Jurnal Lentera Kesehatan Masyarakat (JLKM) (p-ISSN 2988-0726 | e-ISSN 2985-895X) is an academic, peer-reviewed online journal. This document outlines the ethical standards expected of all contributors involved in the journal’s publication process—including authors, the editor-in-chief, editorial board members, peer reviewers, and the publisher (PT. Lentera Kesehatan Indonesia). These ethical guidelines are informed by the COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

JLKM is strongly dedicated to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics, aiming to create a research environment grounded in ethical responsibility and academic honesty. From submission to publication, we prioritize integrity, openness, and responsible publishing practices. Our ethical policy is built upon the core principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure credibility and trustworthiness in scientific communication.

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

Publishing an article in Jurnal Lentera Kesehatan Masyarakat (JLKM), a peer-reviewed scientific journal, represents a foundational element in establishing a reliable and reputable body of scholarly knowledge. Each published work serves as a reflection of the authors' academic integrity and the commitment of the institutions that support their research. Peer-reviewed publications are essential to the advancement of the scientific method, making it critical that all parties involved in the publication process—including authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, and the academic community—adhere to clearly defined ethical standards.

As the publisher of JLKM, Lentera Kesehatan Indonesia takes its role in safeguarding every stage of the publication process with utmost seriousness. We recognize the importance of ethical oversight and strive to maintain a publishing environment that is transparent, fair, and independent. We ensure that advertisements, reprints, or any commercial interests have no influence on editorial decisions. Furthermore, the editorial board and the Faculty of Public Health actively support communication and collaboration with other journals and publishers when necessary to uphold ethical publishing practices.

Duties of the Editor

Publication Decisions

The editor of Jurnal Lentera Kesehatan Masyarakat (JLKM) holds the primary responsibility for determining which submitted manuscripts are suitable for publication. This decision must be based on the scholarly merit of the work and its relevance to researchers and the journal’s readership. In making these decisions, editors may be guided by the editorial board’s policies and must comply with applicable legal standards related to defamation, copyright laws, and plagiarism. Editors are also encouraged to consult with other editors or peer reviewers when necessary to ensure informed and fair judgment.

Process Control

Editors must conduct an initial assessment of each submission to evaluate its originality, using appropriate plagiarism detection tools. Manuscripts that meet originality criteria are then forwarded for a double-blind peer review process involving one or more reviewers. Each reviewer is expected to provide a recommendation—whether to accept, reject, or request revisions. The review period typically spans a minimum of 21 days and may extend up to 45 days. If the first two reviewers deliver conflicting decisions, the manuscript will be assigned to a third reviewer for final consideration.

Fair Evaluation

Editors are required to assess manuscripts solely on the basis of their scholarly content, without discrimination based on the author’s race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic background, citizenship, or political views.

Confidentiality

All submitted manuscripts must be treated with strict confidentiality. Editors and members of the editorial board are prohibited from sharing information about a manuscript with anyone outside the editorial process, including reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisors, and the publisher, unless otherwise appropriate.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Editors must not use any unpublished material disclosed in a submitted manuscript for their own research purposes unless they have obtained explicit written permission from the author.

 

Handling of Misconduct

• Research Misconduct:
  If there is credible suspicion that a study was conducted unethically, the editor reserves the right to reject the manuscript and notify the relevant parties, such as the author’s institution or the ethics review committee. Retractions will be considered for confirmed instances of misconduct or severe breaches of scientific integrity.

• Data Fabrication and Falsification:
  Fabrication refers to creating false data, while falsification involves manipulating research data or images to mislead. If concerns arise about data integrity during or after peer review, the editor may request anonymized raw data. Failure to provide such data may result in rejection or retraction, and the institution may be informed of the potential misconduct.

• Duplicate Publication:
  Authors must disclose any potential overlap with previously published work. Manuscripts under consideration or "in press" elsewhere must be disclosed. JLKM retains the right to evaluate overlap on a case-by-case basis.

• Citation Integrity:
  All claims and arguments presented must be supported with appropriate references. Practices such as excessive self-citation, mutual citation pacts, or unnecessary references to the journal itself are not allowed.

• Publication Misconduct:
  JLKM adheres strictly to COPE guidelines in investigating and addressing any instances of publication misconduct.