Ethical Clearance

Ethical Clearance Policy

Jurnal Studi Al-Qur'an (JSQ)

Jurnal Studi Al-Qur'an (JSQ) is committed to publishing research that meets high ethical standards. This policy explains when ethical clearance is required, what authors must report, and how the journal handles research involving human participants, communities, and manuscript collections.

1. Scope of This Policy

JSQ publishes two broad types of research. The ethical requirements depend on which type a manuscript belongs to:

• a. Textual and library-based research: This includes studies of tafsir, 'ulum al-Qur'an, qira'at, Qur'anic hermeneutics, and the history of Qur'anic interpretation that rely only on published texts and literature. These studies do not require ethical clearance. Authors should state "Not applicable" in the Ethics Statement section.
• b. Research involving human participants: This includes Living Qur'an studies, reception studies, research on Qur'anic education and tahfiz, ethnographic work on Qur'anic practices in communities, and research using interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, or participant observation. These studies must follow the requirements in Sections 2 to 6.

* Research using manuscripts, archival documents, or private collections must also follow Section 7.

2. Ethical Approval

Research involving human participants should be approved by an institutional ethics committee, research ethics board, or equivalent authority before data collection begins. Authors must report the name of the approving committee or institution, and the approval reference number and date, where available.

3. Research Without Formal Ethical Approval

JSQ recognizes that many institutions, particularly in Islamic higher education, do not yet have an ethics committee for non-medical research. In such cases, authors must:

• Explain why formal ethical approval was not obtained.
• Show that the research still followed core ethical principles: voluntary participation, informed consent, confidentiality, and minimal risk.
• Include an ethical self-assessment statement in the manuscript.

Note: A letter from the author's institution or research supervisor confirming that the research was conducted ethically is strongly recommended. The editors may request further documentation at any stage.

4. Informed Consent

All participants must be informed about the purpose of the research, their right to decline or withdraw at any time without consequences, how their data will be used, stored, and protected, and whether their identity will be kept confidential or anonymous. Consent may be written or verbal (must be documented).

• Minors: Participants under 18 must have consent from a parent or legal guardian, in addition to the minor's own agreement.
• Research in Pesantren and Religious Institutions: Permission from the institution's leadership (such as the kyai, nyai, or head of the institution) does not replace individual consent. Authors must ensure that participants, especially santri and students, do not feel pressured to take part because of hierarchical or teacher–student relationships.

5. Privacy and Confidentiality

Authors must protect participants' privacy. Names and identifying details should be removed or replaced with pseudonyms unless participants have explicitly agreed to be identified. Data must not be altered or falsified to achieve anonymity.

6. Consent for Publication

If a manuscript contains photographs, video stills, audio transcriptions, or other material that can identify an individual (e.g., images of Qur'anic recitation, khataman, ritual practices, or classroom activities), the author must obtain consent to publish from that person, or from a parent or guardian for minors.

7. Manuscripts, Archives, and Private Collections

Authors using Qur'anic manuscripts (mushaf), tafsir manuscripts, or other archival materials must:

• Obtain permission from the owner or custodian of the collection (library, museum, pesantren, family, or private collector) to access and reproduce the material.
• Cite the collection name, location, and catalogue or shelf number where available.
• Obtain permission to publish images of manuscripts where required by the custodian.

8. Religious and Cultural Sensitivity

JSQ expects authors to represent religious beliefs, practices, and communities accurately and respectfully. Authors should avoid language that stigmatizes, ridicules, or uses sectarian labels against the communities or groups they study. Critical analysis is welcome, but it must be based on evidence and presented fairly.

9. Ethics Statement in the Manuscript

Every manuscript must include a short Ethics Statement before the References section. Examples:

10. Editorial Responsibility & Contact

The editors reserve the right to request additional documentation, and to reject or retract manuscripts that do not meet these ethical standards. Concerns about ethical misconduct in published articles will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines and the journal's Publication Ethics policy.