:

This policy outlines the journal's stance on the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence {AI} and AI-assisted technologies in the preparation of manuscripts submitted for publication. This policy aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the scientific record.

1. Authorship and Accountability

AI cannot be an Author: AI tools and AI-assisted technologies {e.g., Large Language Models, Generative AI} do not meet the criteria for authorship as they cannot take responsibility for the content, integrity, or originality of the work. Therefore, AI tools or software cannot be listed as authors on any submitted manuscript.

Authors' Full Responsibility: Authors remain fully responsible and accountable for the entire content of their submitted manuscript, including any parts generated, edited, or enhanced by AI tools. This includes the accuracy, integrity, originality, and ethical soundness of the work. Authors must verify the factual correctness of any statements, citations, data, or figures generated by AI.

Human Oversight Required: The use of AI tools must be under direct human supervision. Authors must critically evaluate, edit, and revise any material generated by AI to ensure it aligns with scientific standards, accuracy, and ethical guidelines.

2. Transparency and Disclosure

Mandatory Disclosure: Authors are required to disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in the preparation of their manuscript. This disclosure must be explicit, specific, and transparent.

What to Disclose: The disclosure should include:

The name of the AI tool{s} used: e.g., ChatGPT {OpenAI}, Bard {Google}, Grammarly, GPT-4, Midjourney, etc.

The specific purpose{s} for which the AI tool was used: e.g., language refinement, grammar check, drafting of specific sections {specify which sections}, brainstorming, data analysis assistance, image generation, etc.

The extent of AI involvement: A brief description of how the AI tool contributed to the manuscript.

Where to Disclose: This disclosure should typically be included in one of the following sections:

Acknowledgements section: {Preferred for general writing assistance}

Methods section: {If AI was used for specific methodological steps, e.g., data analysis or coding assistance}

A dedicated "Declaration of AI Use" statement just before the References section or in a footnote on the title page.

Example Disclosure Statement: "Portions of this manuscript were drafted/edited/enhanced using [Name of AI tool, e.g., ChatGPT-4 {OpenAI}]. The authors used this tool for [specific purpose, e.g., improving grammar and clarity/drafting an initial version of the Introduction section]. All content generated by the AI was thoroughly reviewed, edited, and validated by the authors, who take full responsibility for the final content." Or for image generation: "Figure X was generated with the assistance of [Name of AI tool, e.g., Midjourney v5]. The authors provided the prompts and edited the output to ensure accuracy and relevance."

3. Permissible Uses {with Disclosure}

AI tools may be used to assist authors in the following ways, provided full disclosure is made:

Language and Grammar Refinement: Improving readability, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.

Drafting Support: Assisting in the generation of initial drafts of specific, non-research-critical sections {e.g., parts of the Introduction or Discussion for stylistic purposes}, which must then be thoroughly reviewed and revised by the authors.

Brainstorming and Idea Generation: Assisting in conceptualizing ideas or outlining the structure of the manuscript.

Data Analysis and Visualization Assistance: {Only if verified and reproducible by human authors}. If AI is used in data processing, analysis, or generating figures/tables, the specific methods, tools, and validation steps must be clearly described in the Methods section.

Summarization of Literature: Aiding in summarizing existing literature, but the authors must ensure the accuracy of the summary and proper citation of original sources.

4. Prohibited Uses

The use of AI and AI-assisted technologies is strictly prohibited for:

Generating Fictitious Content: Creating false data, fabricated research results, or non-existent references/citations.

Plagiarism: Using AI-generated content without proper attribution {i.e., treating it as original work when it is not fully human-generated or verified}. All AI-generated content must be treated as any other source and properly attributed if it relies on existing intellectual property or specific datasets.

Substituting for Human Intellectual Contribution: AI cannot perform the core intellectual work of research, such as formulating original hypotheses, designing experiments, interpreting novel findings, or drawing original conclusions.

Violating Confidentiality: Reviewers and editors are strictly prohibited from using AI tools with confidential manuscript content {e.g., uploading the manuscript to publicly available AI models}, as this may breach confidentiality, copyright, and the integrity of the peer-review process.

Misrepresenting Research: Using AI to intentionally mislead readers about the methods, results, or conclusions of the research.

5. Consequences of Misuse

Failure to adhere to this policy regarding the ethical use of AI and AI-assisted technologies will be considered a serious breach of publication ethics. Such breaches may result in:

Rejection of the submitted manuscript.

