Allegations of Research Misconduct
Journal of Schooling and Pesantren Studies (JSPS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, ethical publishing, and responsible scholarly communication. Allegations of research misconduct are handled seriously, fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the ethical principles recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Definition of Research Misconduct
Research misconduct refers to unethical behavior or serious violations of academic standards during the process of conducting, writing, reviewing, or publishing scholarly research.
Misconduct may include, but is not limited to:
- Plagiarism and self-plagiarism
- Fabrication or falsification of data
- Citation manipulation
- Duplicate or redundant publication
- Authorship manipulation or unethical authorship practices
- Ethical violations in research involving participants or institutions
- Manipulation of the peer-review process
Initial Assessment of Allegations
When allegations of research misconduct are received, the editorial team conducts an initial assessment to determine the validity, seriousness, and relevance of the allegation.
The editorial board evaluates whether the allegation is supported by sufficient evidence and whether it falls within the definition of research misconduct according to accepted academic publishing standards.
Investigation Procedure
If the allegation is considered credible, the editorial board initiates a confidential investigation in accordance with COPE best practices.
Authors may be requested to provide clarification, raw data, ethical approvals, supporting documentation, or additional explanations regarding the allegation.
The editorial board may consult independent experts, reviewers, or relevant institutions when necessary to ensure an objective and fair investigation process.
Editorial Actions and Decisions
Depending on the severity and nature of the misconduct, the editorial board may take one or more of the following actions:
- Reject the submitted manuscript
- Request corrections or clarifications from the authors
- Publish a correction notice or editorial clarification
- Retract the published article
- Inform the authors’ institution or relevant authorities
- Suspend future submissions from the involved authors for a specified period
Corrections and Retractions
If research misconduct is confirmed after publication, JSPS may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or article retractions to preserve the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.
Retraction notices will remain permanently linked to the original article to ensure transparency and maintain publication ethics.
Confidentiality and Fairness
All allegations of misconduct are handled confidentially, objectively, and fairly. The identities of complainants, authors, reviewers, and other involved parties are protected throughout the investigation process whenever possible and appropriate.
Commitment to Academic Integrity
Through the implementation of these procedures, Journal of Schooling and Pesantren Studies (JSPS) remains committed to safeguarding academic integrity, maintaining public trust in scholarly communication, and ensuring ethical standards in international educational research publishing.
