Policies

BJLA Journal Policies

1. Peer Review Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) follows a Double-Blind Peer Review System to ensure the quality, originality, and academic integrity of published research.

Initial Editorial Screening

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial screening to assess their relevance to the journal's aims and scope, originality, quality of writing, and compliance with the author guidelines.

Double-Blind Peer Review

Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are sent to at least two independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise. The identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review process.

Review Criteria

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

  • Originality and contribution to knowledge.

  • Methodological rigor and quality of analysis.

  • Significance and relevance of findings.

  • Clarity and quality of academic writing.

  • Relevance to the journal's scope.

Editorial Decisions

Based on the reviewers' recommendations, the editorial team may make one of the following decisions:

  • Accept without revision.

  • Accept with minor revisions.

  • Revise and resubmit.

  • Reject.

Where reviewers' opinions conflict, a third reviewer may be appointed. The Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to make the final publication decision.

Confidentiality

Editors and reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and review reports. Reviewers must provide objective and constructive feedback and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Editorial Standards

All editorial decisions are based on academic merit, originality, methodological quality, and relevance to BJLA's aims and scope. The journal is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and academically rigorous peer review process.

2. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to maintaining ethical standards, academic integrity, transparency, and responsible scholarly publishing. All authors, editors, and reviewers are expected to follow ethical principles throughout the submission, review, and publication processes.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to BJLA must ensure that:

  • Their work is original and has not been published previously.

  • The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.

  • All sources are properly cited and acknowledged.

  • The submitted research is reported honestly, without data fabrication or falsification.

  • All authors have approved the final manuscript and its submission.

  • Relevant research permissions and ethical approvals have been obtained where required.

  • Funding sources and actual or potential conflicts of interest are disclosed.

Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

BJLA follows the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan Plagiarism Policy and requires all submitted manuscripts to meet applicable similarity requirements.

Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, and duplicate publication are considered forms of academic misconduct.

Manuscripts may be rejected if misconduct is identified during editorial screening or peer review. Where misconduct is identified after publication, the journal may issue a correction or retraction, as appropriate, and notify the author's institution where warranted.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for evaluating manuscripts fairly and objectively. Editorial decisions must be based on academic merit, originality, methodological quality, relevance to the journal's scope, and the reviewers' assessments.

Editors must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and manage actual or potential conflicts of interest. They must not use unpublished information from submitted work for personal or professional advantage.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers must provide objective, constructive, and confidential assessments of submitted manuscripts. They must disclose potential conflicts of interest and decline review assignments where impartiality may be compromised.

Reviewers must not disclose manuscript contents or use unpublished information for personal benefit. Any concerns about plagiarism, research misconduct, or ethical violations should be communicated to the editor.

Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose relevant financial support, research grants, institutional affiliations, and actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Editors and reviewers must declare conflicts that could affect their judgment and withdraw from the review or decision-making process where necessary.

Confidentiality and Privacy

BJLA protects the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports, and personal information provided during the editorial process. Names, affiliations, and contact details are used for editorial and publication purposes in accordance with the journal's privacy statement.

Corrections and Retractions

BJLA may publish corrections to address significant errors in published articles. Articles may be retracted when serious concerns arise, including plagiarism, fraudulent data, ethical violations, or duplicate publication.

Retraction notices will remain permanently available on the journal website to maintain the transparency and integrity of the scholarly record.

Ethical Compliance

All parties involved in the publication process are expected to uphold academic honesty, transparency, confidentiality, and responsible research practices. BJLA reserves the right to reject manuscripts or take appropriate corrective action when violations of publication ethics are identified.

The journal aims to maintain a fair and accountable publication process in accordance with applicable HEC requirements and recognized standards of scholarly publishing.

3. Plagiarism Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to maintaining academic integrity and ensuring the originality of all published work. The journal follows the applicable Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan Anti-Plagiarism Policy and expects all authors to adhere to recognized standards of academic honesty.

Originality of Manuscripts

All manuscripts submitted to BJLA must represent original scholarly work. Authors must properly acknowledge and cite the ideas, words, data, images, and findings of other researchers. Manuscripts must not contain plagiarized material or be submitted for simultaneous consideration by another journal.

Plagiarism Screening

All submitted manuscripts are subject to plagiarism screening using appropriate similarity-detection software. Similarity reports are evaluated in context to identify potential plagiarism, inadequate attribution, and inappropriate reuse of previously published material.

A similarity score alone does not establish plagiarism; editorial assessment of the matched material and its context is required.

Types of Academic Misconduct

BJLA considers the following practices forms of academic misconduct:

  • Plagiarism: Using another person's work, ideas, or words without appropriate acknowledgment.