Retraction of the published article.

Banning of the author{s} from future submissions to the journal.

 

Notification to the authors' institution and relevant ethics committees.

This policy will be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect advancements in AI technology and evolving ethical guidelines in scholarly publishing.

 

Post Publication Discussion

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education encourages constructive scholarly discussion, critical evaluation, and the exchange of perspectives on articles published in the journal. Post-publication discussion allows readers and researchers to raise questions, identify potential errors, and present alternative interpretations of published research. In accordance with COPE guidance on post-publication discussion, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education provides opportunities for scholarly debate and maintains procedures for correcting, revising, or retracting published articles when necessary.

1. Scope of Post-Publication Discussion

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education welcomes scholarly comments, letters to the editor, critiques, and responses that contribute meaningfully to the discussion of previously published articles. Submissions may address research methods, data interpretation, analytical approaches, conclusions, or other issues relevant to the validity and scholarly contribution of the published work.

The editorial team will assess whether a critique is relevant, evidence-based, and focused on the scholarly content of the article. Submissions containing personal attacks, unsupported allegations, or potentially defamatory statements may be rejected. This process is informed by COPE guidance on handling post-publication critiques.

2. Submission of Comments and Critiques

Readers and researchers wishing to submit comments or critiques should contact the Al Hikmah: Journal of Education editorial office through the official contact information available on the Al Hikmah: Journal of Education website. Submissions should identify the article concerned, explain the issues clearly, and provide supporting evidence or relevant references where appropriate.

All submissions must use professional language and focus on the academic content of the published work. The journal will evaluate each submission and determine whether it merits editorial consideration, revision, or further expert assessment, with reference to COPE guidance on post-publication critiques.

3. Editorial Assessment

The editor-in-chief or a designated editor will assess each submission independently. Depending on the nature and complexity of the issue, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may consult subject experts or request independent peer review before making a decision.

The assessment will consider the relevance of the critique, the quality of its supporting evidence, its scholarly contribution, and whether the concerns require a response from the original authors or further investigation. The journal may request clarification or revisions before deciding whether to publish a critique.

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will apply a fair and transparent editorial process when handling critiques and responses, following the principles described in COPE's guidance on post-publication discussion.

4. Right of Reply

When a critique is considered suitable for publication, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will normally invite the author or authors of the original article to respond to the substantive concerns raised. The response should address the issues directly and provide relevant evidence or scholarly reasoning where appropriate.

The critique and the authors' response may be published together or separately, depending on editorial considerations and the journal's publication workflow. Both submissions may be subject to editorial assessment or peer review.

If the original authors do not respond within a reasonable period, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may proceed with consideration of the critique and, where appropriate, indicate that a response was invited but not received. The journal will consider the circumstances fairly and follow relevant COPE guidance on handling post-publication critiques and responses.

5. Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

If post-publication discussion identifies a possible error or raises a serious concern about the reliability or integrity of a published article, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will assess the available evidence and determine whether further action is required. Depending on the circumstances, the journal may publish a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction.

A correction may be appropriate when an error can be rectified without invalidating the article's overall findings. An expression of concern may be considered when significant questions remain unresolved and readers need to be informed while the matter is investigated. Retraction may be warranted when the findings are unreliable or other serious circumstances undermine the integrity of the published work.

These decisions will take account of COPE guidance on retractions, which addresses circumstances in which retraction should be considered and the importance of clearly explaining the reasons for a retraction.

Where necessary, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may contact the authors' institutions or other appropriate authorities to clarify concerns about research integrity. The journal will base its decisions on the available evidence and document the rationale for significant editorial actions.

6. Publication and Accessibility

Accepted critiques, commentaries, and author responses may be published on the Al Hikmah: Journal of Education website in accordance with the journal's editorial policies. Where a correction, expression of concern, or retraction is issued, the notice should clearly identify the original article and explain the reason for the action.

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will maintain links between the original article and any related correction or retraction notice wherever possible, so readers can identify the article's current status. This approach is consistent with COPE guidance on corrections and retractions and supports transparency in maintaining the scholarly record.

7. Ethical Responsibilities

All participants in post-publication discussion are expected to communicate honestly, provide accurate information, respect scholarly standards, and avoid misrepresenting the work of others. Authors responding to critiques should address substantive concerns professionally, while critics should support their claims with appropriate evidence.

