Editorial Policy

Research and Scientific Publication Ethics and Integrity Policy

REALLE – Journal of Applied Studies in Foreign Languages and Literatures, affiliated with the Applied Studies in Foreign Languages Research Group (EALE), the Department of Foreign Languages (DLE), the Pau dos Ferros Campus (CAPF), and the State University of Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), is committed to the principles of ethics, integrity, transparency, and responsibility in the production, evaluation, and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

REALLE's editorial policy is guided by the principles of good scientific integrity practices recommended by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), as well as by Brazilian regulations applicable to research ethics.

Where relevant, the journal also observes UERN's institutional guidelines concerning research involving human participants, particularly those established by Resolution No. 009/2014–CONSEPE, which approves the Regulations of the Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Rio Grande do Norte (CEP/UERN), and by the applicable resolutions of the Brazilian National Health Council (CNS).

These principles guide the ethical responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors throughout all stages of scholarly communication.

1. Authorship and Scientific Responsibility

All individuals identified as authors of manuscripts submitted to REALLE must have made an effective and significant contribution to the conception, development, or conduct of the research, as well as to the drafting or intellectual revision of the manuscript.

Authorship implies shared responsibility for the published content, including the originality of the work, the reliability of the information presented, the appropriate use of sources, and compliance with the ethical principles applicable to the research.

Contributions that do not justify authorship, such as technical or administrative support or occasional assistance, may be acknowledged in an acknowledgments section, subject to the consent of the individuals concerned.

The inclusion of individuals who have not effectively contributed to the work, as well as the omission of individuals whose contributions justify authorship, is prohibited.

2. Ethics in Research Involving Human Participants

Authors are responsible for ensuring that research submitted to REALLE has been conducted in accordance with applicable ethical regulations, particularly when it directly or indirectly involves human participants.

Within the field of applied studies in foreign languages and literatures, this responsibility encompasses, among other situations, research involving interviews, questionnaires, observations, audio and video recordings, teaching practices, interactions in face-to-face or digital environments, students' written productions, and the compilation of corpora containing participant data.

Where applicable, studies must comply with CNS Resolutions No. 466/2012 and No. 510/2016, as well as other regulations relevant to the nature of the research.

REALLE recognizes the responsibilities and authority of the UERN Research Ethics Committee (CEP/UERN), as established by Resolution No. 009/2014–CONSEPE, and advises authors to comply with the requirements for ethical review by a competent Research Ethics Committee whenever applicable laws and regulations so require.

When research is subject to ethical review, authors must report the approval granted by the competent committee in the manuscript or submission documentation, including, where relevant, the approval reference number or corresponding registration.

The requirement for ethical review must take into account the nature, procedures, and characteristics of the research, respecting the exemptions and exclusions established by current regulations.

3. Consent, Confidentiality, and Protection of Participants

Authors must ensure respect for the dignity, autonomy, privacy, and rights of research participants.

Whenever required by applicable regulations, participation must be based on free and informed consent, taking into consideration the methodological and ethical particularities of each study.

Appropriate measures must be adopted to preserve the identity and confidentiality of information relating to participating individuals and institutions, except where valid authorization for identification has been obtained or another ethically and legally permissible justification exists.

These guidelines also apply to the disclosure of photographs, audio recordings, videos, statements, written productions, and other records that may allow participants to be identified.

The processing and use of personal data must comply with applicable Brazilian legislation, particularly the Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD), where relevant.

4. Originality, Integrity, and Prevention of Research Misconduct

REALLE accepts works that uphold the principles of originality, intellectual honesty, and scientific rigor.

Practices incompatible with its scientific integrity policy include plagiarism, improper self-plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, inappropriate manipulation of results, misappropriation of intellectual contributions, and simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to different journals.

Authors must properly acknowledge all sources used, respect copyright, and ensure the accuracy of the information, quotations, translations, and data presented.

The journal may employ text similarity detection mechanisms and request clarification or additional documentation whenever indications of irregularities are identified.

5. Transparency and Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any personal, academic, institutional, or financial conflicts of interest that may compromise, or appear to compromise, the impartiality of the research or editorial process.

The existence of conflicts of interest does not necessarily result in manuscript rejection, but requires transparency and appropriate measures to preserve the independence and credibility of scholarly evaluation.

6. Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers and Editors

REALLE is committed to an editorial process grounded in impartiality, confidentiality, respect for diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives, and rigorous evaluation of the scientific quality of manuscripts.

Reviewers must provide well-founded, respectful, and constructive reports while maintaining the confidentiality of information accessed during the review process.

Editors must ensure that editorial decisions are guided by scientific merit, alignment with the journal's focus and scope, and compliance with established editorial and ethical guidelines.

Conflicts of interest must be identified and appropriately managed to preserve the independence of editorial decisions.

7. Investigation of Irregularities and Corrections to the Scholarly Record

REALLE reserves the right to investigate substantiated suspicions of ethical misconduct identified during the editorial process or after publication.

Whenever necessary, authors may be invited to provide explanations and supporting documentation, ensuring that such matters are handled responsibly, confidentially, and impartially.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the occurrence, measures may include suspension of the review process, manuscript rejection, publication of corrections, editorial expressions of concern, or retraction of published works.

These procedures will be guided by international best practices in publication ethics and integrity, particularly COPE recommendations.

8. Institutional Commitment to Scientific Integrity

By submitting a manuscript to REALLE, authors declare that they are aware of and accept the provisions of this policy and assume responsibility for complying with the ethical and scientific regulations applicable to their work.

REALLE reaffirms its commitment to promoting a culture of integrity in research and scholarly communication, recognizing ethics as an essential dimension of the responsible production and dissemination of knowledge.

Normative References and Guidelines

  • UERN. Resolution No. 009/2014–CONSEPE. Approves the Regulations of the Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Rio Grande do Norte.

  • Brazilian National Health Council. Resolutions No. 466/2012 and No. 510/2016, together with applicable subsequent regulations.

  • CNPq. Guidelines on Integrity in Scientific Research.

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Core Practices and other guidelines on ethics and integrity in scholarly publishing.

  • Brazil. Law No. 13,709/2018 – Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD).