Publication Ethics. One of the major thrusts of University of Southeastern Philippines as a research university is to publish quality papers. The intergrity of the content published is a crucial point and should be ensured during the whole course of the editorial process. All the actors involved in the production of the Journal - authors, Editorial Team members and other Publication Unit staff - are expected to fully adhere to the policy regarding publication ethics and malpractice.

Ethical Issues: Action of Publication Board
The SPJRD Editorial Team shall exert all efforts to avoid ethical issues before publication; but anyone who suspects any form of malpractice connected to the submitted paper should immediately reach the Editorial Team through its official contact email publication@usep.edu.ph. Every suspicion of ethical issues, misconduct or conflict of interest shall be investigated by the Editorial Team, with the Editor-in-chief, Associate Editor and Publication Unit head as lead investigators.

Investigation
a. The Editor-in-chief, Associate Editor and Publication Unit head shall spearhead the investigation.
b. Membership to theinvesitgating body, besides the three (3) lead investigators, are members of the SPJRD Publication Board. Reviewers and authors are to provide feedback and suggestions to improve communication during the treatment of ethical issues.
c. The lead investigators shall ocntact both parties involved in the conflict and study their responses. No repressive action shall be decided without sufficient evidence of misconduct.
d. If the case involves another journal, its Editor-in-Chief shall be contacted with both Editorial Teams doing the investigation and making a common decision to resolve the issue.

In resolving minor disputes or major commission of malpractice
a. If the paper implicated has already been published, the decision of the investigating body will depend on the nature and severity of the problem:

a1. If the dispute is only due to a difference of scientific point of view between the author and the complainant, the Journal may encourage debate. The complainant can publish a paoer in SPJRD, and the author of the first paper has the right to reply. These papers will follow the evaluation process and will be reviewed before any other editorial decision.
a2. For minor issues, all persons involved in the decision and publication process are informed. If all parties agree, the publication of a corrigendu, or addendum will be the solution.
a3. In very serious cases (eg.plagiarism), publication will be retracted. A Retraction Note shall appear in the next issue of the journal.

If the paper implicated has not yet been published, publication will be delayed until the issue is resolved. The manuscript is rejected when evidence shows that the author(s) has (have) committed malpractice.