Ethical Policy

This policy outlines the requirements for ethical conduct and reporting for all submissions to Computers and Education Letters (CEL). As a journal focused on technology, computers, and digital tools in education, CEL is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity, particularly concerning data privacy and the ethical use of technology.

 

1. Ethical Conduct for Studies Involving Human Participants and Data

CEL requires that all research involving human participants (e.g., students, teachers, users of educational technology) or the collection and use of personal data must have been conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible institutional or national research committee and with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) where applicable.

 

1.1. Human Participants and Informed Consent

•       Mandatory Approval: Authors must confirm that all procedures were approved by the appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee. The manuscript must include a statement identifying the approving body and the relevant approval number.

•       Informed Consent: Authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained from all participants. For studies involving minors (students), a statement confirming that consent was obtained from a parent, guardian, or legally authorized representative, in addition to assent from the minor where appropriate, must be included.

 

1.2. Data Ethics and Privacy

•       Data Anonymization: Authors must ensure that all data collected from participants is appropriately anonymized or de-identified to protect privacy.

•       Ethical AI/Algorithm Use: Research involving the development or application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or machine learning algorithms in educational settings must include a discussion of potential biases, fairness, and the ethical implications of the technology on learning outcomes and equity.

 

2. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Registration (PRISMA)

For systematic reviews and meta-analyses, CEL strongly encourages authors to register their protocol in a publicly accessible registry (e.g., PROSPERO) prior to commencing the review. Furthermore, authors must adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement to ensure comprehensive and transparent reporting of their methodology and findings. Adherence to PRISMA, including the use of the PRISMA checklist and flow diagram, is a mandatory requirement for submission.

 

3. Conflict of Interest and Funding

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including financial, personal, or other relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence their work. All sources of funding for the research must be explicitly stated in the manuscript.