Allegation of Research Misconduct
Fair Assessment
All allegations are assessed carefully and impartially, based on available information.
Confidentiality
Information is handled discreetly and shared only with relevant parties as appropriate.
Due Process
Authors and other relevant parties are given a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Commitment to Research Integrity
The Journal of Computer Science Artificial Intelligence and Communications (JOCSAIC) expects authors, reviewers, editors, and other contributors to uphold accepted standards of academic integrity and publication ethics.
Allegations of research misconduct involving submitted or published manuscripts will be assessed seriously. The journal seeks to establish the relevant facts, protect the integrity of the scholarly record, and treat all parties fairly. An allegation alone does not establish that misconduct has occurred.
Examples of Research Misconduct
Allegations may concern, but are not limited to, the following forms of misconduct:
Fabrication
Making up data, experiments, results, or research records and reporting them as genuine.
Falsification
Manipulating research materials, data, images, methods, or results in a way that misrepresents the research record.
Plagiarism
Using others' words, ideas, data, or work without appropriate acknowledgment.
Authorship Misconduct
Misrepresenting authorship, omitting eligible contributors, or including individuals who do not meet applicable authorship criteria.
Duplicate Publication
Submitting or publishing substantially overlapping work without appropriate disclosure or justification.
Undisclosed Conflicts
Failing to disclose relevant competing interests or other information that may affect the integrity of the work.
Image or Data Manipulation
Misleading alteration or presentation of images, datasets, figures, or other research evidence.
Other Ethical Breaches
Other serious breaches of research or publication ethics that may compromise the reliability of the scholarly record.
How to Report a Concern
Anyone who has a reasonable, good-faith concern about possible research misconduct involving a JOCSAIC submission or published article may contact the journal's editorial office.
- The title of the manuscript or published article.
- The DOI or article URL, if available.
- A clear description of the concern and the specific conduct in question.
- Relevant evidence, documents, data, references, or links that support the allegation.
- The reporter's contact information, if they wish to receive follow-up communication.
Reports should be factual and submitted in good faith. The journal may request further information when necessary to assess the concern.
How Allegations Are Handled
Receipt and Initial Assessment
The editorial office records the concern and assesses whether it falls within the journal's remit and contains sufficient information for further consideration.
Preliminary Review of Evidence
The editor reviews the available evidence and may consult appropriate editorial advisers or independent experts when needed.
Response from Relevant Parties
Where appropriate, the author or other relevant party is informed of the concern and given a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Further Inquiry or Referral
If the matter requires formal investigation beyond the journal's authority, the editor may refer it to the relevant institution, employer, funder, or other appropriate body.
Decision and Appropriate Action
After considering the available evidence and responses, the journal determines the appropriate editorial action within its authority and communicates the outcome to relevant parties when appropriate.
Protection of All Parties
Confidential Handling
Information about allegations is handled discreetly and disclosed only when necessary for assessment, investigation, or appropriate action.
Presumption of Fairness
An allegation is not proof of misconduct. Conclusions should be based on evidence and a fair assessment.
Good-Faith Reporting
Reports should be made honestly and responsibly. Deliberately false or malicious allegations may themselves raise ethical concerns.
Conflict of Interest
Individuals involved in assessing a case should disclose relevant conflicts and avoid participating where impartiality may be compromised.
Possible Outcomes and Corrective Actions
Depending on the evidence, seriousness, and nature of the matter, and subject to the journal's authority and applicable policies, possible actions may include:
- Requesting clarification, supporting data, corrections, or additional documentation.
- Rejecting a manuscript when serious ethical or integrity concerns are substantiated or remain unresolved.
- Publishing a correction or clarification where the scholarly record requires it.
- Publishing an expression of concern when significant questions remain unresolved and public notification is warranted.
- Retracting a published article when justified by the evidence and applicable retraction policy.
- Referring the matter to an author's institution, research organization, funder, or other appropriate body when necessary.
Actions are determined on a case-by-case basis. The journal will not treat an allegation alone as sufficient grounds for a finding of misconduct.
Submit a Research Integrity Concern
Reports concerning a JOCSAIC submission or published article should be directed to the journal's editorial office through the official journal website. Include the article title, DOI or URL where available, a description of the concern, and supporting evidence.
Visit the JOCSAIC Website ↗Please use the official contact information listed on the journal website. Avoid including unnecessary sensitive personal information in a report.
