Process for Handling Allegations of Misconduct and Ethical Violations

Introduction

At TISJ, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, ensuring that all research published in our journal adheres to ethical guidelines and best practices in the scholarly community. In accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), we have established a clear and transparent process for handling allegations of misconduct, unethical behaviour, or violations of publishing standards. This process applies to authors, reviewers, and editors, and is designed to ensure that all allegations are addressed fairly and consistently.

Types of Allegations We Handle

We take allegations of the following types of research misconduct and ethical violations seriously:

• Plagiarism: Copying or reusing text, data, or ideas from other sources without proper citation.
• Data Falsification or Fabrication: Manipulating, altering, or inventing data to misrepresent research findings.
• Authorship Disputes: Disagreements regarding the attribution of authorship or contribution to a manuscript.
• Duplicate Publication: Submitting or publishing the same manuscript or parts of a manuscript in multiple journals without proper disclosure.
• Conflict of Interest: Failing to disclose financial, personal, or professional conflicts that could affect the objectivity of the research.
• Ethical Violations in Research: Conducting research that does not adhere to ethical guidelines, such as failing to obtain informed consent or approval from ethics committees for studies involving human participants or animals.
• Misleading Peer Review: Reviewers acting unethically in the review process, such as by providing biased feedback or not respecting confidentiality.

Reporting Allegations

How to Report

Allegations of misconduct can be reported to the journal via email at journal@topitalianscientists.org. The complaint should include a clear description of the allegation, relevant evidence, and any supporting documentation.

Confidentiality

We take confidentiality seriously. Individuals reporting misconduct can remain anonymous if preferred, although providing contact details may be helpful for follow-up questions or clarifications. Any person who raises concerns about research integrity will not face retaliation, and their identity will be protected to the extent possible.

Investigation Process

Once an allegation has been received, the journal follows a fair and transparent investigation process. This process aligns with COPE's guidelines and includes the following steps:

Initial Assessment

The editorial team (including the editor-in-chief and relevant editorial board members) will conduct an initial review of the allegation. This may include evaluating the evidence presented and assessing whether the alleged misconduct falls within the scope of the journal’s policies and COPE guidelines.

Communication with the Involved Parties

If the allegation is deemed to be credible, the journal will contact the involved parties (i.e., the authors, reviewers, and/or editors involved in the alleged misconduct). We will notify them of the concern, provide them with the details of the allegation, and ask for their responses or explanations. All communications will be conducted in a fair and impartial manner.

Investigation of the Allegation

Depending on the nature of the allegation, a more formal investigation may be initiated. The editorial team may consult with the institution(s) involved, external experts, or independent investigators to verify the claims and gather additional evidence. We may also seek advice from COPE or other relevant bodies when necessary.

Handling Outcomes and Actions

After conducting a thorough investigation, the journal will make a decision on how to address the allegation based on the findings. Possible outcomes include:

• No Misconduct Found: If the investigation finds no evidence of misconduct or ethical violations, the matter will be closed, and the complainant and all involved parties will be informed of the outcome.

• Minor Issues Identified: If the investigation reveals minor ethical lapses (e.g., lack of proper citations), the journal may ask the authors to make corrections or clarifications. If the issue is minor, it may be resolved through a correction or erratum.

• Serious Misconduct Found: If the investigation identifies serious misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, data falsification, ethical violations), the journal may take stronger actions, including:
  • Rejection of the Manuscript: If the manuscript is under review, it may be rejected, and the authors will be informed of the reasons.
  • Retraction of the Article: If the manuscript has already been published, it may be retracted, and a retraction notice will be issued. The retraction will include an explanation of the reason for the retraction.
  • Publication of a Correction or Expression of Concern: In cases where the issue is not severe enough to warrant retraction but still requires clarification, a formal correction or an expression of concern may be published alongside the original article.
  • Notification to the Author’s Institution: If necessary, the journal may contact the institution(s) associated with the authors to inform them of the findings, especially in cases of serious misconduct.
• Further Action: In extreme cases, such as instances of academic fraud or repeated misconduct, the journal may take further action, including reporting the issue to external bodies such as research integrity organizations or professional societies.

Appeal Process

Right to Appeal

Authors or other involved parties have the right to appeal the decision made by the editorial team if they believe the outcome was unfair or if new evidence comes to light. The appeal must be submitted in writing, and the journal will consider it thoroughly and fairly.

Re-Evaluation

If an appeal is accepted, the case may be reviewed by an independent editorial board or external experts to ensure that all aspects of the issue have been considered and that the decision is justified.

Final Decision

The editor-in-chief will make the final decision regarding the appeal. The decision will be communicated to the involved parties, and the matter will be considered resolved.

Transparency and Accountability

The journal is committed to maintaining transparency in all investigations. All decisions and actions taken in response to allegations of misconduct will be clearly documented, and the journal will ensure that outcomes are made publicly available in accordance with COPE guidelines. This may include:

• Retraction Notices: If an article is retracted, a retraction notice will be published, explaining the reasons for the retraction.

• Corrections: Corrections will be published to amend factual errors or minor issues in articles.

• Expression of Concern: In cases where there is ongoing uncertainty or investigation, an expression of concern may be published.

Ethical Principles for Handling Allegations

The journal adheres to the following ethical principles when handling allegations of misconduct:

• Fairness and Objectivity: The process is designed to be impartial and unbiased, giving all parties an opportunity to present their case.

• Confidentiality: All communications and documents related to the investigation are treated confidentially.

• Protection of Whistleblowers: Individuals who report misconduct will be protected from retaliation.

• Respect for Due Process: We ensure that all parties involved are treated fairly, and we provide a transparent process for responding to allegations.

Conclusion

At TISJ, we are committed to ensuring the integrity of the research we publish and to addressing any allegations of misconduct or unethical behavior with fairness, transparency, and accountability. We strictly adhere to the COPE guidelines, which provide the framework for handling allegations of research misconduct in a responsible manner.

If you have any concerns or would like to report an allegation, please contact the editorial office at journal@topitalianscientists.org.