Publication and Post-Publication Procedures

This section outlines the manuscript management process at GiST – Education and Learning Research Journal. It details each stage from submission to post-publication, including how ethical concerns are handled, in line with GiST’s Ethical Guidelines and COPE Core Practices.

Publication Process

Submission

The publication process begins with authors submitting their manuscripts through the journal’s Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform. Each submission is then checked for plagiarism using advanced detection software before entering editorial evaluation. No authors can be added, removed, or changed after submission. All submissions must fully comply with the requirements mentioned in the Author Guidelines Section.

Initial Editorial Assessment (Desk Review)

Following submission and initial checks, the Managing Editor assesses whether the submission falls within the journal’s scope, meets basic scholarly and ethical standards, and complies with formatting and submission requirements. At this stage, the manuscript may be rejected without external review, returned to the author for adjustments, or approved to proceed to peer review. Desk rejections are based on editorial criteria and do not constitute judgments of the author’s academic standing.

Peer Review

Peer Reviewers’ Invitation: Reviewers are invited through the OJS platform and are required to declare any conflicts of interest and confirm their availability for the proposed review period (typically one month).

Review Form: Once they have reviewed the articles, reviewers submit their evaluations using the journal’s review form, which includes structured evaluation criteria, comments for the author(s), and, optionally, an annotated manuscript.

Editorial Decision After Peer Review: Based on the reviewers’ reports, the Managing Editor will decide whether to accept the manuscript, request minor or major revisions, or reject it.

Discrepant Reviewer Opinions: If reviewer opinions differ significantly, the Editor may consult an additional blind reviewer or seek input from the Editorial Committee.

Revision and Final Decision

Authors have one month to submit revisions. Upon resubmission, the Managing Editor checks that the requested changes are addressed or justified. The final decision is based on scholarly merit, journal relevance, and ethical standards. Upon acceptance, authors are required to:

  • Sign the Publishing Agreement.

  • Complete the Author Information.

  • Complete the AI Use Declaration Form.

Production and Publication

Accepted manuscripts are copyedited to ensure accuracy and quality. Authors review and approve the final version before publication. Once approved, a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is assigned, and the article is prepared for publication in the respective issue. Technical processes such as DOI registration, indexing, and archiving may continue after editorial acceptance.

Print

In alignment with the sustainability policy of our sponsor, ÚNICA, approximately 10 printed copies of each issue are produced. These copies are distributed to the Library of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, the National Library of Colombia, and the National University of Colombia, and are also archived physically at UNICA. This selective printing ensures the journal's preservation in key national repositories while minimizing environmental impact. The journal is published online and is completely free and open access for all readers.

 

Post- Publication Procedures

GiST is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record after publication. Minor errors are corrected through formal notices, while substantive issues that affect the interpretation or conclusions of an article may result in a correction, an expression of concern, or even a retraction. Any requests for changes after publication are carefully reviewed in accordance with GiST’s Ethical Guidelines. Please note that technical limitations related to DOI records or indexing platforms may sometimes affect the timing of post-publication updates.

Complaints and Ethical Concerns

Ethical concerns or complaints from authors, reviewers, readers, or institutions must be submitted to the journal’s official email: gist@unica.edu.co. The Managing Editor will assess whether the concern falls within the journal’s remit or requires further investigation. Although all complaints are managed in strict confidence, the Managing Editor may consult the Editorial Committee or contact relevant parties for clarification or documentation.

Investigations follow COPE guidance and may involve contacting affiliated institutions if necessary. During an investigation or while under editorial consideration, a manuscript may be temporarily suspended.

Authorship and Contributorship Disputes

  • GiST does not adjudicate disputes related to individual contributions.

  • Authors are first asked to resolve disputes among themselves. If unresolved, the journal may suspend editorial consideration and refer the matter to the authors' affiliated institutions for resolution.

Appeals

Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe there were procedural errors or evidence of bias or conflict of interest. Appeals must be submitted in writing within six months of the editorial decision.

Protection of Individuals Raising Concerns

GiST is fully committed to protecting individuals who raise concerns about suspected ethical issues. All reports are handled confidentially, and retaliation of any kind is not tolerated. Individuals are not required to demonstrate intent or “good faith” for their concern to be reviewed.

 

Retraction Procedure

Identification of a Potential Retraction Case: A retraction may be suggested by authors, editors, reviewers, or any reader who identifies serious errors, scientific misconduct (such as plagiarism, fabrication or manipulation of data), undeclared conflicts of interest, redundant publication, or any other cause that may invalidate all or part of the article.
 
Notification and Receipt of the Alert: Notifications must be submitted in writing to gist@unica.edu.co. The Managing Editor or Editorial Committee will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and ensure the confidentiality of the individual who reports the issue.
 
Preliminary Evaluation: The Managing Editor conducts an initial assessment to determine if the complaint is plausible and relevant. If warranted, a formal investigation is initiated.
 
Formal Investigation: The Editorial Committee, and if necessary, external advisors, review the evidence and request explanations from the authors and any other relevant parties. Due process, confidentiality, and the right of reply are guaranteed throughout the investigation.
 
Decision: Following the investigation, the Editorial Committee determines whether a full or partial retraction, a correction, or an expression of concern is appropriate. The decision is made based on the severity and nature of the case, in line with the journal’s guidelines and COPE standards.
 
Issuance and Publication of the Retraction: If retraction is warranted, a retraction notice is published and clearly linked to the original article. The notice must include:
  • The reason for the retraction
  • A statement about responsibility and, if applicable, the involvement of the authors
  • The date of retraction
  • The original article remains accessible on the journal’s website, but is clearly marked and linked as “Retracted.”
Communication: Authors, the relevant institution(s), and readers are notified of the retraction through the published notice. Records are updated in databases and indexes whenever possible.
Record-Keeping and Follow-Up: All retractions are documented internally for monitoring and analysis, contributing to the ongoing improvement of editorial processes.

 

Review and Updating of Procedures

These procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they align with evolving international standards and best practices in academic publishing.