Allegation of research misconduct

Purpose J-STAF: Siddiq, Tabligh, Amanah, Fathonah is committed to upholding research integrity, publication ethics, and the reliability of the scholarly record concerning Islamic Education Management. J-STAF strictly follows the ethical principles and publication guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

This policy aims to prevent, identify, and address allegations of research and publication misconduct in a fair, objective, transparent, and consistent manner. This policy applies to all parties involved in the J-STAF publication ecosystem, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

Types of Misconduct Research and publication misconduct may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Plagiarism: The use of another person's ideas, words, data, images, or work without appropriate attribution or acknowledgment constitutes misconduct. Authors must provide accurate citations and references for all sources used.

  2. Fabrication and Falsification of Data: Fabrication is the creation or invention of data, results, or research information that does not actually exist. Falsification includes manipulating, altering, omitting, or misrepresenting research data or results in a manner that misleads the scholarly record.

  3. Citation Manipulation: Citations must be relevant, accurate, and used to support the scholarly content of an article. Citation manipulation, including the use of irrelevant citations, coercive citation practices, or practices intended improperly to increase citation counts, is not permitted.

  4. Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Authors must not publish the same or substantially similar work in more than one journal without appropriate justification and disclosure. Simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals is strictly prohibited.

  5. Salami Slicing: Dividing a single research study into multiple publications with substantial overlap without adequate scholarly justification. Such practices may fragment research findings and distort the scholarly record.

  6. Authorship Misconduct: Authorship must accurately reflect substantial contributions to the work. Practices such as guest authorship, gift authorship, ghost authorship, or omission of eligible contributors constitute authorship-related misconduct.

  7. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect the objectivity of the research, peer-review process, or editorial decision-making.

  8. Peer-Review Manipulation: Any attempt to improperly influence or manipulate the peer-review process, including the use of fabricated reviewer identities or review collusion, is prohibited.

  9. Image or Research Material Manipulation: Manipulation of images, visualizations, or other research materials that alters or misrepresents the interpretation of research findings constitutes misconduct.

Reporting Allegations of Misconduct Any reader, author, reviewer, or editor who has reasonable grounds to suspect research or publication misconduct in a manuscript under editorial consideration or in a published article may report the concern to the J-STAF editorial office.

Reports should be made in good faith and include relevant, verifiable information or supporting evidence. Reports that lack reasonable grounds or are submitted with the intention of improperly harming another party may not be pursued. A report should, where possible, include:

  • The identity or bibliographic information of the manuscript or article.

  • A description of the alleged misconduct.

  • Supporting evidence or data.

  • Relevant sources or documents.

J-STAF will maintain the confidentiality of allegations and related information to the extent permitted by applicable requirements.

Handling Allegations of Misconduct All allegations will undergo an initial assessment by the Editor-in-Chief to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for further action. The editor may request additional evidence and, where appropriate, seek an independent opinion from reviewers or qualified experts.

J-STAF will apply principles of procedural fairness. The person(s) concerned will be given a reasonable opportunity to provide an explanation. J-STAF will not conclude that an individual has committed misconduct solely on the basis of an allegation.

  • For manuscripts under consideration: The editor may request an explanation from the author(s). If the explanation is unsatisfactory or misconduct is admitted, J-STAF may reject the manuscript and, if necessary, contact the author's affiliated institution following COPE guidance.

  • For published articles: J-STAF may request an explanation, seek expert opinion, and contact the author's institution. If an honest error is identified, a Correction may be published. If misconduct such as data fabrication or severe plagiarism is established, J-STAF will publish a Retraction in accordance with relevant COPE guidelines.

Possible Actions Depending on the nature, seriousness, and outcome of the case, J-STAF may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Request clarification or correction from the author(s).

  • Request revision or reject the manuscript.

  • Publish a Correction, Expression of Concern, or Retraction.

  • Suspend or terminate the editorial process.

  • Contact the author's affiliated institution or relevant authority.

Reporting Allegations of Misconduct: Reports may be submitted to the Principal Contact or Editor-in-Chief of J-STAF via the official journal email address. Complainants are encouraged to provide full details and supporting evidence.