  • Self-plagiarism: Reusing previously published work without proper disclosure or acknowledgment.

  • Duplicate publication: Republishing substantially the same work without appropriate disclosure.

  • Data fabrication: Inventing research data or findings.

  • Data falsification: Manipulating or misrepresenting research data or results.

Similarity Assessment

BJLA assesses similarity reports in accordance with applicable HEC requirements and the journal's editorial judgment. No manuscript will be accepted solely on the basis of a low similarity score if evidence of plagiarism or other research misconduct is identified.

Actions in Cases of Plagiarism

If plagiarism or other academic misconduct is suspected or confirmed, BJLA may take appropriate action, including:

  • Requesting clarification or an explanation from the author.

  • Rejecting the submitted manuscript.

  • Withdrawing a manuscript from consideration.

  • Retracting a published article when warranted.

  • Notifying the author's institution or relevant authority where appropriate.

Actions will depend on the nature and severity of the misconduct and the available evidence.

Authors' Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring the originality and integrity of their submissions. They must provide accurate citations, obtain permissions for copyrighted material where required, acknowledge sources appropriately, and disclose any relevant overlap with their previously published work.

Retraction and Publication Integrity

If plagiarism is established after publication, BJLA may retract the article in accordance with its Corrections and Retractions Policy. Retraction notices will remain permanently available on the journal website to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

BJLA aims to promote responsible research, transparency, and ethical scholarly communication in all stages of publication.

4. Publication Frequency

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is published biannually, with two issues released each calendar year.

  • Issue 1: January–June

  • Issue 2: July–December

The journal welcomes scholarly contributions throughout the year, subject to its submission guidelines and editorial procedures.

Special issues may be published on emerging themes of national or international significance, subject to the approval of the Editorial Board and the Vice Chancellor.

BJLA is committed to maintaining a regular publication schedule and ensuring the timely dissemination of quality scholarly research in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and related interdisciplinary fields.

5. Open Access Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to promoting the free dissemination of scholarly research and knowledge. The journal provides open access to its published content to support academic communication, research collaboration, and the wider exchange of ideas.

All published articles are made freely available to readers through the BJLA journal website without subscription requirements or access charges.

Readers may access, read, download, and cite published articles for academic, educational, and research purposes, subject to the applicable copyright and licensing terms.

BJLA operates under a No Publication Fee Policy. The journal does not charge authors submission fees, article processing charges, or publication fees.

The journal supports the principle that unrestricted access to scholarly research contributes to the advancement of knowledge and benefits researchers, students, educators, and the wider academic community.

Copyright and permitted reuse of published material are governed by the journal's Copyright and Licensing Policy.

7. Author Guidelines

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) invites original scholarly contributions in the humanities, social sciences, arts and design, media and communication studies, education, cultural studies, public policy, and related interdisciplinary fields.

Authors are requested to follow the guidelines below when preparing and submitting their manuscripts.

Types of Manuscripts

BJLA accepts the following types of scholarly contributions:

  • Original Research Articles

  • Review Articles

  • Critical Essays

  • Policy Papers

  • Research Notes

  • Book Reviews

  • Interviews and Scholarly Dialogues

  • Special Issue Contributions

All submissions must be relevant to the journal's aims and scope.

Originality and Exclusivity

Submitted manuscripts must be original and must not have been published previously or be under consideration by another journal.

Authors must ensure that all sources are properly acknowledged and that the manuscript complies with the journal's Plagiarism Policy and Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

Language and Length

Manuscripts must be written in English and should follow the recommended word limits below:

  • Research Articles: 5,000–8,000 words

  • Review Articles: 3,000–6,000 words

  • Policy Papers: 3,000–5,000 words

  • Book Reviews: 1,000–2,000 words

Authors should consult the Editorial Office if clarification is required regarding the length of other submission types.

Manuscript Formatting

Manuscripts should be prepared according to the following formatting requirements:

  • File format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

  • Font: Times New Roman

  • Font size: 12 points

  • Line spacing: 1.5

  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides

The manuscript should be clearly organized, professionally written, and free from avoidable grammatical and formatting errors.

Manuscript Structure

Research articles should generally include the following sections, where applicable:

  1. Title

  2. Abstract (200–250 words)

  3. Keywords (4–6)

  4. Introduction

  5. Literature Review

  6. Methodology

  7. Results or Analysis

  8. Discussion

  9. Conclusion

  10. References

The structure may be adapted to suit the nature of the research and the conventions of the relevant discipline.

