Editorial Policies

Focus and Scope

A. Focus

This journal aims to be a platform for the dissemination of research findings, conceptual studies, and innovations in Physics and Physics Education that are relevant to academic needs.

The journal is specifically addressed to:

  • Undergraduate (S1) and Master's (S2) program students who are currently working on their final projects or research.
  • Physics teachers and lecturers who are active in the development of teaching, research, and community service.

Through the publication of articles, the journal aims to:

  • Facilitate the strengthening of physics conceptual understanding and the development of scientific thinking skills, modeling, experimentation, and computation.
  • Encourage the emergence of research-based innovations in the fields of physics and physics education.
  • Serve as a credible reference for physics educators in designing learning, assessment, and professional development that aligns with advancements in science and technology.

Furthermore, this journal aims to bridge the worlds of physics research and physics education practices, enabling the results of fundamental, applied, and computational studies to be effectively integrated into classroom and laboratory learning.

Thus, the journal is expected to contribute to the improvement of physics education quality and the development of a generation of physics learners who are critical, creative, and adaptable to future challenges.

B. Scope

1. Physics

1.1. Fundamental Physics

Fundamental Physics encompasses the study of the laws/principles governing the behavior of the universe, including mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, statistical physics, waves and optics, modern physics, nuclear and particle physics, as well as astrophysics and cosmology. This cluster is oriented towards theoretical development, mathematical formulation, and conceptual understanding. Its main goal is to obtain the foundation for explaining natural phenomena at various scales, from the microscopic to the cosmological.

1.2. Applied Physics

Applied Physics focuses on leveraging physics principles to produce practical technologies, systems, and solutions. This field includes materials and solid-state physics, medical physics, geophysics, environmental physics, energy physics, and industrial physics. This cluster bridges theory with real societal needs by developing devices, methods, and systems based on physical laws to support advancements in various fields, including health, energy, the environment, and industry.

1.3. Computational Physics and Instrumentation

Computational Physics and Instrumentation encompasses mathematical modeling, numerical simulation, algorithm development, and the design of measurement and experimental systems. Computational physics plays a crucial role in analyzing complex systems that are difficult to solve analytically, such as nonlinear systems, chaotic dynamics, and many-body systems. Meanwhile, instrumentation covers the development of sensors, detectors, data acquisition systems, and precision experimental techniques that enable the validation of theories and simulations. This cluster serves as a key methodological infrastructure in physics research.

1.4. Issues and Trends in Physics

Issues and Trends in Physics highlights the latest development directions and strategies in physics research, which can be identified through bibliometric analysis, systematic literature review, or meta-analysis. This includes advances in advanced materials physics, such as nanomaterials and metamaterials, progress in energy physics related to the transition towards renewable energy and energy storage technology, advanced exploration in particle physics and cosmology related to dark matter and dark energy, and the increasing role of advanced computation, artificial intelligence, and big data in the analysis of physical phenomena. This cluster also covers issues of sustainability, opportunities, and challenges in physics.

2. Physics Education

2.1. Physics Learning and Curriculum

This field covers studies on the design and implementation of physics learning across various educational levels. The focus includes curriculum development, learning models, instructional strategies, and the analysis of the alignment between learning objectives, physics content, and student needs. This cluster also encompasses inquiry-based, problem-solving, experimental, modeling, and contextual learning in physics, which are oriented towards mastering concepts, science process skills, and physics literacy.

2.2. Cognition and Creativity in Physics Education

This cluster focuses on the mental processes involved in understanding, reasoning, and creating in the context of physics education. It includes studies on conceptual understanding, misconceptions, multiple representations, physics problem-solving, critical thinking, metacognition, and creativity in the physics domain. This field positions physics as a vehicle for studying how students construct knowledge and integrate mathematical, graphical, or verbal representations to generate new ideas in physics.

2.3. Assessment and Evaluation in Physics Education

This field covers the development, validation, and application of assessment instruments to measure physics learning outcomes, covering cognitive aspects, process skills, as well as affective and creative aspects. The focus includes conceptual tests, problem-solving assessments, performance-based assessments, and the analysis of validity, reliability, and measurement models. This cluster also includes the utilization of assessment data for decision-making in physics instruction.

2.4. Technology, Computation, and Laboratory in Physics Education

This cluster highlights the role of technology and computation in supporting physics learning. The scope includes the use of simulations, virtual laboratories, computational modeling, data analysis software, artificial intelligence for physics learning, and the integration of digital experimental devices and sensors. This field also covers the development of teaching materials and e-modules related to technology, computation, or the laboratory.

2.5. Physics Teachers and Professional Development

This field focuses on physics teachers as key actors in the physics education ecosystem. Studies within this cluster include pedagogical and professional competence of physics teachers, continuous professional development, teachers' beliefs and perceptions about physics learning, and innovations in teacher training. This cluster also includes studies on teacher readiness to integrate technology, research-based learning, and current approaches in physics instruction.

2.6. Issues and Trends in Physics Education

The cluster of Issues and Trends in Physics Education highlights the latest dynamics and strategic challenges in physics learning at the national and global levels, which can be identified through bibliometric analysis, systematic literature review, or meta-analysis. This includes the integration of artificial intelligence in physics learning and assessment, the strengthening of creativity and higher-order thinking, the transformation of physics laboratories towards virtual and hybrid formats, modeling and data-driven learning, and issues of science literacy, sustainability, and equity of access to education. This cluster reflects the developmental direction of physics education amidst technological acceleration and 21st-century demands.

 

Section Policies

Articles

Checked Open Submissions Checked Indexed Checked Peer Reviewed
 

Peer Review Process

This journal applies a rigorous and transparent peer review process to ensure the academic quality, originality, and scientific contribution of every manuscript published. All submitted manuscripts undergo the following evaluation stages:

1. Manuscript Submission

Authors must submit their manuscripts through the journal’s Online Journal System (OJS) in accordance with the journal template and author guidelines. All required metadata, including author information, affiliations, abstracts, and ethical statements, must be fully completed at the time of submission.

2. Initial Screening and Similarity Check

The editorial team conducts an initial screening to ensure that:

  • The manuscript falls within the focus and scope of the journal,
  • The structure follows the Author Guidelines,
  • All required administrative components are complete, and
  • The manuscript passes the similarity (plagiarism) check.

Manuscripts that fail to meet these basic requirements may be:

  • returned to the authors for preliminary revision, or
  • rejected at this stage (desk rejection).

3. Editorial Desk Review

The editor evaluates the manuscript for its:

  • originality and novelty,
  • relevance to the journal’s scope,
  • scientific contribution, and
  • overall methodological quality.

Based on this evaluation, the editor decides whether the manuscript should proceed to the peer review stage or be rejected at the editorial level.

4. Assignment of Reviewers and Peer Review Process

Manuscripts that pass the desk review are sent to two (2) independent reviewers with relevant expertise. The journal employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure objectivity.

Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on:

  • scientific quality and novelty,
  • methodological rigor,
  • clarity of data presentation and analysis,
  • relevance to the journal’s focus and scope, and
  • compliance with publication ethics.

Each reviewer provides one of the following recommendations:

  • Accept,
  • Minor Revision,
  • Major Revision, or
  • Reject.

5. Author Revision

If revisions are required, the manuscript is returned to the authors for improvement. Authors must submit:

  • the revised manuscript, and
  • a Response to Reviewers document outlining how each comment has been addressed.

6. Final Decision by the Editor

After the revised manuscript is submitted, the editor reevaluates the revision, considering all reviewers’ comments.

If the manuscript receives a minor revision recommendation, the editor may make the final decision directly after the required improvements are completed.

If the manuscript receives a major revision recommendation, the revised version will typically be sent back to the original reviewers for reevaluation under the blind review system, ensuring continuity and consistency of assessment.

In special cases, such as the unavailability of the original reviewer or the need for additional expertise, the editor may assign a new reviewer for re-evaluation.

Based on the outcome of the re-review, the editor may issue one of the following final decisions:

  • Accept,
  • Further revision required, or
  • Reject.

The editor’s decision is final and will be communicated to the authors through the OJS system.

7. Copyediting and Layout

Accepted manuscripts undergo:

  • language editing and style refinement,
  • reference formatting according to APA Style, and
  • layout preparation into the journal’s publication format (PDF).

8. Proofreading and Author Approval

Authors are given an opportunity to review the final proof before publication. At this stage, only minor typographical or technical corrections are permitted.

9. Online Publication

After final approval, the article is published online in the assigned journal issue or as an online-first article, in accordance with the journal’s publication schedule.

10. Transparency and Integrity of the Review Process

The peer review process is conducted in a fair, objective, and confidential manner. Reviewers are not charged any fees. All parties involved in the process must comply with the journal’s Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

 

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

 

Publication Ethics

This journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. This statement is based on the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) Core Practices and applies to all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

1. Ethical Guidelines

This journal is committed to maintaining integrity, transparency, and academic honesty in all stages of the publication process. All stakeholders involved in publishing must adhere to the ethical standards outlined by COPE.

The journal does not tolerate any form of:

  • Plagiarism,
  • Data fabrication or falsification,
  • Multiple submissions and redundant publications,
  • Citation manipulation,
  • Violations of research ethics involving human or animal subjects.

All submitted manuscripts are subject to similarity checking. Any suspected ethical misconduct will be handled in accordance with COPE procedures, which may include correction, retraction, or other necessary actions.

2. Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors are required to comply with the following ethical responsibilities:

Originality and Plagiarism. Authors must ensure that their submitted work is entirely original. Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication. Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Manuscripts under review elsewhere must not be submitted to this journal.

