ELLITE: English Language, Literature, and Teaching Journal takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously and operates a clearly described, robust process for handling such allegations, adhering strictly to the fundamental requirements set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE Core Practices). The editorial board considers research misconduct to encompass severe ethical violations, including but not limited to data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and unethical research practices, and we are committed to investigating these issues whether they are discovered before or after publication (COPE Principles of Transparency).

Whenever allegations of research misconduct are brought to the journal's attention by whistleblowers, readers, or external parties through email or official correspondence, the editors will respond professionally, impartially, and will strive to protect the identity of the whistleblower, strictly following COPE's step-by-step protocols (COPE: Responding to Whistleblowers Concerns Raised Directly). Furthermore, the journal guarantees that all allegations, even those raised anonymously or via social media platforms, will be initially assessed by the editorial board without prejudice to determine if a formal investigation is warranted (COPE: Responding to Concerns Raised via Social Media).

If an initial assessment indicates potential misconduct, the editor-in-chief will first contact the corresponding author in writing, providing them with the specific allegations and a fair opportunity to respond and supply relevant data, in accordance with COPE's procedural flowcharts for handling suspected data fabrication or falsification (COPE Flowchart: Fabricated Data). In cases where the authors' explanation is unsatisfactory, highly suspicious, or if the situation is highly complex, the journal reserves the right to contact the authors' affiliated academic institutions or funding bodies to request a formal institutional inquiry into the potential misconduct (COPE Guidelines on Cooperation Between Institutions and Journals).

If research misconduct is conclusively proven after a thorough investigation, the journal is ethically obligated to correct the academic record promptly by issuing an erratum, a formal expression of concern, or a retraction notice, as mandated by COPE to ensure the reliability of the published scientific literature (COPE Retraction Guidelines). In the event of a retraction, the journal ensures that the retracted article remains digitally accessible for historical tracking but is distinctly and permanently watermarked as "retracted" in all formats to prevent the continued citation of fraudulent data by other researchers (COPE Topic: Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections).