Allegations of Misconduct

The International Journal of Research in STEM Education (IJRSE) is committed to maintaining the integrity, reliability, and credibility of the scholarly record. The journal takes all allegations of research and publication misconduct seriously and addresses them through a fair, confidential, evidence-based, and transparent editorial process.

IJRSE follows recognized principles of publication ethics and, where appropriate, refers to guidance and procedures established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in assessing and responding to allegations of misconduct.

1. Scope of Research and Publication Misconduct

Research and publication misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

  • fabrication or falsification of data, evidence, or research findings;

  • plagiarism or inappropriate textual overlap;

  • duplicate or redundant publication;

  • inappropriate authorship or undisclosed authorship contributions;

  • citation manipulation;

  • manipulation of the peer review or editorial process;

  • undisclosed conflicts of interest;

  • unethical research practices or failure to obtain required ethical approval;

  • inappropriate manipulation of images, figures, or other research materials;

  • misrepresentation of research methods, results, or sources;

  • misuse of confidential information obtained through peer review; and

  • other practices that compromise the integrity of research or the scholarly publication process.

Allegations may concern manuscripts under consideration, published articles, authors, reviewers, editors, or other individuals participating in the journal's editorial process.

2. Reporting an Allegation

Concerns regarding possible research or publication misconduct may be reported to the editorial office of IJRSE.

An allegation should, whenever possible, identify the manuscript or published article concerned and provide sufficient information or supporting evidence to enable an initial assessment.

IJRSE will consider allegations on their merits. Anonymous allegations may also be considered when they contain sufficiently specific and credible information that can reasonably be assessed.

3. Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine:

  • whether the allegation falls within the journal's editorial responsibility;

  • whether sufficient information or evidence exists to warrant further examination;

  • whether the matter potentially constitutes research or publication misconduct; and

  • whether any editor involved in handling the matter has a relevant conflict of interest.

An allegation will not be treated as established misconduct solely on the basis of a complaint. Editorial action will be based on available evidence and an appropriate assessment of the circumstances.

4. Investigation and Right of Response

Where an allegation warrants further examination, IJRSE may contact the corresponding author and, where appropriate, other authors or relevant parties to request an explanation, clarification, supporting documentation, original data, ethical approval documentation, or other materials necessary to assess the concern.

Individuals against whom concerns have been raised will normally be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before a substantive editorial decision is made.

When specialized expertise is required, the journal may seek confidential advice from independent experts. Any expert involved in the assessment should be free from conflicts of interest relevant to the case.

5. Confidentiality and Fairness

Allegations of misconduct will be handled as confidentially and impartially as reasonably possible.

Information concerning an allegation will normally be shared only with individuals whose involvement is necessary for its assessment, investigation, or resolution.

Editors and other individuals handling an allegation must disclose relevant conflicts of interest. Where a conflict exists, responsibility for the case should be transferred to another appropriate editor or independent person.

IJRSE will seek to avoid both unsupported accusations and premature conclusions while ensuring that credible concerns are appropriately investigated.

6. Editorial Actions for Submitted Manuscripts

If concerns arise while a manuscript is under consideration, the editorial process may be suspended while the matter is assessed.

Depending on the nature and severity of the findings, editorial action may include:

  • requesting clarification or additional documentation;

  • requesting correction or revision of the manuscript;

  • terminating the peer review process;

  • rejecting the manuscript; or

  • referring the matter to the authors' institution or another appropriate authority when further investigation falls outside the journal's competence.

The appropriate response will depend on the evidence, seriousness of the concern, and potential effect on the integrity of the research and publication process.

7. Actions Concerning Published Articles

When a credible concern involves an article that has already been published, IJRSE will assess whether the scholarly record requires amendment.

Depending on the circumstances and findings, the journal may take appropriate post-publication action, including:

  • publishing a correction;

  • issuing an expression of concern where serious unresolved questions remain;

  • retracting the article when its findings or publication record are no longer considered reliable; or

  • taking other appropriate measures necessary to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Any correction, expression of concern, or retraction will be clearly identified and appropriately linked to the original article to preserve transparency and the publication history.

8. Cooperation with Institutions and Other Authorities

IJRSE recognizes that journals generally do not have the authority or resources to conduct institutional investigations into research misconduct.

When an allegation requires access to information, research records, or investigative authority beyond the journal's responsibility, IJRSE may refer the matter to the relevant university, research institution, funding organization, ethics body, or other competent authority.

The journal may cooperate with institutional investigations where appropriate while retaining responsibility for decisions concerning its own published scholarly record.

9. Protection of the Scholarly Record

The primary purpose of investigating allegations of misconduct is to protect the accuracy, reliability, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record.

Editorial responses will therefore be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the issue and will distinguish, where appropriate, between deliberate misconduct, honest error, disputed interpretation, and matters that can be resolved through correction or clarification.

IJRSE will take appropriate editorial action when credible evidence demonstrates that the reliability or integrity of a manuscript or published article has been compromised.

10. Commitment to Research Integrity

IJRSE expects authors, reviewers, editors, and other contributors to uphold high standards of research and publication ethics.

The journal is committed to addressing allegations of misconduct through procedures based on due process, confidentiality, impartiality, evidence, appropriate opportunity to respond, and protection of the scholarly record.

Where appropriate, IJRSE will follow relevant COPE guidance and cooperate with institutions or other competent authorities to ensure that concerns affecting the integrity of published research are appropriately addressed.