Allegations of Research Misconduct

PrimA · Publication Ethics

Allegations of Research Misconduct

 

PrimA is committed to maintaining research integrity, publication ethics, transparency, and fairness in the handling of allegations of research misconduct.

Our Commitment

Protecting the integrity of scholarly publishing

PrimA: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Kesehatan takes allegations of research misconduct seriously. All concerns relating to the integrity of submitted or published manuscripts will be assessed fairly, confidentially, and objectively, with due consideration for the rights of all parties involved.

The journal follows applicable publication ethics principles and relevant institutional procedures when addressing suspected misconduct. The aim is to establish the facts, protect the integrity of the scholarly record, and ensure that appropriate action is taken when a concern is substantiated.

What We Assess

Examples of Research Misconduct

Concerns may include, but are not limited to, the following practices.

 
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Fabrication

Making up data, results, participants, or research findings and reporting them as if they were genuine.

 
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Falsification

Manipulating research materials, methods, data, images, or results in ways that misrepresent the research record.

 
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Plagiarism

Using another person's words, ideas, data, or work without appropriate acknowledgment or attribution.

 
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Other Ethical Breaches

Other serious breaches may include undisclosed conflicts of interest, inappropriate authorship, duplicate publication, manipulated peer review, or breaches of research ethics.

Step 01

Reporting a Concern

Any reader, author, reviewer, editor, institution, or other concerned party may report suspected research or publication misconduct to the journal's editorial team.

Reports should provide a clear description of the concern and, where possible, supporting evidence such as relevant documents, publication details, data, or other verifiable information. Reports should be made in good faith and should avoid unsupported accusations.

Step 02–04

Assessment and Investigation Procedure

01

Initial Assessment

The editorial team evaluates whether the allegation falls within the journal's remit and whether sufficient information is available to justify further inquiry.

02

Communication with Relevant Parties

Where appropriate, the journal may contact the author or other relevant parties to request clarification, supporting materials, or a response to the concern.

03

Further Inquiry

If necessary, the journal may seek advice from independent experts, the relevant institution, or other appropriate bodies. The journal recognizes that formal investigations into research misconduct may fall within the responsibility of the author's institution or another competent authority.

04

Decision and Follow-up

Following an appropriate assessment, the journal determines what action, if any, is warranted based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the concern, and applicable publication ethics standards.

Editorial Response

Possible Actions

Depending on the findings and the stage of publication, possible actions may include:

  • Requesting corrections, explanations, or additional evidence.
  • Rejecting a manuscript when serious concerns are substantiated.
  • Issuing a correction, expression of concern, or retraction for a published article, where justified.
  • Informing the relevant institution, publisher, or appropriate authority when necessary.
  • Taking other proportionate steps to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Fairness and Confidentiality

Allegations are handled as confidentially as reasonably possible. All parties should be treated fairly, and no conclusion of misconduct should be drawn solely from an allegation. Information may be shared when necessary for a proper assessment or investigation.

Protection of the Scholarly Record

Editorial decisions are based on the available evidence and applicable ethical standards. Any action concerning a published article should be proportionate, transparent where appropriate, and consistent with publication ethics principles.