The journal adheres to the principles and guidelines outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to address allegations of research misconduct. Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, unethical research practices, or improper authorship attribution.

When an allegation of misconduct is raised, the following steps will be undertaken:

1. Initial Assessment: The editorial team will review the allegation to determine its validity and relevance to the journal.
2. Investigation: If the allegation is deemed credible, the editorial team will conduct a thorough investigation, consulting with relevant parties such as authors, reviewers, or institutions.
3. Resolution: Based on the investigation, appropriate actions will be taken. This may include issuing a correction, retraction, or expression of concern, or reporting the case to the author’s institution for further action.

The journal reserves the right to retract articles found to involve research misconduct and to notify relevant authorities and stakeholders as necessary. The process will be handled transparently and fairly, ensuring confidentiality for all involved parties.