Allegation of Research Misconducts

Journal of Science Education Research and Innovation (JOSERI) is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity and will take all allegations of research misconduct seriously. Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, unethical experimentation, and inappropriate authorship practices.

Handling Allegations

The handling of Allegation of Research Misconduct aligns with the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). These guidelines are accessible at https://publicationethics.org/misconduct.

When an allegation of misconduct is raised, the following procedures will be followed:

  1. Initial Assessment: Upon receiving an allegation, the editor-in-chief will conduct an initial assessment to determine if the claim has sufficient merit to warrant further investigation.

  2. Investigation: If warranted, the editorial board will initiate a formal investigation. The accused author(s) will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations. External experts may be consulted if necessary to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.

  3. Outcome: Based on the findings of the investigation, the journal may take appropriate actions, including but not limited to:

    • Requesting corrections or retractions
    • Issuing expressions of concern
    • Banning the author(s) from future submissions
    • Reporting the misconduct to the author(s)’ institution or funding body

  4. Confidentiality: All allegations will be treated confidentially, and those involved in the investigation will be bound by strict confidentiality agreements to protect the privacy and reputation of the parties involved, unless disclosure is necessary as part of the resolution of the case.

Retraction Process

The retraction process adheres to the Retraction Guidelines outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), which are available at https://publicationethics.org/files/retraction%20guidelines.pdf.

In cases where research misconduct is confirmed, the journal may retract the published article. The retraction notice will clearly state the reasons for retraction, distinguishing between cases of honest error and cases of misconduct. The retracted article will remain accessible but will be marked as retracted in the journal.

By following these guidelines, Journal of Science Education Research and Innovation (JOSERI) ensures the integrity of its publications and the broader scientific record.