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will handle post-publication discussions fairly and impartially. The journal will distinguish evidence-based scholarly criticism from personal disputes and take appropriate steps to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

This policy is informed by COPE guidance on post-publication discussion and COPE guidance on publication ethics and transparency. Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may review and update this policy when necessary to maintain responsible editorial practices and the integrity of published research.

 

 

Correction Retraction & Withdrawal

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the scholarly record. The journal follows the publication ethics principles outlined in the COPE Core Practices, particularly those concerning post-publication discussions and corrections.

 

1. Correction

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may publish a correction when an error is identified in a published article that affects its accuracy or clarity but does not invalidate its main findings or conclusions. Errors may be reported by authors, readers, or other relevant parties. The editorial team will assess each case and may consult the authors or independent experts when necessary, following the principles outlined in COPE's publication ethics guidance.

An approved correction will be published as a separate notice that identifies the affected article, explains the correction, and links to the original publication. The notice will be accessible to readers to ensure transparency and preserve the integrity of the scholarly record, consistent with COPE's Core Practices.

 

2. Retraction

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may retract a published article when reliable evidence indicates that its findings are unreliable or that serious publication ethics violations have occurred. Grounds for retraction may include plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, substantial errors that invalidate the findings, duplicate publication, unethical research practices, or other misconduct that compromises the integrity of the publication. Such cases will be assessed with reference to COPE's publication ethics guidance and the COPE Core Practices.

Retraction decisions will be made by the Editor-in-Chief or the authorized editorial team after an impartial assessment of the available evidence. Authors will normally be given an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised. Where appropriate, the journal may seek further information from the authors' institutions or other relevant organizations before reaching a decision.

A retraction notice will clearly identify the article, explain the reason for retraction, and link to the original publication. Where technically possible, the original article will remain accessible but will be prominently marked as retracted. This approach supports transparency and the integrity of the scholarly record, consistent with the principles in COPE's Core Practices.

 

3. Withdrawal

Authors who wish to withdraw a manuscript before publication must submit a written request to the Al Hikmah: Journal of Education editorial office, explaining the reasons for withdrawal. The editorial team will review the request, verify its legitimacy, and confirm the manuscript's status before issuing a decision. This is an editorial procedure established by Al Hikmah: Journal of Education to support transparent journal management.

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to another journal while it remains under consideration by Al Hikmah: Journal of Education. They must obtain formal confirmation of withdrawal before submitting the manuscript elsewhere. If the request involves an authorship dispute, suspected misconduct, or another unresolved ethical concern, the journal may suspend the withdrawal process while the matter is assessed in accordance with its publication ethics policies and relevant COPE guidance.

Once an article has been formally published, it cannot ordinarily be withdrawn as a routine manuscript withdrawal. Any concerns arising after publication will be assessed under the correction or retraction procedures, as appropriate, to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record, consistent with the principles described in COPE's Core Practices.

 

4. Editorial Responsibility

All decisions concerning corrections, retractions, and withdrawals will be handled objectively, consistently, and transparently. Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will consider the available evidence, provide relevant parties with an appropriate opportunity to respond, and maintain records of editorial assessments and decisions. These procedures reflect the principles of accountability and publication record integrity described in COPE's Core Practices.

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may publish a correction, retraction notice, or other appropriate editorial notice when necessary to inform readers about significant changes to the accuracy, reliability, or status of a published article. Such notices will be clearly written and linked to the relevant publication so readers can identify and understand changes to the scholarly record.

 

 

Allegation of Research Misconduct

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education is committed to maintaining the integrity, reliability, and ethical standards of scholarly publishing. The journal takes allegations of research misconduct seriously and assesses all concerns fairly, objectively, and confidentially, following applicable publication ethics principles and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Definition of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to, fabrication or falsification of research data, plagiarism, inappropriate manipulation of images or research results, unethical research practices, undisclosed conflicts of interest, authorship misconduct, and other actions that may compromise the integrity or reliability of scholarly work.

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education assesses suspected misconduct according to the nature of the allegation and the available evidence. The journal refers to the COPE Guidelines on Cooperation between Research Institutions and Journals on Research Integrity and Publication Misconduct Cases when considering communication and cooperation with relevant research institutions.

2. Reporting Allegations

Authors, reviewers, readers, editors, institutions, and other concerned parties may report suspected research misconduct involving manuscripts submitted to or articles published in Al Hikmah: Journal of Education. Reports should provide a clear description of the concern and, where possible, supporting documentation or other relevant evidence.

