Allegation of Research Misconduct Policy

Research misconduct refers to unethical practices such as fabrication, falsification, citation manipulation, or plagiarism while conducting, reviewing, or reporting research. When such misconduct or other significant irregularities are identified in articles submitted to or published by JAMSS, the journal is committed to ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the scientific record.

To address misconduct allegations, the Editors and the Editorial Board adhere to the best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). This process begins with an initial investigation to determine the validity of the allegations and whether they align with the definition of research misconduct. Additionally, the Editors assess whether those raising the concerns have any potential conflicts of interest.

If misconduct is suspected, the corresponding author, acting on behalf of all coauthors, is formally contacted to provide a detailed response to the allegations. Depending on the severity and nature of the concerns, further expert input may be sought, such as involving statistical reviewers to analyze the claims. If it is determined that no misconduct occurred, minor clarifications or additional analyses may suffice, typically published as letters to the editor or corrections to the original article.

In cases where misconduct is confirmed during the submission process, the manuscript will be rejected. For published articles, corrective actions may include issuing a retraction or a retraction with replacement, which will be linked to the original publication. In some situations, corrections or clarifications may also be published to rectify inaccuracies or ambiguities.

Institutions are expected to play a critical role in investigating allegations of misconduct involving their researchers. Collaboration between authors, institutions, and the journal ensures the thorough examination of allegations and the maintenance of scholarly integrity.

By transparently addressing concerns about research misconduct and taking appropriate corrective measures, JAMSS upholds its commitment to ethical publishing practices. This dedication ensures that the validity and reliability of the scientific record are preserved, strengthening trust in the research it disseminates.