1. Definition and Scope

  Research misconduct refers to fabrication, falsification, citation manipulation, or plagiarism in the process of conducting, reviewing, or reporting research. This includes unethical behavior in data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation, or publication. Such misconduct undermines the credibility of scientific records and violates academic integrity. When authors are found to have engaged in research misconduct or other serious irregularities related to articles published in JIED, the editorial board bears the responsibility to maintain the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record.

2. Editorial Action and Investigation

      In cases of suspected research misconduct, the editors and the editorial board will follow the best practice guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure a fair, transparent, and evidence-based resolution. The investigation process may include:

1. Preliminary Assessment – Editors will first determine whether the allegation is credible and consistent with the definition of research misconduct. They will also assess whether the individual making the allegation has any potential conflict of interest.
2. Notification to Authors – If the allegation appears valid, the corresponding author (representing all co-authors) will be notified and asked to provide a detailed written explanation or response.
3. Evaluation of Response – The editorial board will review the author’s explanation. If needed, independent experts or statistical reviewers may be consulted to assist in the evaluation.
4. Decision and Outcome
   • If misconduct is confirmed, the manuscript will be rejected immediately.
   • If misconduct is found in a published article, a retraction notice will be issued and linked to the original article.
   • If the issue results from honest error (e.g., miscalculation or unintentional mistake), the journal may issue a correction or editorial note instead of a retraction.

3. Institutional Responsibility

    In line with COPE standards, the author’s affiliated institution is expected to conduct a formal and thorough investigation of the alleged misconduct. The journal will fully cooperate with institutional inquiries to ensure an objective and transparent resolution. Authors, reviewers, editors, and institutions share an ethical obligation to preserve the integrity and reliability of the scientific record.

4. Retraction Policy

Articles published in JIED may be retracted if:

1. There is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, whether due to scientific misconduct (e.g., data fabrication or falsification) or honest error (e.g., miscalculation or experimental flaw).
2. The findings have been previously published elsewhere without appropriate cross-referencing, permission, or justification (i.e., redundant publication).
3. The article contains plagiarized material or unethical research content.

All retraction processes follow the COPE Retraction Guidelines .

5. Ethical Commitment

    By adhering to these procedures, Journal of Islamic Education and Intellectual Discourse (JIED) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the validity, trustworthiness, and integrity of the academic record. The complete explanation of Allegation of Research Misconduct follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) framework.

For further reference, visit: https://publicationethics.org/misconduct .