Allegations of Research Misconduct

Explore: Jurnal Sistem Informasi dan Telematika (Telekomunikasi, Multimedia dan Informatika) is committed to maintaining the integrity, transparency, and credibility of scholarly publishing. The journal takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously and handles them fairly, confidentially, and objectively.

1. Forms of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

  • Plagiarism: Using another person's words, ideas, data, or research findings without appropriate acknowledgment.

  • Data Fabrication: Inventing data, results, or research findings that were not obtained through actual research.

  • Data Falsification: Manipulating research materials, data, processes, or results in ways that misrepresent the research.

  • Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Publishing substantially similar work without proper disclosure or justification.

  • Citation Manipulation: Inappropriately adding, requesting, or manipulating citations to artificially increase citation counts or influence scholarly metrics.

  • Authorship Misconduct: Misrepresenting authorship, including gift authorship, ghost authorship, or unauthorized changes to the author list.

  • Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose relationships or interests that could improperly influence research or its publication.

  • Other Ethical Violations: Any other practices that seriously compromise the reliability, originality, or ethical integrity of scholarly research.

2. Reporting Allegations

Authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and other interested parties may report suspected research misconduct to the journal's editorial team through the official contact channels provided on the journal website.

Reports should include sufficient information and supporting evidence to enable a preliminary assessment. The journal encourages good-faith reporting and does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who raise legitimate concerns.

3. Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the editor or Editor-in-Chief conducts a preliminary assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's responsibility and whether sufficient information is available to proceed.

The journal may request additional information or supporting documentation from the reporting party when necessary. Allegations are not treated as established misconduct solely on the basis of an accusation.

4. Investigation Procedure

Where an allegation warrants further examination, the journal conducts an appropriate and impartial investigation. Depending on the nature of the concern, the process may include:

  1. Reviewing the submitted manuscript, published article, research data, and relevant documentation.

  2. Requesting an explanation or response from the author or authors concerned.

  3. Consulting reviewers, editorial advisers, independent experts, or relevant institutions when appropriate.

  4. Evaluating the available evidence and determining the appropriate editorial response.

The journal aims to provide all relevant parties with a fair opportunity to respond before reaching a decision, where appropriate.

5. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

All allegations and related communications are handled confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. Information is shared only with individuals who need it to assess or investigate the matter, subject to applicable legal and ethical obligations.

The journal seeks to protect the rights and reputations of all parties involved and to avoid premature conclusions before the evidence has been evaluated.

6. Editorial Actions

If research misconduct is confirmed or the reliability of a manuscript or published article is seriously questioned, the journal may take appropriate action, depending on the seriousness and circumstances of the case. Such actions may include:

  • Rejecting a manuscript that is still under consideration.

  • Requesting corrections, clarifications, or additional supporting evidence.

  • Publishing a correction, expression of concern, or retraction for an article that has already been published.

  • Notifying the relevant author's institution, research organization, or other appropriate body when warranted.

  • Restricting further submissions in serious cases, where justified by the journal's policies and applicable ethical standards.

Any action will be proportionate to the findings and supported by the available evidence.

7. Cooperation with Institutions

When an allegation requires investigation beyond the journal's editorial authority, the journal may refer the matter to the relevant institution, research organization, funding body, or other competent authority.

The journal may request the outcome of an institutional investigation to inform its editorial decision. The journal does not replace the formal investigative authority of the relevant institution.

8. Post-Publication Concerns

Concerns raised after publication will be assessed with the same commitment to fairness, confidentiality, and research integrity. Where necessary, the journal will take steps to correct the scholarly record and communicate relevant editorial actions to readers.

9. Commitment to Research Integrity

Explore is committed to addressing allegations of research misconduct responsibly and consistently. All parties involved in the publication process are expected to uphold honesty, accountability, transparency, and respect for established standards of research and publication ethics.