Reporting Standards. Authors must present an accurate account of the work performed as well as an objective discussion of its significance. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements are unethical and unacceptable.

Data Access and Retention. Authors should retain the raw data and be prepared to provide access to it for verification purposes when requested. Authors are strongly encouraged to deposit their data in a reputable online repository and provide a DOI or permanent link.

Authorship of the Paper. Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors approve the final version of the manuscript.

Acknowledgment of Sources. Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given, and authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work.

Conflict of Interest. All authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.

Ethical Oversight. Research involving human participants must comply with institutional and national ethical standards. Authors must clearly state ethical approval and informed consent procedures in the manuscript.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools. The use of AI tools is permitted only for language improvement or technical assistance and must be transparently disclosed. AI tools may not be listed as authors. Full responsibility for the content remains with the human authors.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works. When an author discovers a significant error in their published work, it is their obligation to notify the editor promptly and cooperate in issuing a correction or retraction.

3. Editors’ Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the publication process and are required to:

Publication Decisions. Editors are responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts should be published based on their academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance.

Fair Play. Manuscripts are evaluated solely on intellectual content without regard to race, gender, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.

Confidentiality. Editors must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and editorial staff.

Conflicts of Interest. Editors must not use unpublished information disclosed in a submitted manuscript for their own research and must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest.

Handling of Ethical Misconduct. Editors must take appropriate action when ethical complaints are presented concerning a submitted or published manuscript, following COPE guidelines.

4. Reviewers’ Responsibilities

Reviewers play a critical role in the peer-review process and are required to:

Contribution to Editorial Decisions. Peer review assists editors in making editorial decisions and helps authors improve their manuscripts.

Confidentiality. Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents.

Objectivity. Reviews should be conducted objectively, with clear and constructive arguments. Personal criticism is inappropriate.

Acknowledgment of Sources. Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors and notify the editor of substantial similarity between the manuscript and other works.

Conflict of Interest. Reviewers must decline review if they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors.

5. Ethical Approval and Informed Consent

This journal requires that:

  • Research involving human participants must adhere to the principles of ethical research.
  • Authors must clearly state whether ethical approval has been obtained from an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board.
  • Informed consent must be obtained from all participants, and participant confidentiality must be protected.
  • If ethical approval is not required by the authors’ institution, a clear justification must be provided in the manuscript.

6. Conflict of Interest Policy

All participants in the publication process (authors, editors, and reviewers) must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their work.

  • Authors must include a Conflict of Interest Statement in their manuscript.
  • Editors and reviewers must withdraw from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.
  • If a conflict of interest is identified after publication, the journal may issue a correction or take other appropriate actions.

7. Plagiarism Policy and Misconduct Handling

All manuscripts submitted to this journal are screened using similarity-detection software. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism and improper reuse of data or figures without appropriate citation, is strictly prohibited.

Handling Allegations of Misconduct:

Before Publication. If plagiarism or misconduct is detected during the review process, the manuscript will be rejected or returned to the author for clarification.

After Publication. If misconduct is confirmed after publication, the journal will follow COPE procedures and may issue:

  • a correction (erratum/corrigendum),
  • a retraction, or
  • other appropriate editorial actions.

The journal follows the COPE Retraction Guidelines in handling retractions and post-publication corrections.

 

Publication Decisions

The Editor holds full responsibility for deciding which submitted manuscripts will be published in the journal. Editorial decisions must comply with the journal’s policies as well as applicable legal and ethical standards, including those concerning defamation, copyright, and plagiarism. The Editor may seek advice from other editors or qualified reviewers when necessary to support objective and informed decision-making

Fair Play

Editors evaluate all manuscripts solely on the basis of their scholarly merit— including academic quality, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Editorial decisions are made without discrimination based on authors’ race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political perspective.

Confidentiality

The Editor and editorial staff must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all submitted manuscripts. No information about a submission may be disclosed to anyone other than the corresponding author, assigned reviewers, potential reviewers, editorial advisors, or the publisher, and only as necessary for the editorial and review process.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Unpublished material contained in a submitted manuscript must not be used in the Editor’s own research or shared with others without the author’s explicit written permission. Editors must recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which they have any personal, academic, or financial conflict of interest.

 

Publication Fee

Publication Fee

Lontar Physics Today (LPT) does not charge any fees for manuscript submission or peer review. A publication fee of Rp 500.000,- is applied only after a manuscript has been accepted for publication by the Editorial Board. This fee supports journal operations, including website maintenance and indexing services.

Upon acceptance, the Editor will send an official invoice and notification of acceptance to the corresponding author via email. The manuscript will proceed to the editing and layout stages after the payment has been confirmed.

Important Notice:

LPT is not responsible for any requests for payment made by individuals or parties falsely claiming affiliation with the journal. For accurate information and official communication, authors should contact the Editor-in-Chief using the contact details provided on the journal’s official website.