Post-Publication Discussion

International Journal of Asian Education (IJAE)

The International Journal of Asian Education (IJAE) supports constructive scholarly discussion of articles published in the journal as part of its commitment to publication ethics, editorial independence, and the integrity of the scholarly record.

Post-publication discussion provides an opportunity for researchers, educators, academics, and other interested readers to raise substantive questions, clarify research findings, examine methodological choices, offer alternative interpretations, and discuss the implications of published research for educational theory, policy, and practice.

All submissions must relate directly to an article previously published in IJAE and provide a meaningful scholarly contribution. Discussions must be evidence-based, objective, respectful, and consistent with the journal’s publication ethics, plagiarism, copyright, and article policies.

Constructive Scholarly Dialogue

IJAE recognizes that scholarly communication continues beyond the initial publication of an article. Critical examination of published research can contribute to the clarification of findings, the identification of limitations, the development of educational knowledge, and the improvement of research quality.

The journal welcomes reasoned academic criticism while maintaining fairness to the original authors and protecting the integrity of the published scholarly record.

1. Forms of Discussion

Post-publication discussion may take the following forms:

Letter to the Editor

A scholarly communication that comments on, questions, critiques, or discusses a specific article previously published in IJAE. A Letter may address the article’s theoretical framework, research design, methodology, data interpretation, findings, references, or implications for educational research and practice.

Letters should identify the original article by its title and DOI, where available, and clearly explain the scholarly issue being raised. Assertions should be supported by relevant evidence, appropriate references, and reasoned academic argument.

Reply to the Letter to the Editor

A scholarly response from the original author(s) addressing the questions, comments, or criticisms raised in a Letter to the Editor. Replies should respond directly to the substantive issues, clarify the original research where necessary, and provide supporting evidence or references when appropriate.

Classification of Scholarly Communications

Letters to the Editor and Replies are treated as scholarly communications distinct from Research Articles and Review Articles. They are subject to editorial assessment and the journal’s applicable publication policies. Their publication does not automatically imply endorsement of the arguments by the Editor or the journal.

2. Submission and Editorial Assessment

Authors wishing to submit a Letter to the Editor should submit their manuscript through the journal’s designated submission channel or contact the editorial office for instructions where a dedicated submission category is unavailable.

Submissions should include:

• The title and DOI or other bibliographic details of the article being discussed.

• A clear statement of the purpose and principal scholarly issues.

• A concise, evidence-based explanation of the questions, criticisms, or alternative interpretations presented.

• Relevant references and supporting documentation.

• A disclosure of relevant competing interests and funding, where applicable.

• Confirmation that the submission is original and does not infringe copyright or improperly reproduce previously published material.

The Editor will assess each submission for relevance to IJAE, scholarly significance, originality, accuracy, clarity, quality of evidence, and compliance with publication ethics. Independent expert assessment may be sought when the subject matter or nature of the concerns warrants additional expertise.

The journal may request revisions or decline submissions that are irrelevant, insufficiently substantiated, repetitive, improperly attributed, defamatory, or inconsistent with its editorial and ethical standards.

Editorial Assessment Criteria

• Direct relevance to an article published in IJAE.

• A meaningful contribution to educational scholarship, theory, methodology, policy, or practice.

• Accuracy and appropriate interpretation of the published research.

• Adequate supporting evidence and relevant scholarly references.

• Originality, clarity, and logical coherence.

• Respectful and professional academic language.

• Compliance with the journal’s policies on publication ethics, plagiarism, copyright, and conflicts of interest.

3. Opportunity for Author Reply

When a Letter to the Editor is considered suitable for publication, the Editor will normally invite the original author(s) to provide a Reply. The invitation should communicate the substantive issues raised and allow a reasonable period for preparing a response.

The original author(s) should address the comments objectively and may clarify the research, provide additional evidence, acknowledge limitations, or explain why they disagree with the interpretation presented in the Letter.

Right to Respond

The publication of a Letter to the Editor does not depend on the original author(s) agreeing with its arguments or submitting a Reply. If the original author(s) decline to respond or do not respond within the period specified by the Editor, the journal may proceed with the editorial assessment of the Letter and publish it without a Reply, where appropriate.

Where a Reply is submitted, the Editor will assess it for relevance, accuracy, fairness, and scholarly quality. The journal may publish the Letter and Reply together or link them to the original article where technically feasible.

