Research Misconduct Policy

Didaktika Biologi: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Biologi is committed to maintaining research integrity and ethical standards in all scholarly publications. The journal does not tolerate research misconduct or any practices that compromise the credibility, accuracy, and reliability of scientific research.

This policy is developed with reference to the guidelines and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), particularly its guidance on handling suspected misconduct and publication ethics concerns.

01. Definition of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct refers to intentional or serious violations of accepted standards of research integrity in the planning, conducting, reporting, or publication of scholarly work. It includes practices that undermine the reliability, originality, and ethical validity of research findings.

The journal considers allegations of misconduct seriously and evaluates each case based on available evidence, relevant ethical standards, and the nature of the alleged violation.

02. Forms of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following practices:

A. Fabrication

Inventing data, observations, participants, experimental results, or research findings that were never obtained or conducted.

B. Falsification

Manipulating research materials, procedures, instruments, data, images, or results in a way that misrepresents the actual research process or findings.

C. Plagiarism

Using another person's ideas, words, data, research findings, or intellectual work without appropriate acknowledgment or attribution.

D. Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Publishing substantially similar research findings in multiple publications without appropriate disclosure, justification, or acknowledgment.

E. Authorship Misconduct

Inappropriate attribution of authorship, including gift authorship, ghost authorship, unauthorized changes in authorship, or failure to acknowledge legitimate contributors.

F. Manipulation of Research and Publication Processes

Manipulating peer review, citations, research images, figures, tables, or other scholarly materials to misrepresent research quality or findings.

G. Unethical Research Practices

Conducting research without required ethical approval or consent, misusing personal or confidential information, or failing to comply with applicable ethical standards for research involving human participants or animals.

03. Reporting Suspected Misconduct

Allegations of research misconduct may be submitted by authors, reviewers, editors, readers, research participants, or other concerned parties.

Reports should include, where available:

  • The title of the manuscript or published article.
  • A clear description of the suspected misconduct.
  • Relevant supporting evidence, such as documents, data, publications, or other verifiable information.
  • The identity and contact information of the reporting party, where possible.

Reports should be submitted to the journal's editorial office through its official communication channels. The journal will handle all reports confidentially and will not tolerate retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.

04. Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the editorial team will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the scope of research or publication misconduct and whether sufficient information is available for further examination.

The preliminary assessment may include:

  • Reviewing the reported evidence and relevant manuscript or publication.
  • Examining similarity reports, research data, figures, tables, and supporting documents where relevant.
  • Requesting clarification or additional information from the authors or reporting party.
  • Determining whether further investigation is necessary.

If the allegation is not supported by sufficient evidence, the journal may close the case while documenting the assessment and its rationale.

05. Investigation and Verification

When credible concerns remain, the journal may initiate a further investigation. The editorial team may request explanations, original research data, laboratory records, research instruments, ethical approval documents, consent records, or other relevant evidence.

Authors will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegations and provide supporting explanations or documentation.

Where necessary, the journal may contact the authors' affiliated institutions, research ethics committees, funding agencies, or other relevant authorities to request verification or further investigation.

The journal does not replace the formal investigative authority of research institutions. Its responsibility is to assess publication-related concerns and take appropriate action to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

06. Editorial Decision and Actions

Following the assessment or investigation, the editorial team will determine appropriate actions based on the available evidence, seriousness of the violation, and potential impact on the integrity of the research or publication.

Possible editorial actions include:

  • Requesting clarification or additional documentation.
  • Requiring correction or revision of the manuscript.
  • Rejecting a manuscript before publication.
  • Issuing a correction or an expression of concern for a published article.
  • Retracting a published article when the findings or publication integrity are seriously compromised.
  • Informing relevant institutions or authorities when necessary.

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the nature and severity of the misconduct. The journal will maintain appropriate documentation of the process and its decisions.

07. Fairness, Confidentiality, and Due Process

All allegations and investigations will be handled fairly, objectively, and confidentially. Individuals involved in the investigation must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Authors and other relevant parties will be given an appropriate opportunity to respond to allegations. The journal will avoid premature conclusions and will base its actions on available evidence and established ethical principles.

Information related to an investigation will only be shared with individuals or institutions who have a legitimate role in resolving the case.

08. Post-Publication Actions

If research misconduct is confirmed or significant concerns remain regarding a published article, the journal may take appropriate post-publication action to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

  • Correction: Issued when errors can be corrected without invalidating the overall findings or conclusions.
  • Expression of Concern: Issued when serious concerns exist but the available evidence is insufficient for a final determination.
  • Retraction: Issued when findings are unreliable due to significant errors, research misconduct, or other serious ethical violations.

All corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions will be clearly identified, linked to the original article, and made publicly accessible.

09. Reference to Ethical Guidelines

Didaktika Biologi refers to internationally recognized publication ethics standards, particularly the guidelines and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), in handling suspected research misconduct and publication ethics concerns.

Ethical Guidelines and References

Didaktika Biologi: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Biologi
Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang