Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan (JIKA) is committed to maintaining research integrity, transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the editorial and publication process. This policy establishes the procedures for reporting, assessing, investigating, and addressing suspected research and publication misconduct involving manuscripts submitted to or articles published in JIKA.
This policy complements JIKA's Publication Malpractice Statement, Research Ethics and Publication Policy, Plagiarism Policy, Authorship and Contributorship Policy, and Article Withdrawal and Retraction Policy. It is informed by recognized scholarly publishing ethics guidance, including that of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). References to these organizations do not imply membership or endorsement.
1. General Principles
JIKA assesses allegations of research misconduct responsibly and impartially. A reported concern or allegation does not, by itself, establish that misconduct has occurred.
The journal follows these principles when handling allegations:
- Fairness: All parties involved are treated fairly and given an appropriate opportunity to provide relevant explanations and evidence.
- Confidentiality: Information is shared only with individuals or organizations who have a legitimate role in assessing or resolving the concern, subject to applicable requirements.
- Impartiality: Allegations are evaluated objectively, without inappropriate influence or conflicts of interest.
- Evidence-Based Assessment: Decisions are based on the available evidence, the nature and seriousness of the concern, and applicable journal policies.
- Right to Respond: Individuals concerned are normally given a reasonable opportunity to respond to material allegations before a consequential decision is made.
- Research Integrity: Actions are intended to protect the accuracy, reliability, and transparency of the scholarly record.
2. Types of Research and Publication Misconduct
Research or publication misconduct may include, but is not limited to, the following:
2.1 Data Fabrication and Falsification
Fabrication involves making up research data, results, or findings and presenting them as genuine. Falsification involves manipulating research materials, procedures, data, or results in a way that misrepresents the research.
2.2 Plagiarism and Inappropriate Text Reuse
Plagiarism involves presenting another person's words, ideas, data, or intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgment. Inappropriate text reuse, including self-plagiarism and redundant publication, may also constitute misconduct depending on the circumstances and applicable publication policies.
2.3 Image and Data Manipulation
Inappropriate alteration, duplication, selective presentation, or manipulation of images, figures, tables, or research data that misrepresents the underlying evidence may constitute research misconduct.
2.4 Duplicate Submission and Redundant Publication
Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously, or publishing substantially overlapping research without appropriate disclosure, justification, or acknowledgment, may constitute misconduct.
2.5 Authorship Misrepresentation
Misconduct may include the inappropriate inclusion or exclusion of authors, gift or guest authorship, ghost authorship, and inaccurate reporting of authors' contributions.
2.6 Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest
Failure to disclose relevant financial, professional, institutional, or personal relationships that may influence, or reasonably appear to influence, research findings or editorial decisions may constitute a breach of publication ethics.
2.7 Citation Manipulation
Inappropriate citation practices, including coercive citation, excessive irrelevant references, or coordinated efforts to artificially inflate citation metrics without legitimate scholarly justification, may constitute publication misconduct.
2.8 Peer-Review and Editorial Manipulation
Attempts to compromise the integrity or independence of peer review may include providing false reviewer identities, fabricating reviewer reports, impersonating reviewers, or improperly influencing editorial decisions.
2.9 Research Ethics Violations
Conduct that violates applicable research ethics requirements may include failure to obtain required ethical approval, inadequate informed consent, unauthorized disclosure of identifiable participant information, or failure to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of research participants or animals.
2.10 Misconduct Involving AI-Assisted Technologies
Potential misconduct may include fabricated references, falsified research content, misrepresentation of data or findings, or failure to disclose the use of artificial intelligence when disclosure is required by JIKA's applicable policies.
Authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, and integrity of their submitted and published work.
3. Reporting Allegations of Misconduct
Suspected research or publication misconduct may be reported to the JIKA editorial office by authors, reviewers, readers, research institutions, funding agencies, ethics committees, or other relevant parties.
Reports should, where possible, include:
- The title, DOI, or other identifying information for the manuscript or published article.
- A clear description of the suspected misconduct.
- Relevant evidence, documents, or supporting information.
- Identification of the sections, figures, tables, data, or statements involved, where applicable.
- Contact information for further correspondence, where provided.
Anonymous or incomplete reports may be considered when sufficient verifiable information is available to assess the concern. The editorial office may request additional information when necessary.
Reporting Contact
Journal: Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan (JIKA)
Publisher: Sarana Ilmu Indonesia (Salnesia)
Editorial Email: jika@salnesia.id
Reports should be submitted with the subject line “Allegation of Research Misconduct” to facilitate appropriate handling.
4. Initial Editorial Assessment
Upon receiving an allegation, the Editor-in-Chief or an authorized editor conducts a preliminary assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's responsibility and whether further investigation is warranted.
The initial assessment may include:
- Reviewing the submitted manuscript or published article.
- Examining the evidence and supporting documentation provided.
- Checking relevant submission, peer-review, and editorial records.
- Reviewing applicable journal policies and ethical requirements.
- Requesting clarification or additional information from the reporting party.
- Consulting independent experts or relevant publication ethics guidance when appropriate.
- Determining whether the matter requires referral to an institution or another competent body.
Where a substantial concern may affect the integrity of an ongoing editorial process, JIKA may temporarily suspend manuscript processing while the matter is assessed.
An allegation will not be treated as proven solely because it has been reported.
5. Investigation and Opportunity to Respond
When the preliminary assessment indicates that further investigation is warranted, JIKA may contact the relevant author or other concerned party and request an explanation, supporting documentation, or other relevant information.
The investigation will be conducted fairly, objectively, and confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. The scope and duration of the investigation will depend on the nature of the allegation, the available evidence, and the complexity of the matter.
Relevant parties will normally be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to material allegations before a consequential editorial decision is made.
Where necessary, JIKA may seek independent expert advice or contact the relevant institution, employer, funding agency, research ethics committee, or other competent body for clarification or further investigation.
Editors or reviewers with a relevant conflict of interest must not manage the affected matter. Responsibility may be reassigned to an appropriately qualified editor when necessary.
6. Cooperation with Institutions and Relevant Bodies
JIKA recognizes that a journal may not have the authority, resources, or access required to conduct a formal investigation into every aspect of suspected research misconduct.
When appropriate, JIKA may contact the institution where the research was conducted, the authors' affiliated institution, a funding agency, a research ethics committee, or another competent body to request clarification or assistance.
Institutional findings may inform the journal's assessment. However, JIKA retains responsibility for determining the appropriate editorial action concerning manuscripts submitted to or articles published in the journal.
Information will be shared with relevant institutions or bodies only as reasonably necessary for assessing or resolving the concern, subject to applicable legal, ethical, and confidentiality requirements.
7. Possible Editorial Outcomes
The outcome will depend on the nature of the allegation, the available evidence, the seriousness of the concern, and whether the manuscript has been submitted, accepted, or published.
Possible outcomes include the following:
7.1 No Further Action
No further action may be taken when the allegation is not supported by sufficient evidence or does not warrant further editorial intervention.
7.2 Clarification or Correction
JIKA may request clarification, additional documentation, correction of errors, or revision of misleading or incomplete statements.
7.3 Manuscript Rejection
A submitted manuscript may be rejected when substantiated concerns or unresolved ethical issues justify that editorial decision under the journal's policies.
7.4 Suspension of Editorial Processing
Editorial processing may be suspended while a substantial concern is being investigated or while additional information is required.
7.5 Editorial or Reviewer Replacement
An editor or reviewer may be replaced when a conflict of interest or an integrity concern compromises the independence or reliability of the evaluation process.
7.6 Institutional Notification
Relevant information may be referred to an appropriate institution, funding agency, ethics committee, or other competent body when justified by the circumstances.
7.7 Post-Publication Action
For published articles, JIKA may issue a correction, an Expression of Concern, or a retraction when warranted by the evidence and the journal's applicable policies.
Any action will be proportionate to the seriousness and impact of the misconduct and will be intended to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.
8. Post-Publication Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions
When a concern relates to an already published article, JIKA will assess its implications for the article's accuracy, reliability, ethical compliance, and scientific conclusions.
- Correction: A correction may be issued when an error or omission requires amendment but does not undermine the overall reliability of the article.
- Expression of Concern: An Expression of Concern may be issued when credible concerns remain unresolved, an investigation is ongoing, or available evidence is insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion.
- Retraction: Retraction may be considered when compelling evidence indicates that the findings are unreliable, serious research ethics violations have occurred, or misconduct materially compromises the integrity of the published work.
Retraction notices will identify the affected article and explain the reasons for retraction. The notice will be linked to the original article, which will remain identifiable as retracted rather than being removed, except where exceptional circumstances require otherwise.
For detailed procedures, please refer to JIKA's Article Correction Notice and Article Withdrawal and Retraction policies.
9. Confidentiality and Protection Against Unfair Treatment
JIKA will handle allegations with appropriate confidentiality and will limit disclosure to parties with a legitimate role in the assessment or resolution of the matter.
The journal expects all parties to avoid presenting unverified allegations as established facts. Reports must be made responsibly and supported by relevant information where possible.
JIKA will seek to avoid unnecessary disclosure of confidential information and will assess concerns objectively, regardless of the identity, institutional affiliation, or professional position of the individuals involved.
10. Relationship with Other JIKA Policies
This Allegations of Research Misconduct Policy should be read in conjunction with the following JIKA policies:
- Publication Malpractice Statement
- Research Ethics and Publication Policy
- Plagiarism Policy
- Authorship and Contributorship Policy
- Editorial Policy
- Post-Publication Discussion Policy
- Article Correction Notice
- Article Withdrawal and Retraction Policy
These policies collectively establish JIKA's framework for maintaining research integrity, responsible editorial decision-making, fair assessment of misconduct allegations, and protection of the scholarly record.
11. Policy Review and Editorial Responsibility
The JIKA editorial team is responsible for assessing allegations that fall within the journal's editorial authority and determining appropriate editorial action in accordance with this policy.
Where independent expertise or institutional investigation is required, JIKA may seek assistance from an appropriate external body.
This policy may be reviewed and updated when necessary to reflect changes in editorial practice, applicable research ethics requirements, and recognized scholarly publishing standards. The version published on the official JIKA website is the applicable version.
Policy Statement
Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan (JIKA) is committed to addressing allegations of research and publication misconduct through fair, confidential, impartial, and evidence-informed procedures. The journal seeks to uphold responsible research conduct, protect the rights of relevant parties, and maintain the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record.
Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan (JIKA)
Published by Sarana Ilmu Indonesia (Salnesia)
Website: https://salnesia.id/jika
Email: jika@salnesia.id