Allegations of Research Misconduct

Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan

Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan is a peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal published by Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu, Indonesia. The journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, academic honesty, scientific transparency, and publication ethics across nursing, midwifery, nutrition, public health, environmental health, reproductive health, health education, health promotion, and related health sciences.

The journal expects all authors, editors, reviewers, and other individuals involved in the publication process to adhere to responsible research practices and established ethical standards. Research misconduct and other practices that compromise the credibility, transparency, reliability, or ethical integrity of scholarly publications are not tolerated.

This policy establishes procedures for receiving, assessing, investigating, and addressing allegations of research misconduct associated with manuscripts submitted to or articles published in Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan.

The journal follows internationally recognized principles of research integrity and publication ethics, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other applicable research ethics standards.

1. Types of Research Misconduct

Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan considers the following practices to constitute research misconduct or potential violations of research and publication ethics:

Fabrication: Inventing research data, results, observations, participants, clinical cases, laboratory findings, or experimental procedures and presenting them as genuine research findings.
Falsification: Manipulating research materials, equipment, procedures, data, images, or results, or selectively altering or omitting information in a manner that misrepresents the research findings.
Plagiarism: Using another person's ideas, words, data, images, methods, or findings without appropriate acknowledgment, citation, or permission where required.
Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Submitting or publishing substantially similar research in more than one journal or publication without appropriate disclosure, justification, or acknowledgment of the previous publication.
Authorship Misconduct: Inappropriately including individuals who have not made qualifying scholarly contributions, excluding legitimate contributors, manipulating author order or affiliations dishonestly, or submitting inaccurate authorship information without proper agreement.
Citation Manipulation: Deliberately including irrelevant references, coercing authors to cite particular publications, or manipulating citations to artificially increase citation counts or journal metrics.
Peer-Review Manipulation: Providing false reviewer identities or contact details, creating fraudulent reviewer accounts, improperly influencing reviewers, or interfering with the confidentiality, independence, and integrity of the peer-review process.
Ethical Violations: Conducting research involving human participants, patients, identifiable personal information, human biological materials, or animals without required ethical approval, informed consent, or other applicable safeguards.
Data and Image Manipulation: Inappropriately altering, duplicating, fabricating, or selectively presenting research images, clinical photographs, diagnostic images, laboratory results, figures, tables, or other evidence in ways that misrepresent the underlying research.
Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose financial, professional, personal, or institutional relationships that could improperly influence research design, data interpretation, clinical recommendations, or the publication process.
Misrepresentation of Research: Providing false or misleading information about research methods, ethical approvals, informed consent, funding, clinical trial registration, data availability, study results, or the qualifications and contributions of the research team.
Misuse of Artificial Intelligence: Using artificial intelligence (AI) to fabricate or falsify research data, generate fictitious references, misrepresent scientific findings, manipulate research images, conceal plagiarism, or otherwise compromise research integrity.
Other Serious Ethical Violations: Any other conduct that seriously undermines research integrity, participant safety, scientific reliability, or the fairness and transparency of scholarly publishing.

Honest errors, differences in scientific interpretation, and methodological disagreements do not automatically constitute research misconduct. Each case will be assessed based on the available evidence, its context, and applicable ethical standards.

2. Reporting Suspected Research Misconduct

Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan encourages authors, reviewers, editors, readers, research institutions, research ethics committees, and other concerned parties to report suspected research misconduct.

Allegations should be supported, where possible, by relevant evidence, such as manuscript excerpts, published articles, research datasets, clinical or laboratory records, images, ethical approval documentation, correspondence, or other verifiable information.

Reports should be submitted to the journal's editorial office through its official communication channels. The report should clearly describe the suspected misconduct and identify the relevant manuscript, published article, research activity, or individuals involved, where known.

The journal will handle allegations responsibly, protect confidential information as far as reasonably possible, and take appropriate steps to prevent unnecessary harm to the individuals involved.

Anonymous allegations may be considered when sufficient information is provided to permit a reasonable assessment. The journal will not automatically treat an allegation as proven merely because it has been reported.

Reports submitted in good faith will be assessed objectively and fairly, regardless of the professional position, institutional affiliation, or academic status of the individuals concerned.