Abstract and Keywords

Each research manuscript should include an abstract of 200–250 words summarizing the research purpose, approach, principal findings or arguments, and contribution to knowledge.

Authors should provide four to six relevant keywords that accurately represent the manuscript's central themes and subject areas.

Citation and Referencing Style

BJLA follows the latest edition of the APA referencing style, as specified in the relevant call for papers.

Authors must ensure that all in-text citations correspond to entries in the reference list and that references are complete, accurate, and consistently formatted.

Research Ethics

Authors must comply with applicable ethical standards throughout the research and publication process. They are responsible for:

  • Obtaining necessary ethical approvals and permissions where required.

  • Protecting the rights, privacy, and confidentiality of research participants.

  • Accurately reporting research methods, data, and findings.

  • Acknowledging funding sources and relevant contributions.

  • Disclosing actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Authorship and Author Declaration

All listed authors must have made an appropriate scholarly contribution to the work and must approve the final manuscript.

Authors are required to complete and sign the BJLA Author Declaration Form, confirming that:

  1. The manuscript is original.

  2. The work has not been published elsewhere.

  3. The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.

  4. All authors have approved the submission.

  5. Applicable ethical requirements have been fulfilled.

  6. The journal's copyright and licensing terms have been acknowledged.

The corresponding author is responsible for submitting the completed form as required by the Editorial Office.

Submission Process

Manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the BJLA online journal management system or the journal's official email address, as specified in the submission instructions.

Authors should ensure that all required documents and declarations accompany the submission.

Submissions are subject to initial editorial screening. Manuscripts that meet the journal's requirements may proceed to the double-blind peer review process.

Peer Review and Editorial Decisions

BJLA follows a double-blind peer review system. Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial screening are evaluated by at least two independent reviewers.

Editorial decisions may include acceptance, acceptance with minor revisions, revise and resubmit, or rejection. The Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to make the final publication decision.

Publication Fees

BJLA operates under a No Publication Fee Policy. The journal does not charge submission fees, article processing charges, or publication fees.

Editorial Revisions

The Editorial Board reserves the right to make editorial changes to accepted manuscripts for clarity, grammar, formatting, and consistency, while preserving the author's intellectual content.

Substantive changes may be referred to the authors for review where appropriate.

Copyright and Open Access

Authors retain copyright of their work and grant BJLA a non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, archive, and disseminate the manuscript.

Authors should consult the journal's Copyright and Licensing Policy for applicable licensing terms and permitted reuse of published material.

Final Checklist

Before submitting a manuscript, authors should ensure that:

  • The manuscript falls within BJLA's aims and scope.

  • The manuscript follows the prescribed formatting and word limits.

  • The abstract and keywords are included where applicable.

  • Citations and references follow the required APA style.

  • Ethical approvals, permissions, funding disclosures, and conflicts of interest are addressed where applicable.

  • The manuscript is original and is not under consideration elsewhere.

  • The required Author Declaration Form is completed and submitted.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in a request for corrections or rejection during the initial editorial screening.

BJLA welcomes scholarly contributions that demonstrate originality, academic rigor, ethical research practices, and meaningful engagement with contemporary issues in the liberal arts.

8. Submission Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) welcomes original scholarly manuscripts within the journal's aims and scope. All submissions must comply with the journal's Author Guidelines, Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement, and Plagiarism Policy.

Submission Requirements

Authors must ensure that submitted manuscripts:

  • Present original scholarly work.

  • Have not been published previously.

  • Are not under consideration by another journal.

  • Fall within the aims and scope of BJLA.

  • Follow the journal's formatting, referencing, and word-count requirements.

  • Comply with applicable research ethics and publication standards.

Types of Submissions

BJLA accepts the following categories of manuscripts:

  • Original Research Articles

  • Review Articles

  • Critical Essays

  • Policy Papers

  • Research Notes

  • Book Reviews

  • Interviews and Scholarly Dialogues

  • Special Issue Contributions

Submission Procedure

Manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the BJLA online journal management system or the journal's official email address, as specified in the journal's submission instructions.

Authors must provide all required documents, including the completed Author Declaration Form, where requested by the Editorial Office.

Initial Editorial Screening

All submissions undergo an initial editorial screening to assess relevance to the journal's scope, originality, quality of writing, compliance with author guidelines, and adherence to publication ethics.

Manuscripts that do not meet the journal's requirements may be returned to authors for correction or rejected without external peer review.

Peer Review

Manuscripts that pass the initial screening proceed to the journal's double-blind peer review process. At least two independent reviewers evaluate eligible manuscripts in accordance with the BJLA Peer Review Policy.

Submission does not guarantee acceptance or publication.

Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of their submissions. They must obtain necessary permissions, acknowledge sources appropriately, disclose relevant funding and conflicts of interest, and ensure that all listed authors have approved the manuscript.

The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the Editorial Office throughout the submission and review process.

Editorial Decisions

Following editorial screening and peer review, manuscripts may be accepted, accepted with minor revisions, returned for revision and resubmission, or rejected.

The Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to make the final publication decision.

Publication Fees

BJLA follows a No Publication Fee Policy. No submission fees, article processing charges, or publication fees are charged to authors.

Submission and Publication Ethics

By submitting a manuscript to BJLA, authors confirm that the submission complies with the journal's publication ethics requirements. Plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, data falsification, and other forms of academic misconduct may result in rejection or further action in accordance with the journal's relevant policies.

BJLA reserves the right to return or reject submissions that do not comply with its submission requirements and editorial standards.

9. Conflict of Interest Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and academic integrity throughout the submission, peer review, and publication process. All authors, editors, and reviewers are required to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest that may influence, or appear to influence, their professional judgment.

Authors' Responsibilities

Authors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest related to their submitted manuscripts, including:

  • Financial support, research grants, or sponsorship.

  • Personal, professional, or institutional relationships that may influence the research.

  • Relevant affiliations or interests that could affect the interpretation of findings.

  • Any other circumstances that may reasonably be perceived as influencing the research or its publication.

Authors must provide accurate and complete disclosures at the time of submission. Where no conflict of interest exists, authors should explicitly state that there are no conflicts to declare.

Editors' Responsibilities

Editors must evaluate manuscripts objectively and independently, based on academic merit, originality, relevance, and quality.

Editors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest and withdraw from handling manuscripts where their impartiality may be compromised. Such manuscripts should be assigned to an appropriately independent editor.

Reviewers' Responsibilities

Reviewers must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment. Conflicts may include personal relationships, professional competition, institutional affiliations, financial interests, or other circumstances that could affect impartiality.

Reviewers who cannot provide an objective assessment must decline the invitation or inform the editor so that an alternative reviewer can be appointed.

Management of Conflicts of Interest

BJLA will assess disclosed conflicts of interest and take appropriate steps to protect the integrity of the editorial process. These steps may include appointing an alternative editor or reviewer, requesting additional disclosures, or taking other measures necessary to ensure an impartial evaluation.

Disclosure and Publication

Relevant conflict-of-interest disclosures will be published with accepted articles where applicable. The journal may request additional information or clarification from authors, editors, or reviewers when necessary.

Failure to disclose a relevant conflict of interest may result in editorial action, including rejection of a manuscript or correction or retraction of a published article, depending on the circumstances.

Commitment to Transparency

BJLA is committed to ensuring that editorial and peer review decisions are made fairly and independently. The disclosure and appropriate management of conflicts of interest help maintain trust, accountability, and the credibility of the journal's published research.

10. Research Ethics Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to promoting responsible research practices, academic integrity, and ethical scholarly publication. Authors are expected to conduct and report their research in accordance with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements.

Ethical Approval

Authors conducting research involving human participants, personal data, or other ethically sensitive subjects must obtain approval from the relevant institutional ethics committee or review board where required. Evidence of ethical approval should be provided upon request.

Protection of Research Participants

Authors must respect the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of research participants. Informed consent must be obtained where applicable, and appropriate safeguards must be implemented to minimize potential harm.

Research involving vulnerable individuals or groups requires particular attention to ethical considerations and applicable institutional requirements.

Data Integrity and Research Misconduct

Authors must report research methods, data, analysis, and findings accurately and transparently. Data fabrication, data falsification, plagiarism, and other forms of research misconduct are unacceptable.

BJLA may investigate suspected misconduct and take appropriate action in accordance with its Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement and Plagiarism Policy.

Authorship and Acknowledgment

Authorship must reflect genuine scholarly contributions to the research. All listed authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission.

Authors must acknowledge relevant funding sources, institutional support, and contributions from individuals who do not qualify for authorship.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest that may influence their research, interpretation of findings, or publication. Editors and reviewers must also disclose conflicts that could compromise their impartiality.

Research Data and Reporting

Authors are responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of their research data and supporting evidence. Research findings must not be selectively misrepresented or manipulated. Data sharing should respect participant confidentiality, privacy requirements, and applicable legal or institutional restrictions.

Use of Third-Party Material

Authors must appropriately cite all sources and obtain permissions for the use of copyrighted material where required. Images, tables, figures, and other third-party content must be acknowledged appropriately.

