Publication Policy
DEDICA (Journal of Research and Community Service) is committed to publishing high-quality, original, and impactful scholarly works that contribute to the advancement of science, technology, and community empowerment. The journal applies transparent, ethical, and internationally recognized publishing standards to ensure the integrity and quality of every published article. This publication policy serves as a guideline for authors, editors, reviewers, and readers regarding the editorial and publication processes of the journal.
1. Scope of Publication
DEDICA publishes original articles reporting research findings and community service activities that have not been previously published or submitted simultaneously to another journal. The journal welcomes multidisciplinary contributions in areas including, but not limited to, education, community engagement and empowerment, social sciences and humanities, Islamic studies, Islamic economics and finance, digital transformation and technology, business and entrepreneurship, public health, environmental sustainability, agriculture and rural development, law and public policy, and research innovation.
2. Originality and Novelty
Submitted manuscripts must present original work and demonstrate a clear contribution to the advancement of knowledge or professional practice. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are free from plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and other forms of academic misconduct. Every submission should include sufficient novelty, either through theoretical development, methodological innovation, practical implementation, or significant empirical findings.
3. Peer Review Process
All manuscripts submitted to DEDICA undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process, in which both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process. Each manuscript is initially evaluated by the editorial team to determine its suitability with the journal's aims, scope, and submission requirements. Manuscripts that pass the preliminary evaluation are reviewed by at least two independent experts in the relevant field. Editorial decisions are based on reviewers' recommendations, scientific merit, originality, methodological quality, clarity of presentation, and relevance to the journal.
4. Editorial Decision
Based on the peer-review process, the Editor-in-Chief may decide to:
Ø Accept the manuscript without revision.
Ø Accept the manuscript after minor revisions.
Ø Request major revisions and resubmission for further review.
Ø Reject the manuscript if it does not meet the journal's scientific or ethical standards.
The Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to make the final publication decision after considering reviewers' comments and editorial evaluation.
5. Open Access Policy
DEDICA adopts a fully open access publishing model, providing immediate and unrestricted access to all published articles. Readers are permitted to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, and link to the full texts of articles without financial, legal, or technical barriers, provided that appropriate credit is given to the original authors and source.
6. Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain the copyright of their published work while granting DEDICA the right to publish and disseminate the article. Unless otherwise stated, articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing unrestricted use, distribution, adaptation, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
7. Plagiarism Screening
All submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software before entering the peer-review process. Manuscripts containing significant textual similarity, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or other forms of unethical publication practices may be rejected immediately or returned to the authors for clarification or revision. The journal follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in handling plagiarism cases.
8. Publication Frequency
DEDICA is published twice a year, with issues released in June and December. Articles are published according to the editorial schedule after successfully completing the review, revision, copyediting, proofreading, and production processes.
9. Article Processing Charges
The journal may charge an Article Processing Charge (APC) or publication fee to support editorial management, peer review, production, and online publication. Information regarding publication fees, if applicable, is clearly stated on the journal website. Editorial decisions are made solely on scientific quality and are never influenced by the payment of publication fees.
10. Archiving Policy
To ensure long-term preservation and accessibility, DEDICA maintains permanent digital archives of all published articles through the journal's online publishing system and other recognized digital preservation services where applicable. Published articles remain permanently accessible to readers.
11. Corrections and Retractions
The journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy of the scholarly record. When significant errors or ethical violations are identified after publication, DEDICA may publish corrections, errata, expressions of concern, or retract articles in accordance with COPE guidelines. Retraction notices will clearly state the reasons for retraction while preserving the integrity of the scholarly record.
12. Research Ethics
Research involving human participants, animals, personal data, or other sensitive materials must comply with applicable ethical standards and obtain approval from an authorized ethics committee when required. Authors are expected to include statements regarding ethical approval and informed consent within their manuscripts where appropriate.
13. Conflict of Interest
Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, professional, or personal relationships that could influence the objectivity of the publication process. Any identified conflicts of interest will be managed appropriately to ensure fairness, transparency, and impartiality.
14. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
DEDICA recognizes the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in scholarly writing. AI tools may be used only to assist with language editing, grammar checking, formatting, or improving readability. Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, interpretation, and integrity of all submitted content. AI systems cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. Authors should disclose the use of AI tools when their contribution significantly influences the preparation of the manuscript.
15. Commitment to Publication Quality
DEDICA continuously strives to improve the quality of its editorial management and publication standards by adhering to international best practices in scholarly publishing. The journal encourages responsible research, ethical publication practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful scholarship that contributes to scientific advancement and sustainable community development at the local, national, and international levels.