Allegations should be submitted to the journal’s editorial team through the official contact details provided on the Al Hikmah: Journal of Education. The journal encourages good-faith reporting and does not consider an allegation alone sufficient proof that misconduct has occurred.

3. Initial Assessment and Investigation

Upon receiving an allegation, the editor-in-chief or an authorized editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal’s responsibilities and whether sufficient information is available to proceed. Additional information or evidence may be requested from the person reporting the concern.

The journal will evaluate the available evidence objectively and may seek advice from qualified experts or independent reviewers where appropriate. In cases involving suspected fabricated data, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will follow the relevant steps in the COPE Flowchart: Fabricated Data in a Submitted Manuscript, including requesting an explanation from the author and considering referral to the author's institution when necessary.

The author concerned will normally be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and provide relevant explanations or supporting materials. The journal will avoid making premature conclusions and will consider the response alongside the evidence available.

4. Cooperation with Research Institutions

Where an allegation requires formal investigation beyond the journal’s remit, or where the evidence raises serious concerns about research integrity, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may contact the author's institution, employer, research integrity office, funder, or another appropriate authority. The journal may share relevant evidence and request information about the outcome of an institutional investigation, subject to applicable confidentiality and legal requirements.

This approach follows the COPE guidance on cooperation between research institutions and journals, which addresses the responsibilities of journals and institutions in communicating concerns, sharing relevant evidence, and responding to findings that may affect the integrity of published research.

If the institution does not respond or the matter remains unresolved, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may send follow-up requests or consider contacting another appropriate authority, depending on the seriousness of the concern and the information available. The journal will not claim to have established misconduct solely because an institution or author has not responded.

5. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will handle allegations and supporting evidence confidentially to the extent possible and will disclose information only to individuals or organizations who need it to assess or investigate the concern, subject to applicable legal and ethical obligations.

The journal will seek to protect the rights and reputations of all parties involved, including the person raising the concern and the person or persons subject to the allegation. Communications will be factual, impartial, and proportionate to the circumstances.

This approach is consistent with the COPE guidance on research integrity and publication misconduct, which emphasizes appropriate cooperation and careful communication between journals and institutions during misconduct investigations.

6. Actions and Outcomes

Depending on the findings and the stage of publication, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may take one or more of the following actions: request clarification or additional evidence; suspend the peer-review or editorial process while a serious concern is assessed; reject a manuscript; request corrections to an article; publish an expression of concern; retract a published article; or notify the relevant institution or authority.

Any action will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the concern and based on the evidence available. For suspected ethical problems in submitted manuscripts, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may refer to the COPE Flowchart: Suspected Ethical Problem in a Submitted Manuscript, which outlines steps such as requesting relevant information, suspending review when appropriate, and referring unresolved concerns to the relevant institution.

Where an allegation concerning a published article raises substantial concerns about the reliability or integrity of the scholarly record, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will assess whether a correction, expression of concern, or retraction is necessary in accordance with the journal’s applicable policies and relevant publication ethics guidance.

7. Allegations Against Editors or Reviewers

Allegations of research or publication misconduct involving Al Hikmah: Journal of Education editors, reviewers, or other individuals participating in the editorial process will be assessed impartially. Where a person involved in the allegation has a conflict of interest, that person will not lead the assessment or determine the outcome.

When necessary, Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may refer the matter to an independent editor, the relevant institution, the publisher, or another appropriate authority to support a fair and independent assessment.

8. Good-Faith Reporting and False Allegations

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education encourages concerns to be reported in good faith and supported by accurate information wherever possible. A report that cannot be substantiated will not automatically be treated as a false allegation.

Knowingly submitting fabricated evidence or deliberately making a malicious allegation may itself be referred for appropriate consideration. The journal will distinguish between a good-faith concern that is not confirmed and an allegation shown to have been made dishonestly.

9. Records and Follow-Up

Al Hikmah: Journal of Education will maintain appropriate records of reported concerns, communications, evidence considered, decisions, and actions taken, subject to applicable confidentiality and data protection requirements. The journal may follow up with relevant parties or institutions when further information is needed to resolve the matter or determine whether action concerning a published article is required.

The journal’s objective is to address allegations responsibly, support appropriate investigations, and protect the integrity of the scholarly record. Al Hikmah: Journal of Education may revise this policy when necessary to reflect developments in publication ethics and applicable guidance from COPE.