Ethical Review and Editorial Action

BJLA reserves the right to request ethical approval documents, informed consent statements, or additional information when necessary. Manuscripts that fail to meet applicable ethical requirements may be rejected.

Where ethical violations are identified after publication, the journal may issue a correction or retract the article, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Commitment to Research Integrity

BJLA expects authors, editors, and reviewers to uphold honesty, transparency, accountability, and respect for ethical research practices. The journal aims to maintain the integrity and credibility of scholarly research published in the liberal arts and related disciplines.

12. Privacy Statement

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. Personal information submitted to the journal is used primarily for editorial, peer review, publication, and related scholarly communication purposes.

Collection of Personal Information

BJLA may collect personal information, including names, institutional affiliations, email addresses, contact details, and other information provided during manuscript submission, peer review, or editorial correspondence.

Use of Personal Information

Personal information collected by the journal will be used for legitimate editorial and publication purposes, including:

  • Processing manuscript submissions.

  • Communicating with authors, reviewers, and editors.

  • Managing the peer review process.

  • Publishing author names and affiliations with accepted articles.

  • Maintaining editorial and publication records.

Confidentiality

BJLA maintains the confidentiality of unpublished manuscripts, reviewer reports, and editorial communications. Information submitted to the journal will not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals or third parties without appropriate authorization, except where disclosure is required by applicable law or necessary to address legitimate publication ethics concerns.

Protection of Personal Data

The journal takes reasonable measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, disclosure, alteration, or loss. Access to confidential information is limited to individuals who require it for their editorial or publication responsibilities.

Peer Review Confidentiality

BJLA follows a double-blind peer review system. The identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential during the review process, subject to the journal's editorial procedures and applicable ethical requirements.

Publication of Author Information

The names and institutional affiliations of authors, along with other publication-related information, may appear in published articles. Authors are responsible for ensuring that the information they provide is accurate and suitable for publication.

Data Retention

BJLA may retain submission records, correspondence, review reports, and relevant personal information for editorial administration, publication history, research integrity, and record-keeping purposes, in accordance with applicable requirements.

Privacy and Ethical Standards

The journal is committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws, ethical standards, and scholarly publishing practices.

By submitting a manuscript or registering with BJLA, users acknowledge that their information will be processed for the purposes described in this statement.

For questions regarding privacy or the handling of personal information, users may contact the BJLA Editorial Office through the journal's official contact details.

13. Archiving and Digital Preservation Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to preserving its published scholarly content and ensuring its long-term accessibility. The journal aims to maintain a permanent scholarly record through appropriate digital archiving, institutional preservation, and backup practices.

Digital Archiving

BJLA maintains an online archive of its published issues and articles on the journal website. The journal aims to ensure that published content remains accessible to readers, researchers, and academic institutions.

Long-Term Preservation

BJLA supports the long-term preservation of scholarly content through appropriate digital backup systems and institutional repository arrangements, where available.

The journal may also pursue participation in recognized national and international digital preservation services to strengthen the security and continued availability of its published material.

Permanent Accessibility

BJLA aims to maintain access to published articles and issues for future reference and scholarly use. Published content will be retained in the journal archive, subject to applicable legal, technical, and preservation requirements.

Digital Backup and Security

The journal aims to maintain appropriate backup procedures to reduce the risk of data loss resulting from technical failures, accidental deletion, or other disruptions. Digital files and publication records should be managed to support the integrity and continuity of the journal's archive.

Institutional Repositories

BJLA supports the preservation and dissemination of its published research through institutional repositories and other appropriate scholarly platforms, subject to the journal's Repository Policy and applicable copyright and licensing terms.

Responsibility for Preservation

The Editorial Board is responsible for overseeing the journal's archiving arrangements and reviewing preservation practices as needed to support the long-term availability of published content.

BJLA is committed to strengthening its digital preservation arrangements in support of academic continuity, research accessibility, and the integrity of the scholarly record.

14. Repository and Self-Archiving Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) supports the dissemination and accessibility of scholarly research through institutional repositories, subject repositories, personal websites, and other appropriate academic platforms, subject to the journal's copyright and licensing terms.

Author Self-Archiving Rights

Authors may deposit their work in institutional repositories, subject repositories, personal websites, and academic networking platforms in accordance with the journal's copyright and licensing policy.

Permitted versions may include:

  • Preprint: The manuscript version prepared before formal peer review.

  • Accepted Manuscript: The version incorporating revisions accepted for publication, before the publisher's final formatting and layout.

  • Published Version: The final published article, subject to the applicable copyright and licensing terms.

Citation and Acknowledgment

Authors depositing their work in a repository or sharing it through other platforms must provide appropriate acknowledgment of the original publication in BJLA.

Where available, the citation should include the article title, author names, journal title, publication year, volume, issue, page numbers, and DOI or permanent article URL.

Copyright and Licensing

Authors retain copyright of their work, subject to the terms of the journal's Copyright and Licensing Policy. Repository deposits and subsequent sharing must comply with the applicable license and any relevant third-party copyright restrictions.

Where an article is published under a Creative Commons license, reuse must follow the conditions of that license.

Repository Accessibility

BJLA encourages authors to make their scholarly work accessible through recognized institutional and subject repositories to support research visibility, academic collaboration, and knowledge dissemination.

Authors should ensure that deposited files are accompanied by accurate bibliographic information and a link to the original publication whenever possible.

Compliance

Authors are responsible for ensuring that deposited versions comply with the journal's policies, applicable copyright requirements, and any relevant institutional or funder mandates.

BJLA aims to support responsible self-archiving while preserving accurate publication records and the integrity of the scholarly record.

15. Authorship and Contributorship Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in the attribution of authorship and scholarly contributions. All authors submitting manuscripts to the journal must ensure that authorship accurately reflects the contributions made to the research and preparation of the manuscript.

Authorship Criteria

Authorship should be granted only to individuals who have made meaningful scholarly contributions to the research, manuscript preparation, or intellectual development of the work.

Contributions may include:

  • Developing the research idea, objectives, or theoretical framework.

  • Designing the research methodology.

  • Collecting, analyzing, or interpreting research data.

  • Drafting the manuscript or making substantial intellectual revisions.

  • Reviewing and approving the final version of the manuscript.

All listed authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission to BJLA.

Corresponding Author Responsibilities

The corresponding author serves as the primary contact between the authors and the Editorial Office. The corresponding author is responsible for:

  • Ensuring that all authors meet the journal's authorship requirements.

  • Obtaining approval of the final manuscript from all authors.

  • Providing accurate author names, affiliations, and contact information.

  • Submitting the required author declaration and relevant disclosures.

  • Communicating editorial decisions and revision requests to co-authors.

Contributors and Acknowledgments

Individuals who have contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately, with their permission.

Contributions may include technical assistance, administrative support, language editing, or other non-authorial assistance. Acknowledgment must not be used as a substitute for authorship where the contribution warrants authorship.

Author Order

The order of authors should be agreed upon by all authors before submission and should reflect their collective agreement regarding scholarly contributions.

BJLA does not prescribe a universal author-order system because conventions may vary across disciplines. Authors are responsible for resolving authorship-order decisions transparently and fairly.

Changes in Authorship

Requests to add, remove, or reorder authors after submission must be justified in writing and approved by all affected authors. The Editorial Office may request additional documentation before considering such changes.

Authorship changes after publication will be considered only where there is a valid justification and appropriate agreement or evidence supporting the requested amendment.

Guest, Gift, and Ghost Authorship

BJLA does not accept guest or gift authorship, in which individuals are listed as authors without making appropriate scholarly contributions. Ghost authorship, in which individuals who made qualifying contributions are omitted, is also unacceptable.

Authors must provide an accurate account of their respective contributions and must not misrepresent the work performed by any individual.

Accountability and Research Integrity

All authors share responsibility for the integrity of the work and must cooperate in addressing questions concerning its accuracy, originality, or ethical compliance.

Any suspected authorship dispute or misrepresentation may be reviewed by the Editorial Office. BJLA may request clarification, supporting documentation, or institutional assistance where appropriate.

This policy aims to promote responsible authorship, transparent attribution, and ethical scholarly collaboration in all submissions to the Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts.

16. Complaints and Appeals Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, accountability, and ethical standards throughout its editorial and publication processes. The journal provides a mechanism for authors, reviewers, and other relevant parties to raise complaints or appeal editorial decisions.

Scope of Complaints

BJLA may consider complaints relating to:

  • Editorial decisions and manuscript handling.

  • Delays in the submission or peer review process.

  • Alleged breaches of publication ethics.

  • Plagiarism, authorship disputes, or research misconduct.

  • Conflicts of interest involving authors, editors, or reviewers.

  • Breaches of confidentiality or the journal's publication policies.

  • Other concerns relating to editorial conduct or publication practices.

Submission of Complaints

Complaints should be submitted in writing to the BJLA Editorial Office through the journal's official contact details. The complaint should clearly describe the issue and include relevant supporting information or documentation.

All complaints will be treated seriously and handled as confidentially as reasonably possible.

Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors who believe that an editorial decision was based on a significant factual error, a misunderstanding of the manuscript, an identifiable procedural irregularity, or an apparent conflict of interest may submit a written appeal.

Appeals should include:

  • The manuscript title and submission reference, where available.

  • The editorial decision being challenged.

  • Clear reasons supporting the appeal.

  • Relevant evidence or clarification.

Disagreement with a reviewer's academic opinion alone does not necessarily constitute sufficient grounds for an appeal.

Review and Investigation

The Editor-in-Chief or an appropriately authorized editor will assess complaints and appeals objectively and impartially. Where necessary, additional information may be requested from the individuals concerned.

If a complaint involves the Editor-in-Chief or another editor whose impartiality may be compromised, the matter should be referred to an independent senior editorial authority or the appropriate institutional authority.

Outcomes

Depending on the nature and findings of the review, BJLA may:

  • Provide an explanation or clarification.

  • Request further information or corrective action.

  • Arrange an independent assessment.

  • Reconsider an editorial decision where justified.

  • Refer serious ethical concerns to the relevant institution or authority.

  • Take appropriate action under the journal's publication ethics policies.

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed.

Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

BJLA will handle complaints and appeals fairly and protect the confidentiality of the parties involved to the extent reasonably possible. Information may be shared where necessary to investigate the matter, protect research integrity, or comply with applicable requirements.

No complaint or appeal should result in unfair treatment of an individual acting in good faith.

Final Decision

Following an appropriate review, BJLA will communicate the outcome to the complainant. Decisions will be based on the available evidence, relevant journal policies, and the principles of academic integrity and editorial independence.

The journal aims to resolve complaints and appeals transparently and responsibly while maintaining the credibility of its editorial and publication processes.

17. Advertising Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) is committed to maintaining academic integrity, editorial independence, transparency, and trust in scholarly publishing. Any advertising associated with the journal must be consistent with its academic mission and ethical standards.

Advertising Standards

Any advertisements displayed on the BJLA website or in its publications must be appropriate for an academic environment and must not contain misleading, deceptive, or inappropriate claims.

Editorial Independence

Advertising must not influence editorial decisions, manuscript acceptance or rejection, peer review outcomes, or the selection of published content. All editorial decisions are based on academic merit and the journal's established editorial policies.

Separation of Advertising and Editorial Content

Advertising content must remain clearly distinguishable from scholarly articles, editorial material, and other journal content. Advertisers must not receive preferential treatment in the editorial or peer review process.

Acceptance and Rejection of Advertisements

BJLA reserves the right to review, accept, reject, or remove advertisements that conflict with its academic mission, ethical standards, institutional requirements, or applicable laws.

Transparency

Where advertising is permitted, it should be clearly identified as advertising and presented in a manner that avoids confusion with editorial or scholarly content.

Responsibility

The Editorial Board or an appropriately authorized institutional representative is responsible for overseeing advertising arrangements and ensuring that they do not compromise the journal's independence or reputation.

BJLA aims to preserve a scholarly publishing environment in which editorial decisions remain independent of commercial interests.

18. No Publication Fee Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) operates under a No Publication Fee Policy. The journal does not charge authors any fees for submitting, processing, or publishing their manuscripts.

No Submission Charges

BJLA does not charge any submission fee for manuscripts submitted for editorial consideration or peer review.

No Article Processing Charges

The journal does not impose article processing charges (APCs) for editorial handling, peer review, or manuscript processing.

No Publication Charges

Authors are not required to pay publication fees for accepted manuscripts. Acceptance and publication decisions are based on the journal's editorial standards, peer review process, and academic merit.

No Article Access Charges

All published articles are freely accessible to readers through the BJLA journal website, without subscription or article access charges.

Institutional Support

The journal is supported by Beaconhouse National University, as specified in its editorial policies. This institutional support enables BJLA to maintain its no-fee publishing model.

Transparency

BJLA is committed to transparency in its publishing practices. Authors are not required to make payments to secure acceptance or publication of their work.

For further information regarding submission requirements and publication procedures, authors may consult the journal's Author Guidelines and Submission Policy.

This policy reflects BJLA's commitment to accessible scholarly communication and the dissemination of research without financial barriers for authors or readers.

19. Special Issue Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) may publish special issues focusing on emerging themes of national or international significance within the humanities, social sciences, arts and design, media and communication studies, education, cultural studies, public policy, and related interdisciplinary fields.

Special issues aim to encourage scholarly dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the dissemination of research on significant contemporary topics.

Scope and Themes

Special issues must align with the aims and scope of BJLA. Proposed themes should demonstrate academic relevance, originality, and potential contributions to knowledge.