The purpose of this process is to facilitate a fair exchange of scholarly views, not to require agreement between the parties.

4. Errors and Research or Publication Misconduct

Post-publication discussion may identify possible errors, inconsistencies, questionable interpretations, plagiarism, redundant publication, concerns about authorship, unreliable data, or other potential breaches of research and publication ethics.

Such concerns will be assessed in accordance with IJAE’s Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, and Article Policy. The Editor may request clarification or supporting documentation from the relevant authors and, where necessary, seek independent expert advice or contact appropriate institutions.

All concerns will be handled fairly and impartially, with due consideration of the available evidence, confidentiality where appropriate, and the opportunity for relevant parties to provide an explanation.

Possible Editorial Actions

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the findings, the journal may take one or more appropriate actions:

• Request clarification or additional evidence from the authors.

• Publish a correction, corrigendum, or erratum when an identified error requires formal correction.

• Publish an Expression of Concern when substantial questions remain unresolved and a public notice is warranted.

• Retract an article when the findings or conclusions are seriously compromised or when other circumstances justify retraction under the journal’s Article Policy.

• Withdraw an accepted but not yet formally published article when the circumstances meet the journal’s withdrawal policy.

• Remove an article from the online database only in exceptional circumstances consistent with the journal’s Article Policy, including applicable legal requirements.

• Take other appropriate editorial measures consistent with the evidence and the journal’s publication ethics standards.

A Letter to the Editor is not, by itself, a determination that an article is unreliable or that misconduct has occurred. Any formal correction, withdrawal, retraction, or removal will be handled through the applicable editorial procedure and documented in accordance with the journal’s Article Policy.

Where an article is retracted, IJAE’s stated policy provides for a retraction notice, a link to the original article, and retention of the original article in the archive with the appropriate retraction indication, subject to the journal’s stated procedures. Corrections and other editorial notices should be linked to the affected article wherever technically feasible.

5. Publication and Ethical Standards

Accepted Letters to the Editor and Replies will be published as separately identified scholarly communications and linked to the original article where technically feasible. Publication will follow the journal’s applicable editorial procedures and copyright and licensing requirements.

Authors and contributors must comply with IJAE’s applicable policies concerning originality, plagiarism, attribution, authorship, copyright, competing interests, and research ethics.

Ethical Requirements

• All claims must be presented accurately and supported by appropriate evidence.

• Published work, data, quotations, and ideas must be properly attributed.

• Reproduction of copyrighted text, figures, tables, or other material must comply with applicable copyright requirements and the journal’s license and copyright policy.

• Relevant competing interests and funding must be disclosed.

• Criticism must focus on the scholarly content, evidence, methods, or interpretation rather than personal attacks.

• Allegations of misconduct must be raised responsibly and supported by appropriate information.

• Confidential information obtained through editorial or peer-review processes must not be disclosed without authorization.

IJAE’s open-access and copyright arrangements apply to published scholarly communications in accordance with the journal’s applicable licensing terms. Contributors are responsible for ensuring that their submissions meet the relevant legal and ethical requirements.

6. Editorial Independence and Final Decisions

All post-publication discussions will be handled fairly, objectively, and impartially. Editorial decisions will be based on scholarly merit, relevance, supporting evidence, the reliability of the arguments, and compliance with the journal’s policies.

The Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor will make the final editorial decision. Any editor with a relevant competing interest must disclose it and should not handle the matter where the conflict could compromise impartiality. Independent editorial or expert assessment may be sought when appropriate.

The journal’s Publication Ethics statement is based on principles adapted from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Post-publication concerns will therefore be considered in accordance with IJAE’s published policies and applicable publication ethics guidance.

The journal will not make publication decisions solely on the basis of whether a submission agrees with the conclusions of a previously published article. Scholarly disagreement, when responsibly argued and supported by evidence, is a legitimate part of academic discourse.

Openness, Accountability, and Academic Integrity

The International Journal of Asian Education recognizes post-publication discussion as a means of supporting transparent scholarly communication, responsible criticism, and the continued evaluation of published research.

Through fair editorial assessment, opportunities for author response, and appropriate procedures for addressing errors or ethical concerns, IJAE seeks to strengthen the quality of educational scholarship and preserve the accuracy, credibility, and integrity of the scholarly record.

The journal welcomes constructive contributions that advance understanding of education across Asia and internationally while upholding academic integrity, editorial independence, and respect for evidence-based scholarly debate.