Allegations of Misconduct

JPT, is committed to maintaining the integrity, reliability, and transparency of the scholarly record. JPT follows the COPE Core Practices and relevant COPE guidelines and flowcharts when handling allegations of research or publication misconduct. This policy applies to manuscripts under consideration, published articles, peer-review activities, and the conduct of authors, editors, reviewers, and journal personnel.

Types of Misconduct

Research or publication misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

• plagiarism, text recycling, or duplicate publication;
• fabrication, falsification, or misleading manipulation of data or images;
• inappropriate, fabricated, purchased, or undisclosed authorship;
• submission without the knowledge or approval of legitimate authors;
• manipulated peer review or false reviewer identities;
• citation manipulation;
• undisclosed competing interests;
• unethical research or absence of required ethical approval, informed consent, permits, or regulatory authorization;
• unauthorized use of confidential, copyrighted, or proprietary material;
• breaches of manuscript or reviewer confidentiality;
• fabrication of references, ethical approvals, permits, or research records;
• paper-mill activity; and
• misuse of artificial intelligence that compromises the originality, accuracy, or integrity of the work.

Reporting an Allegation

Allegations may be submitted by authors, reviewers, readers, institutions, funding organizations, ethics committees, or other parties. Reports should be sent through email: jpt@agr.unand.ac.id.

A report should include, when available:

• the title, authors, DOI, or manuscript identification number;
• a clear description of the concern;
• the relevant section, figure, table, data, or publication;
• the source of any suspected overlap; and
• supporting evidence or documentation.

Anonymous reports may be considered when they contain sufficient specific and verifiable information.

Confidentiality

JPT will handle allegations confidentially and share information only with persons or organizations whose involvement is necessary for a fair assessment. The identity of a person reporting a concern will be protected as far as reasonably possible, subject to applicable legal requirements, the needs of a fair investigation, and the prevention of serious harm. Editors and other persons with a competing interest must not participate in the assessment or decision-making process.

Assessment Procedure

Upon receiving an allegation, JPT will conduct an initial editorial assessment to determine:

• whether the concern falls within the journal’s responsibility;
• whether sufficient information or evidence has been provided;
• whether an immediate editorial action is necessary; and
• whether the matter should be referred to an institution or other competent authority.

JPT may:

1. request clarification or supporting documentation from the person reporting the concern;
2. inform the authors or other persons concerned and provide them with a reasonable opportunity to respond;
3. request original data, images, laboratory records, ethical approvals, permits, authorship documentation, or other research records;
4. consult independent experts;
5. suspend editorial processing while the concern is assessed;
6. contact the relevant institution, ethics committee, funding organization, publisher, or competent authority; and
7. preserve relevant editorial records and communications.

JPT does not normally replace a formal institutional investigation into research misconduct. When such an investigation is required, the journal may refer the matter to the appropriate institution while taking any editorial action necessary to protect readers and the scholarly record. When an allegation concerns the Editor-in-Chief, the case will be handled by the publisher or an independent senior editor appointed by the publisher.

Allegations Before Publication

When a credible concern is raised before publication, JPT may suspend editorial processing while the matter is assessed. Depending on the evidence and seriousness of the concern, JPT may:

• request clarification or manuscript revision;
• require appropriate citation, acknowledgment, or disclosure;
• request supporting data or documentation;
• decline to send the manuscript for peer review;
• reject the manuscript;
• notify the relevant institution or authority; or
• take another proportionate editorial action.

Allegations After Publication

When a credible concern is raised after publication, JPT will assess its effect on the accuracy, reliability, ethical acceptability, or integrity of the published article. JPT may:

• request clarification or supporting evidence;
• publish a correction;
• publish an Expression of Concern while an investigation is ongoing;
• retract the article;
• remove content only in exceptional legal, privacy, or safety circumstances; or
• issue another appropriate public notice.

Post-publication actions will be taken in accordance with JPT’s Corrections and Retraction Policy.

Editorial Actions

Depending on the available evidence, seriousness of the concern, and responsibility of the persons involved, JPT may:

• request an explanation or supporting documentation;
• require manuscript revision;
• suspend or discontinue editorial processing;
• reject a manuscript;
• publish a correction or Expression of Concern;
• retract an article;
• notify the relevant institution, ethics committee, funder, publisher, or authority;
• restrict an individual’s future involvement as an author, reviewer, or editor for a defined period; or
• take another action necessary to protect the scholarly record.

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the evidence and circumstances. They will not be based solely on a similarity score, AI-detection result, anonymous accusation, or unverified allegation.

Communication and Public Notices

JPT will communicate relevant findings and decisions to the parties directly involved. The journal will not normally publish confidential investigation files, personal information, or the complete investigation process. When public notification is necessary to protect the scholarly record, JPT may publish a correction, Expression of Concern, retraction notice, removal notice, or another appropriate statement while maintaining confidentiality as far as reasonably possible.

Reconsideration and Complaints

A person directly affected by an editorial action may request reconsideration when they identify a significant factual, procedural, or evidentiary error. The request must clearly explain the grounds for reconsideration and provide relevant supporting evidence. Whenever practicable, the request will be reviewed by an editor or qualified person who was not solely responsible for the original decision.

Editorial appeals concerning manuscript acceptance or rejection are handled in accordance with JPT’s Publication Ethics.

Record Keeping

JPT will maintain confidential records of allegations, supporting evidence, correspondence, assessments, referrals, and editorial actions. Public notices will be issued only when necessary to correct or protect the scholarly record.