Research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, citation manipulation, and other serious breaches of research and publication ethics. The journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record.
All allegations of research misconduct will be handled fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Upon receiving an allegation, the Editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine its credibility and relevance. The corresponding author will be given an opportunity to respond, and additional expert review may be sought when necessary.
If misconduct is identified in a submitted manuscript, the manuscript may be rejected. If misconduct is confirmed in a published article, the journal will take appropriate action, which may include a correction, an expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the severity and nature of the case.
The journal may contact the authors' affiliated institutions or other relevant parties when further investigation is required. Authors, editors, reviewers, and institutions are expected to cooperate in resolving allegations and upholding publication ethics.
All decisions will be based on the available evidence, with due consideration for fairness and the protection of the integrity of the scholarly record. The journal reserves the right to take further action in accordance with applicable ethical standards and publication policies.
