Research involving people
This policy is particularly relevant to research involving learners, teachers, classroom observation, interviews, recordings and educational records. Authors must explain the ethical basis for their study, including approval by an appropriate ethics body where required, the approving body’s name and reference where available, and the procedures used to obtain informed consent. Where approval was not required or an exemption applied, the manuscript must explain that basis rather than omit the issue. A claimed exemption must be supported by documentation, such as an exemption letter from the relevant ethics body, supplied to the editor.
Participation must be voluntary. Researchers should consider power imbalances between teachers and students and ensure that declining participation does not disadvantage a learner. Research involving children or other participants who need additional protection requires appropriate consent and assent arrangements. Permission from an institution does not automatically replace individual consent.
Privacy and consent for publication
Authors must avoid unnecessary identifying information and explain how participant confidentiality was protected. Permission to take part in a study is distinct from permission to publish identifiable quotations, photographs, audio, video or case details. Identifiable material should be included only when justified and supported by appropriate publication consent. An article containing potentially identifiable participant material must state that appropriate consent for publication was obtained from the participant or an authorised representative, as applicable. Removing names alone may not sufficiently anonymise classroom or small-community data.
Data availability and reproducibility
Submissions should include a data-availability statement describing whether supporting data, instruments, code or other research materials can be accessed, where they are available, and any access conditions. Authors should describe methods and analysis clearly enough for readers to assess the findings and, where feasible, reproduce the work. Reused instruments, datasets and materials must be attributed and used with appropriate permission.
Open sharing is encouraged when ethical, lawful and feasible, but confidential participant data must not be released merely to meet a publication requirement. Where sharing is restricted, authors should explain the restriction and any controlled-access alternative without promising access they cannot provide. The journal should not require authors to disclose information that breaches valid consent or confidentiality commitments.
Editorial assessment
Editors may request supporting information to evaluate an ethical or methodological concern. Requests must be proportionate and protect confidential material. Unresolved concerns may lead to a pause, rejection or action under the ethics policy. Authors with questions about confidential research materials should contact submissions@gretajournal.com before transferring those materials.