Topics may address emerging research areas, contemporary social and cultural challenges, theoretical developments, or other subjects relevant to the liberal arts.

Proposal and Approval

Proposals for special issues must be submitted to the Editorial Board for consideration. Each proposal should outline the proposed theme, its academic significance, the intended scope, and the proposed editorial arrangements.

Special issues may be published only after approval by the Editorial Board and the Vice Chancellor, in accordance with BJLA's editorial policies.

Submission of Manuscripts

Manuscripts submitted for special issues must comply with BJLA's Author Guidelines, Submission Policy, Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement, and Plagiarism Policy.

Submission to a special issue does not guarantee acceptance or publication.

Peer Review

All manuscripts submitted for special issues are subject to the journal's established double-blind peer review process. Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial screening must be evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise.

The same standards of originality, methodological rigor, academic quality, and research integrity apply to special issue contributions as to regular submissions.

Editorial Responsibilities

The Editorial Board oversees the academic quality and publication process of special issues. Where guest editors are appointed, their responsibilities must remain consistent with BJLA's editorial policies and ethical standards.

Editorial decisions must be based on academic merit and reviewer assessments, without inappropriate influence from personal, institutional, or commercial interests.

Publication Schedule

Special issues may be published in addition to, or as part of, the journal's regular publication schedule, subject to editorial approval and available resources.

The journal will communicate relevant submission deadlines and publication arrangements through its official announcements or calls for papers.

Publication Fees

Special issue contributions are covered by BJLA's No Publication Fee Policy. No submission, processing, or publication fees are charged to authors.

Publication Ethics and Integrity

All special issue contributions must comply with BJLA's publication ethics and research integrity requirements. Any concerns involving plagiarism, conflicts of interest, authorship, or other forms of misconduct will be handled in accordance with the relevant journal policies.

BJLA is committed to ensuring that special issues maintain the same standards of academic integrity, editorial independence, and scholarly quality as its regular issues.

20. AI Use and Disclosure Policy

The Beaconhouse Journal of Liberal Arts (BJLA) recognizes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in academic research and scholarly writing. The journal is committed to ensuring transparency, academic integrity, originality, and responsible use of AI throughout the research and publication process.

Permitted Use of AI Tools

Authors may use AI tools to support activities such as language improvement, grammar correction, translation, formatting, and preliminary research assistance, provided that their use does not compromise the originality, accuracy, or integrity of the manuscript.

Authors remain responsible for the content, arguments, analysis, data, references, and conclusions presented in their submissions.

Disclosure Requirements

Authors must disclose the use of AI tools when such use has materially contributed to the development, analysis, interpretation, or writing of the manuscript.

The disclosure should identify the AI tool used and explain its purpose. Routine spelling and grammar correction may be exempt from disclosure unless required by the journal or relevant research standards.

Disclosure may be included in an AI Use Statement, acknowledgments section, or another appropriate section of the manuscript.

AI and Authorship

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of a manuscript. Authorship is reserved for individuals who can take responsibility for the scholarly work and meet the journal's authorship requirements.

Authors are accountable for all material generated or assisted by AI tools and must ensure that the final manuscript reflects their own scholarly judgment and intellectual responsibility.

Accuracy, References, and Originality

Authors must carefully verify AI-assisted content before submission. They are responsible for ensuring that factual claims, citations, references, data, and interpretations are accurate and supported by reliable sources.

AI-generated references or quotations must not be included without verification. The use of AI must not result in plagiarism, fabricated data, misleading statements, or misrepresentation of research findings.

Confidentiality and Research Data

Authors, reviewers, and editors must exercise caution when using AI tools that may process confidential manuscripts, unpublished research, personal information, or sensitive data.

Confidential manuscript content must not be uploaded to AI services where doing so would violate confidentiality obligations, participant privacy, applicable laws, or institutional requirements.

Use of AI by Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and editorial communications. They must not upload confidential manuscript material to AI tools in ways that compromise confidentiality or violate journal procedures.

AI tools must not replace independent scholarly judgment in peer review or editorial decision-making. Reviewers and editors remain responsible for their assessments and decisions.

Ethical Violations

Failure to disclose material AI use, submission of fabricated or unverified AI-generated content, or misuse of AI that compromises research integrity may result in editorial action.

Depending on the circumstances, BJLA may request clarification, require revisions, reject a manuscript, or take corrective action after publication in accordance with its Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement and Corrections and Retractions Policy.

Commitment to Responsible AI Use

BJLA encourages the transparent and responsible use of AI tools while maintaining human accountability, scholarly originality, and research integrity. The journal may review this policy as AI technologies and recognized standards of academic publishing evolve.

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