The International Journal of Virtual Reality (IJVR) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. This statement is aligned with the principles and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and applies to all parties involved in the publishing process: authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

1. Duties of Editors

Editors at IJVR are accountable for all content published in the journal and are responsible for ensuring the quality, integrity, and ethical standards of the publication.

Editors shall:

• Make publication decisions based exclusively on the academic merit, originality, and relevance of manuscripts.

• Ensure a fair, unbiased, and timely peer review process.

• Safeguard editorial independence from commercial or institutional influence.

• Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and related communications.

• Identify and manage conflicts of interest.

• Follow COPE guidelines when ethical complaints or allegations of misconduct arise.

2. Duties of Reviewers

Peer reviewers contribute to editorial decision-making and help improve the quality of submitted manuscripts.

Reviewers are expected to:

• Conduct reviews objectively, constructively, and within agreed timelines.

• Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents.

• Declare any conflicts of interest and withdraw from review when necessary.

• Refrain from using unpublished material for personal or professional advantage.

• Alert editors to any suspected ethical issues, including plagiarism or redundant publication.

3. Duties of Authors

Authors submitting to IJVR must adhere to ethical research and reporting standards.

Authors are responsible for:

• Submitting original work that has not been published previously or submitted elsewhere.

• Accurately presenting research data and methods, without fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting.

• Properly citing all sources and acknowledging the contributions of others.

• Ensuring appropriate authorship, with all listed authors having made significant contributions and approving the final manuscript.

• Disclosing all financial support and any potential competing interests.

• Promptly notifying the journal of significant errors discovered after publication and cooperating in issuing corrections or retractions when required.

4. Ethical Oversight and Research Integrity

IJVR supports ethical oversight of research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data. Authors must confirm compliance with relevant ethical standards, institutional approvals, and informed consent requirements where applicable.

5. Conflicts of Interest

All participants in the publication process must disclose any relationships or interests that could influence their work. IJVR will take appropriate steps to manage declared conflicts in line with COPE recommendations.

6. Handling Allegations of Misconduct

IJVR follows COPE flowcharts and guidance when addressing suspected misconduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, duplicate submission, citation manipulation, and data fabrication.

Investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, and transparently. Outcomes may include manuscript rejection, publication of corrections or expressions of concern, or retraction of the article where necessary.

7. Corrections and Retractions

When errors or ethical issues are identified in published articles, IJVR is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record by issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern in accordance with COPE standards.

8. Complaints and Appeals

IJVR provides a transparent process for handling complaints and appeals related to editorial decisions or ethical concerns. All complaints will be addressed promptly, impartially, and in accordance with COPE best practices.