Informed Consent Policy

The Journal of Innovations in Education and Social Sciences (JIESS) is committed to upholding ethical standards in research involving human participants. This policy outlines the requirements for obtaining and reporting informed consent in studies submitted to the journal.

1. General Requirements

  1. Voluntary Participation: All research involving human participants must ensure that participation is voluntary and based on informed decision-making.
  2. Comprehensive Information: Participants must receive clear, understandable information about the research, including its purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and their right to withdraw at any time.
  3. Documentation: Authors must confirm that written informed consent was obtained from all participants, or their legal guardians, where applicable.

2. Key Elements of Informed Consent

Researchers must provide participants with the following information:

  1. Study Purpose: The objectives and scope of the research.
  2. Procedures: A detailed description of what participation involves.
  3. Risks and Benefits: A clear explanation of potential risks and benefits.
  4. Confidentiality: Assurance of how participants' data will be protected and used.
  5. Right to Withdraw: Information about the participant's right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
  6. Contact Information: Details of the research team for queries or concerns.

3. Reporting Informed Consent in Submissions

Authors must include a statement in their manuscript confirming that informed consent was obtained. This statement should specify:

  1. The process of obtaining consent.
  2. How consent was documented (e.g., signed forms, verbal consent).
  3. Any applicable ethical approvals, such as institutional review board clearance.

4. Vulnerable Populations

  1. Research involving vulnerable populations (e.g., minors, individuals with disabilities, economically or educationally disadvantaged groups) requires special care to ensure understanding and voluntary participation.
  2. Parental/Guardian Consent: For minors, consent must be obtained from parents or legal guardians, along with assent from the minors themselves where possible.
  3. Additional Safeguards: Implement additional protections to minimize risks and address specific needs.

5. Retrospective Studies

  1. For retrospective studies using previously collected data, authors must ensure compliance with relevant legal and ethical standards. If informed consent was not originally obtained, authors must provide justification and outline how privacy and confidentiality are safeguarded.

6. Non-Identifiable Data

  1. If studies use anonymized or de-identified data, authors should confirm that no identifiable information about participants is included.

7. Non-Compliance

  1. Failure to provide evidence of informed consent or adherence to ethical guidelines may result in manuscript rejection. Authors may also be required to submit additional documentation during the review process.

8. Exceptions

  1. In cases where obtaining informed consent is impractical or unnecessary (e.g., public datasets, observational studies in public spaces), authors must provide justification and ensure compliance with local ethical guidelines and regulations.

9. Review and Enforcement

  1. The editorial team reserves the right to request additional information, documentation, or clarification regarding informed consent as part of the review process.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this policy, please contact the editorial office at editor@jiess.org.uk .

This policy is designed to ensure that all research published in JIESS respects the rights and dignity of participants, adhering to the highest ethical standards.