Allegation of Research Misconduct

Jurnal Venus

Allegations of Research Misconduct

Policy for reporting, assessing, investigating, and responding to allegations that may affect the integrity, reliability, or ethical standards of scholarly work.

 

Policy Statement

Jurnal Venus, published by Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Makassar, is committed to maintaining the integrity, reliability, transparency, and ethical standards of scholarly publishing. The journal takes allegations of research and publication misconduct seriously and assesses concerns fairly, objectively, proportionately, and confidentially.

In addressing suspected misconduct, Jurnal Venus refers, where relevant and appropriate, to publication-ethics principles and guidance developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) . An allegation alone is not regarded as proof that misconduct has occurred. Editorial decisions are based on the available evidence and an appropriate assessment of the circumstances.

Research or publication misconduct includes actions that may compromise the accuracy, reliability, originality, ethical integrity, or trustworthiness of scholarly work. Misconduct may occur during the conduct of research, manuscript preparation, submission, peer review, editorial handling, or after publication.

Examples may include, but are not limited to:

Jurnal Venus may refer to the COPE guidance on cooperation between research institutions and journals when communication or cooperation with relevant institutions is required.

Authors, reviewers, readers, editors, institutions, research organizations, publishers, or other concerned parties may report suspected research or publication misconduct involving manuscripts submitted to or articles published by Jurnal Venus.

Reports should identify the manuscript or published article concerned and provide a clear description of the allegation. Where possible, the report should include relevant documentation, correspondence, data, publications, screenshots, similarity evidence, or other information that may assist the journal in assessing the concern.

Jurnal Venus encourages good-faith reporting. The existence of an allegation does not, by itself, establish that misconduct has occurred.

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editor-in-Chief or another authorized and unconflicted editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's responsibilities and whether sufficient information is available to proceed.

Additional information or evidence may be requested from the individual or organization reporting the concern. The journal may also seek advice from qualified subject experts, independent reviewers, the publisher, research-integrity personnel, or other appropriate parties where necessary.

The author or other person concerned will normally be given an appropriate opportunity to respond to the allegation and provide relevant explanations, data, source documents, ethical approvals, correspondence, or other supporting material.

In cases involving suspected fabricated data in a submitted manuscript, Jurnal Venus may refer to the COPE Flowchart: Fabricated Data in a Submitted Manuscript . Relevant steps may include seeking evidence, requesting an explanation from the author, obtaining an independent opinion, and contacting the author's institution where appropriate.

Jurnal Venus is responsible for editorial assessment and protection of the scholarly record but is not a substitute for a formal institutional research-misconduct investigation.

Where an allegation requires investigation beyond the journal's remit, or where the available evidence raises serious concerns about research integrity, the journal may contact the author's institution, employer, research-integrity office, research sponsor, funder, regulatory body, or another appropriate authority.

Subject to applicable confidentiality, ethical, and legal requirements, Jurnal Venus may provide relevant evidence and request information concerning the outcome of an institutional investigation when that outcome may affect a submitted or published work.

If an institution does not respond or the matter remains unresolved, the journal may make proportionate follow-up requests or contact another appropriate authority where justified. The absence of a response from an author or institution will not, by itself, be treated as proof of misconduct.

Jurnal Venus will handle allegations, correspondence, evidence, and related information confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. Information will normally be disclosed only to individuals or organizations who need it to assess, investigate, or resolve the concern, subject to applicable legal and ethical obligations.

The journal will seek to protect the legitimate rights and reputations of all parties involved, including the person reporting the concern and the individual or individuals who are the subject of the allegation.

Editorial communications will be factual, impartial, proportionate, and based on available evidence. Jurnal Venus will avoid premature conclusions, direct accusations unsupported by evidence, or unnecessary public disclosure while an investigation is ongoing.

The action taken by Jurnal Venus will depend on the evidence available, the seriousness of the concern, whether the manuscript is still under editorial consideration or has already been published, and whether an external investigation is required.

Possible actions may include:

For suspected ethical problems in submitted manuscripts, Jurnal Venus may refer to the COPE Flowchart: Suspected Ethical Problem in a Submitted Manuscript . The guidance includes requesting relevant information, suspending review when appropriate, and referring unresolved concerns to relevant institutions or authorities. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}

Post-publication actions will be handled in accordance with the Jurnal Venus Corrections and Retractions Policy .

Allegations involving Jurnal Venus editors, reviewers, editorial-board members, or other individuals participating in the editorial process will be assessed impartially and according to the same principles of evidence, confidentiality, proportionality, and fair treatment.

Any individual who is directly involved in an allegation or has a relevant conflict of interest must not lead the assessment, select investigators or reviewers for the case, or determine the final outcome.

Where necessary, the matter may be handled by an independent editor, another qualified and unconflicted editorial authority, Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Makassar as publisher, the individual's institution, or another appropriate authority.

Jurnal Venus encourages concerns to be reported in good faith and supported by accurate information wherever reasonably possible. A concern that is investigated but cannot ultimately be substantiated will not automatically be treated as a false or malicious allegation.

However, knowingly submitting fabricated evidence, intentionally misrepresenting information, or deliberately making a malicious allegation may itself constitute inappropriate conduct and may be referred to an institution, employer, or other appropriate authority where justified.

The journal will distinguish between a legitimate good-faith concern that is not confirmed and an allegation shown by available evidence to have been made dishonestly.

Jurnal Venus will maintain appropriate records of reported concerns, relevant correspondence, evidence considered, editorial assessments, decisions, and actions taken, subject to applicable confidentiality, legal, and data-protection requirements.

The journal may follow up with authors, reviewers, institutions, research-integrity offices, funders, regulators, or other appropriate parties when additional information is needed to resolve a concern or determine whether action affecting a published article is necessary.

Where new evidence becomes available after an editorial decision, Jurnal Venus may reassess the matter and take further action where necessary to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

Commitment to Research Integrity

The objective of this policy is to ensure that allegations are handled responsibly, fairly, confidentially, and proportionately; to support appropriate institutional investigations where necessary; and to protect the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. Jurnal Venus may revise this policy when necessary to reflect developments in publication ethics, research-integrity practice, journal policy, or relevant guidance from COPE.