The journal will not make premature conclusions or publicly identify individuals as responsible for misconduct before the available evidence has been appropriately assessed.

3. Handling Allegations and Investigation Procedures

All allegations of research misconduct will be assessed objectively, fairly, and confidentially by the Editor-in-Chief and/or authorized members of the Editorial Board.

Individuals with relevant conflicts of interest will be excluded from the assessment or decision-making process to protect the independence and impartiality of the investigation.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the allegation, the journal may take the following steps:

Initial Assessment: Review the allegation and available evidence to determine whether it falls within the scope of research or publication misconduct and whether further investigation is warranted.
Evidence Examination: Examine the submitted manuscript, published article, similarity reports, research data, clinical or laboratory records, figures, ethical approval documentation, informed consent records, correspondence, or other relevant materials, as appropriate.
Request for Explanation: Contact the corresponding author or relevant authors, describe the concerns as appropriate, and provide an opportunity to explain the issues and submit supporting documentation.
Consultation with Experts: Seek advice from independent experts, reviewers, research ethics specialists, statisticians, or other qualified individuals when necessary, while managing potential conflicts of interest and protecting confidential information.
Institutional Referral: Contact the authors' affiliated institution, research ethics committee, funding agency, or other relevant authority when the allegation is serious, the evidence requires institutional investigation, or the journal lacks the authority or resources to establish the facts independently.
Editorial Decision: Assess the available evidence and determine the appropriate editorial action based on the findings, the seriousness of the concerns, and applicable publication ethics standards.

Authors will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations before an editorial decision is reached, except where immediate action is necessary to protect public health, research participants, patient safety, or the integrity of the scholarly record.

The journal will distinguish between an allegation, a concern under investigation, and a substantiated finding of misconduct.

An editorial investigation does not necessarily replace a formal investigation by the relevant research institution. Where institutional investigation is necessary, the journal may defer certain determinations until sufficient findings become available.

The duration and scope of an investigation may vary according to the complexity of the allegation, the availability of evidence, and the involvement of relevant institutions or experts.

4. Possible Editorial Actions

Depending on the nature, severity, and findings of the case, Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan may take one or more of the following actions:

Request clarification, additional documentation, or a formal response from the authors.
Require correction of inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information.
Return a manuscript for revision where the concerns can appropriately be resolved before publication.
Reject a manuscript when serious misconduct is established or the work fails to meet the journal's ethical requirements.
Suspend editorial processing while a significant concern is investigated.
Publish an Expression of Concern when substantial unresolved questions about a published article require readers to be informed.
Publish a correction or retract an article when necessary to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.
Notify the relevant institution, research ethics committee, funding agency, or other appropriate authority when warranted.
Take appropriate action concerning a compromised peer-review process, including replacing reviewers or repeating peer review when necessary.
Restrict further editorial consideration of submissions from individuals involved in substantiated misconduct when justified, proportionate, and consistent with applicable policies.

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the established facts and will be documented appropriately. A correction, Expression of Concern, or retraction notice will be linked to the affected article and made publicly accessible where applicable.

The journal will distinguish between honest errors that can be corrected and misconduct that compromises the validity, originality, or ethical integrity of the research.

A decision to reject or retract an article will be based on the seriousness of the established concerns and their implications for the scholarly record, rather than solely on the existence of an allegation.

5. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan will handle allegations with due regard for confidentiality, fairness, impartiality, and the rights of all parties involved.

Information will be shared only with individuals who need it for the assessment or investigation, subject to applicable legal, institutional, and ethical obligations.

The journal will seek to protect complainants, authors, reviewers, research participants, and other individuals from unnecessary disclosure, retaliation, and unfair treatment.

However, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when disclosure is required for a fair investigation, legal compliance, research ethics oversight, or consultation with the relevant institution or authority.

All parties are expected to cooperate in good faith, preserve relevant evidence, and provide accurate information throughout the investigation.

Knowingly submitting malicious or fabricated allegations may itself raise ethical concerns and will be assessed appropriately.

The journal will seek to ensure that allegations are not used to exert improper pressure on authors, reviewers, editors, or other researchers.

Decisions will be based on relevant evidence and appropriate procedures rather than personal relationships, institutional status, or other considerations unrelated to the substance of the allegation.

