TConnect: Journal of Tourism Connectivity is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and publication ethics. The journal follows the principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and is dedicated to ensuring a rigorous, transparent, fair, and responsible publication process for all authors, reviewers, editors, and other stakeholders.

Authorship and Originality

Authors must ensure that submitted manuscripts are original works and have not been published or simultaneously submitted for publication elsewhere. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, and uncredited paraphrasing, is strictly prohibited. Manuscripts are subject to similarity screening, and a similarity index of no more than 15% is generally required. The editorial team may assess individual cases beyond the similarity percentage when determining whether plagiarism or inappropriate textual overlap has occurred.

Data and Digital Research Ethics

Given the journal's focus on digital ecosystems, technology, and smart tourism, authors conducting research involving big data, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, or digital footprints must demonstrate that their research complies with applicable ethical standards and data protection regulations. Authors are responsible for ensuring appropriate data collection, informed consent where applicable, protection of participant privacy and anonymity, secure data management, and responsible consideration of potential algorithmic bias and other ethical risks.

Double-Blind Peer Review

All research manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process. Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts objectively, constructively, and independently based on their academic quality, methodological rigor, originality, and relevance to the journal's scope. Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality concerning the manuscript, research data, findings, and intellectual property and must not use unpublished information for personal or professional advantage.

Editorial Fairness and Independence

The editorial team evaluates manuscripts solely on the basis of their academic merit, originality, methodological validity, relevance to the journal's scope, and contribution to the field. Editorial decisions shall not be influenced by an author's race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, citizenship, institutional affiliation, or other personal characteristics. Editors must maintain editorial independence and ensure that all manuscripts receive fair and consistent consideration.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, professional, personal, or institutional relationships that could reasonably be perceived as conflicts of interest. Such disclosures must be made transparently and at the appropriate stage of the publication process. Editors will take appropriate measures to manage disclosed conflicts and ensure that they do not compromise the integrity or impartiality of the peer-review and editorial decision-making process.

Research Misconduct

TConnect takes allegations of research and publication misconduct seriously. Suspected cases of plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabrication, falsification, unethical research practices, authorship disputes, or other forms of misconduct will be investigated in accordance with established publication-ethics principles and applicable institutional procedures. Where misconduct is confirmed, the journal may take appropriate corrective action, including manuscript rejection, publication of a correction or retraction, or other measures deemed necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Corrections and Retractions

The journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the published scholarly record. When significant errors or ethical concerns are identified after publication, TConnect may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions where appropriate. All such actions will be handled transparently and in accordance with recognized publication-ethics principles.

Responsibilities of Stakeholders

Authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher share responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the publication process. All stakeholders are expected to act with honesty, transparency, confidentiality, respect, and professional responsibility throughout the submission, review, editorial, and publication processes.

Through these policies, TConnect: Journal of Tourism Connectivity seeks to foster a trustworthy scholarly environment and uphold the highest standards of integrity in tourism and hospitality research.