Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

This publication ethics statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process of the VCD: Journal of Visual Communication Design, including authors, editors, peer reviewers, and the publisher. This journal is published by School of Creative Industry, Universitas Ciputra.

This statement is developed in accordance with the  COPE’s Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors. and reflects VCD: Journal of Visual Communication Design’s commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and academic responsibility in scholarly publishing.

Ethical Principles for Journal Publication

The publication of peer-reviewed articles in VCD: Journal of Visual Communication Design plays a crucial role in advancing knowledge within the field of visual communication design and the creative industries. Published articles represent the intellectual contribution of authors and their affiliated institutions, while also supporting the credibility of academic discourse and research development.

Therefore, all stakeholders involved in the publication process—authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—are expected to adhere to high ethical standards to ensure the quality, reliability, and trustworthiness of published work.

School of Creative Industry, Universitas Ciputra, as the journal’s publisher, takes full responsibility for safeguarding ethical practices throughout all stages of publication. Editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by advertising revenue, sponsorship, or other commercial interests. When necessary, the publisher and editorial board may also coordinate with other journals or publishers to resolve ethical issues.

 

Duties of Editors

Publication Decisions

The Editor-in-Chief of VCD: Journal of Visual Communication Design holds final authority over decisions regarding manuscript publication. These decisions are based on scholarly merit, originality, relevance to the journal’s scope, and recommendations from reviewers and editorial board members. Legal considerations related to plagiarism, copyright, and defamation are also considered during the decision-making process.

Fairness and Non-Discrimination

Manuscripts are evaluated solely on academic and intellectual quality. Editors and reviewers do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or political beliefs of the authors.

Confidentiality

All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must not disclose information about a manuscript to parties other than the corresponding author, assigned reviewers, editorial members, or the publisher when necessary.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors and reviewers must not use unpublished information obtained through the peer-review process for personal research or advantage. Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed, and individuals with conflicts should recuse themselves from the review process.

  

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

VCD: Journal of Visual Communication Design applies a double-blind peer review process. Reviewers support the Editor-in-Chief by providing objective, constructive, and scholarly evaluations of manuscripts. Review feedback should assist authors in improving the academic quality of their work.

Timeliness

Reviewers are expected to complete evaluations within the agreed timeframe. If a reviewer is unable to meet the deadline, the manuscript will be reassigned to another qualified reviewer to ensure a timely review process.

Objectivity and Professional Conduct

Reviews must be conducted objectively and respectfully. Personal criticism of authors is unacceptable. All evaluations should be supported by clear academic reasoning.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant studies that have not been cited by the authors and inform the editor of any substantial similarity or overlap with previously published works.

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest

All information obtained during peer review must remain confidential. Reviewers should decline manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from professional, institutional, or personal relationships.

 

Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards

Authors are responsible for presenting accurate, honest, and transparent accounts of their research. Manuscripts must include sufficient detail and appropriate references to allow replication or verification of findings where applicable. Fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of data constitutes unethical conduct.

Data Access and Retention

Authors may be requested to provide raw data for editorial evaluation and should retain research data for a reasonable period following publication.

Originality and Plagiarism

Submitted manuscripts must be original works. Any use of others’ ideas, data, or words must be properly cited. Manuscripts containing plagiarism or excessive similarity will be rejected.

Multiple or Concurrent Submission

Authors must confirm that their manuscript is not under review or published elsewhere. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is considered unethical.

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of their research. All funding sources must be clearly stated.

Ethical Considerations for Hazardous Research

If research involves hazardous materials, human participants, or animals, authors must clearly describe ethical safeguards and approvals within the manuscript.

Post-Publication Responsibility

If authors discover significant errors or inaccuracies in their published work, they are obliged to promptly notify the editor and cooperate in correcting or retracting the article when necessary.