6. Research Involving Human Participants and Animals

For research involving human participants, patients, identifiable personal data, human biological materials, or animals, authors must comply with applicable ethical standards, institutional requirements, and relevant regulations.

Where required, manuscripts must include information about approval from a recognized research ethics committee or institutional review board, informed consent, confidentiality protections, and relevant animal research approvals.

Authors must ensure that research involving patients and other participants respects privacy, dignity, autonomy, safety, and applicable ethical requirements.

For research involving clinical trials, authors must provide trial registration information when applicable and comply with relevant reporting and ethical requirements.

The journal may request supporting documentation or contact the responsible research ethics committee, institution, or other relevant authority if concerns arise regarding ethical approval, informed consent, participant safety, data integrity, or research conduct.

Potential violations may include:

Conducting research without required ethical approval.
Providing false or misleading ethical approval information.
Failing to obtain required informed consent.
Inappropriately disclosing identifiable patient or participant information.
Fabricating or falsifying clinical observations, laboratory findings, or participant data.
Failing to comply with applicable safeguards for research involving animals.
Misrepresenting clinical trial registration, research procedures, or participant recruitment.

Failure to obtain required approval or consent, or the provision of false ethical approval information, may result in manuscript rejection, an investigation, or post-publication action where appropriate.

The journal will consider the nature of the research, the applicable ethical requirements, the available evidence, and the potential implications for participant safety and research integrity when determining the appropriate response.

7. Post-Publication Allegations

Allegations concerning articles that have already been published will be assessed with the same commitment to fairness, objectivity, confidentiality, and research integrity.

Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan may review the available evidence, request explanations from the authors, consult independent experts, and contact relevant institutions when necessary.

If concerns remain unresolved but are sufficiently serious, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern to inform readers while further assessment or investigation proceeds.

If substantial errors or misconduct are confirmed, the journal may issue a correction or retract the article, depending on the circumstances and the implications for the validity, reliability, or ethical integrity of the published research.

The journal may also update the publication record or take other appropriate measures in accordance with recognized publication ethics principles.

The purpose of post-publication action is to preserve the reliability, transparency, and accuracy of the scholarly record rather than to impose punishment without due process.

Any correction, Expression of Concern, or retraction will be documented transparently and linked to the affected article wherever applicable.

The journal will make reasonable efforts to ensure that relevant editorial notices remain accessible to readers and that the status of the affected publication is clearly communicated.

8. Appeals and Reconsideration

Authors or other directly affected parties who disagree with an editorial decision arising from a research misconduct investigation may submit a reasoned written appeal with relevant supporting evidence.

Appeals should clearly identify the decision being challenged, explain the grounds for reconsideration, and provide any additional documentation relevant to the case.

Appeals will be reviewed by an editor or authorized representative who was not directly responsible for the original decision, where reasonably possible.

The journal may uphold, modify, or reconsider its decision based on the evidence, procedural fairness, and applicable publication ethics standards.

Where necessary, the journal may seek additional independent advice or refer unresolved factual questions to the relevant research institution or authority.

An appeal does not automatically suspend necessary measures to protect public health, research participants, or the integrity of the scholarly record.

The journal will communicate the outcome of the appeal to the relevant parties and document the decision as appropriate.

9. Compliance with Publication Ethics Standards

Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan follows the principles and relevant recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other applicable research integrity and publication ethics standards when addressing suspected research misconduct.

The journal will apply these principles consistently, taking into account the nature of the allegation, the available evidence, the responsibilities of the parties involved, applicable ethical requirements, and the need to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

The Editorial Board is responsible for ensuring that allegations are handled fairly, that appropriate investigative procedures are followed, and that editorial actions are proportionate to the established findings.

Authors are responsible for conducting and reporting research honestly, complying with relevant ethical requirements, disclosing potential conflicts of interest, and cooperating with reasonable inquiries concerning the integrity of their work.

Editors and reviewers are expected to maintain confidentiality, impartiality, and professional integrity throughout the assessment and investigation process.

By submitting a manuscript to Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, authors acknowledge their responsibility to comply with this policy and the journal's other applicable publication ethics requirements.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to review and update this policy periodically to maintain consistency with developments in research integrity, publication ethics, and internationally recognized scholarly publishing standards.