Confidentiality Policy
The review process at Loquēla (Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Education) operates under strict confidentiality rules to protect the integrity of both the authors and the reviewers. As a reviewer, it is essential to adhere to the following confidentiality guidelines throughout the review process:
1. Confidentiality of Manuscripts:
- All manuscripts submitted for review must be treated as confidential documents. You should not disclose, distribute, or discuss the manuscript with anyone outside the review process, including colleagues or students, unless explicit permission is granted by the editor.
- If you require assistance from a colleague or expert on specific sections of the manuscript, please inform the editorial team before proceeding.
2. Anonymity in the Review Process:
- Loquēla employs a double-blind review process, which means the identities of both the authors and the reviewers are anonymized to ensure impartiality. Do not attempt to uncover or guess the identity of the authors. Similarly, do not disclose your identity in the review comments.
3. Handling Data and Intellectual Property:
- The content of the manuscript, including data, figures, and any other supplementary material, remains the intellectual property of the authors. You must not use, share, or reference this material for your own research or personal use without the express written consent of the authors and approval from the editor.
4. Ethical Breaches and Reporting:
- If you encounter ethical issues during the review, such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or potential conflicts of interest, you should report these concerns directly to the editor. All such issues will be handled with strict confidentiality.
5. Confidentiality After the Review Process:
- Even after completing the review, the confidentiality of the manuscript must be maintained. Do not discuss the manuscript or any details of the review process publicly or with colleagues unless the manuscript has been officially published.
- If the manuscript is rejected or withdrawn, confidentiality obligations remain in place. You should not share any information about the manuscript with others.
By agreeing to review a manuscript for Loquēla, you commit to following these confidentiality rules. This ensures that the integrity of the peer review process is upheld, and the privacy of both the authors and reviewers is respected.