Allegations of Research Misconduct

1. General Policy

Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik, dan Pemerintahan (JISPAR) is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity, publication ethics, and academic accountability. The journal takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously and is committed to handling such allegations fairly, objectively, transparently, and in accordance with established publication ethics standards.

Research misconduct may occur at any stage of the scholarly publication process, including manuscript preparation, submission, peer review, publication, and post-publication. JISPAR does not tolerate research misconduct that compromises the credibility, originality, validity, or ethical integrity of scholarly work.

This policy applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and other parties involved in the journal's publication process. JISPAR follows the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in assessing and addressing allegations of research misconduct.

2. Forms of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following practices:

  1. Fabrication of data: Inventing research data, findings, or information and presenting them as genuine.

  2. Falsification of data: Manipulating research materials, methods, data, or findings in ways that misrepresent the research results.

  3. Plagiarism: Using another person's ideas, words, data, or work without appropriate acknowledgment or attribution.

  4. Duplicate or redundant publication: Submitting or publishing substantially overlapping work without proper disclosure, justification, or authorization, where required.

  5. Authorship misconduct: Misrepresenting authorship, including the inclusion of individuals who have not made a qualifying contribution or the omission of individuals who meet applicable authorship criteria.

  6. Manipulation of the peer-review process: Engaging in fraudulent reviewer nominations, fabricated reviewer identities, or other practices intended to compromise the independence and integrity of peer review.

  7. Unethical research practices: Conducting or reporting research in violation of applicable ethical requirements, including the inappropriate use of human participants, confidential information, or research data.

  8. Undisclosed conflicts of interest: Failing to disclose relevant financial, professional, or personal relationships that could improperly influence the research or its evaluation.

  9. Misrepresentation of research findings: Deliberately presenting misleading results, selectively manipulating evidence, or concealing material information in a manner that compromises the reliability of the research.

  10. Other serious ethical violations: Any other substantiated conduct that materially undermines research integrity or violates the journal's publication ethics policies.

Honest errors, differences in scholarly interpretation, or methodological disagreements do not automatically constitute research misconduct. Each allegation will be assessed according to the available evidence, the nature of the conduct, and the applicable ethical standards.

3. Reporting Allegations of Research Misconduct

JISPAR encourages authors, reviewers, readers, researchers, and other interested parties to report suspected research misconduct to the editorial office through the journal's official contact channels.

Reports should, where possible, include the following information:

  • The title and bibliographic details of the manuscript or published article concerned.

  • A clear description of the suspected misconduct.

  • Supporting evidence, such as relevant publications, research records, data, correspondence, or other verifiable documentation.

  • Any additional information that may assist the editorial team in assessing the allegation.

Allegations should be submitted in good faith and supported by credible information whenever possible. JISPAR will assess anonymous reports when sufficient information is available to permit a meaningful preliminary evaluation.

The identity of the reporting party will be treated confidentially to the extent reasonably possible and consistent with a fair investigation. JISPAR does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report concerns in good faith.

4. Assessment and Investigation Procedures

Upon receiving an allegation of research misconduct, the Editor-in-Chief or a designated editorial representative will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the allegation falls within the scope of this policy and whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant further action.

The assessment and investigation will generally follow these procedures:

  1. Preliminary assessment: The editorial team evaluates the nature, credibility, and relevance of the allegation and examines the available evidence.

  2. Evidence preservation: Relevant manuscript files, publication records, correspondence, peer-review documentation, and other available materials are preserved where appropriate.

  3. Notification and opportunity to respond: The author(s) or other parties concerned are ordinarily informed of the allegations and given a reasonable opportunity to provide an explanation or supporting evidence.

  4. Further investigation: Where necessary, JISPAR may consult independent subject-matter experts, editorial board members, research ethics specialists, or the relevant author's institution.

  5. Evaluation and decision: The Editor-in-Chief assesses the available evidence and determines the appropriate editorial response based on the seriousness and substantiation of the allegation.

  6. Communication of the outcome: Relevant parties will be informed of the outcome where appropriate, subject to confidentiality, legal requirements, and the integrity of the investigation.

JISPAR recognizes that the journal may not have the authority or resources to conduct a full institutional investigation into all allegations. When the matter requires access to institutional records, research data, or other evidence beyond the journal's remit, JISPAR may refer the matter to the relevant institution or research organization.

All cases will be handled impartially, with due consideration for procedural fairness, confidentiality, and the rights of the parties involved. The absence of a response from an author will not, by itself, be treated as proof of misconduct.

5. Editorial Actions and Possible Outcomes

The editorial response will depend on the nature, severity, and evidential basis of the allegation, as well as the stage of the publication process.

Depending on the circumstances, JISPAR may take one or more of the following actions:

  1. Request clarification, additional documentation, or corrections from the author(s).

  2. Reject a manuscript that is found to violate the journal's publication ethics requirements.

  3. Suspend editorial processing while a credible allegation is being assessed.

  4. Issue a correction or corrigendum when errors can be adequately corrected without undermining the overall reliability of the research.

  5. Publish an expression of concern when substantial questions remain unresolved and readers need to be informed.

  6. Retract a published article when the evidence establishes that retraction is warranted under the journal's Article Retraction & Withdrawal Policy.

  7. Notify the relevant institution, research organization, funding body, or other appropriate authority when justified by the circumstances.

  8. Restrict future submissions or take other appropriate editorial measures in cases of substantiated and serious misconduct, consistent with the journal's policies and applicable requirements.

Any action taken will be proportionate to the established facts and intended to protect the integrity of the scholarly record rather than to prejudge the parties involved.

6. Allegations Involving Editors and Reviewers

Allegations of research misconduct or publication ethics violations involving editors, reviewers, or other individuals participating in the editorial process will be handled independently and impartially.

Where an allegation concerns the Editor-in-Chief or a member of the editorial team, the individual concerned will not participate in the assessment or decision-making process relating to that allegation. An independent editor, an appropriate member of the editorial board, or an external expert may be appointed to handle the matter.

Allegations involving reviewers may include breaches of confidentiality, misuse of unpublished research, undisclosed conflicts of interest, biased assessments, or manipulation of the peer-review process.

JISPAR will take appropriate action when such allegations are substantiated, including removing an individual from the relevant editorial process or discontinuing their reviewer or editorial role where warranted.

7. Confidentiality and Protection of the Scholarly Record

JISPAR will handle allegations of research misconduct confidentially during the assessment and investigation process, subject to applicable legal requirements and the need to establish the facts fairly.

Information concerning an allegation will be shared only with individuals who have a legitimate role in assessing or resolving the matter. JISPAR will avoid publicly identifying individuals as responsible for misconduct before the available evidence has been appropriately assessed.

Where an allegation is substantiated and requires action on a published article, the journal will ensure that any correction, expression of concern, or retraction notice is clearly linked to the relevant publication. The action taken and its rationale will be communicated transparently to the extent appropriate and legally permissible.

JISPAR is committed to preserving the accuracy, traceability, and reliability of the scholarly record while respecting the rights of authors, reviewers, editors, and other parties involved.

8. Final Provisions

Research integrity is a shared responsibility among authors, editors, reviewers, institutions, and the wider scholarly community. JISPAR therefore encourages responsible research practices, transparent reporting, appropriate data management, accurate attribution, and compliance with applicable ethical standards.

This policy will be implemented in conjunction with the journal's Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, Peer Review Policy, and Article Retraction & Withdrawal Policy. JISPAR reserves the right to take appropriate action in response to substantiated allegations of research misconduct in order to safeguard the credibility of the journal and the integrity of scholarly communication.