Allegation of Misconduct

Jurnal Proteksi Tanaman (Journal of Plant Protection) or JPT upholds the highest standards of integrity and ethics in scientific publishing. This policy outlines the procedures for handling allegations of research or publication misconduct. JPT takes all allegations seriously, whether they arise before or after publication, and follows a fair and impartial investigation process. The journal adheres to the Core Practices outlined in COPE’s Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

Types of Misconduct

Allegations of misconduct may include, but are not limited to:

  • Plagiarism: Copying or using another person's work, ideas, or intellectual property without proper attribution.
  • Fabrication: Creating false or fictitious data or results.
  • Falsification: Manipulating or altering data or research findings to misrepresent outcomes.
  • Authorship Misconduct: Improper attribution of authorship, including guest or honorary authorship.
  • Conflict of Interest: Failure to disclose relevant financial, personal, or professional relationships that may influence research findings.
  • Research Violations: Breaches of ethical or research integrity standards.

Reporting Allegations

Allegations of misconduct may be reported by authors, reviewers, readers, or any individual who believes that research misconduct or unethical practices have occurred.

Whistleblower Protection

JPT recognizes the importance of protecting whistleblowers who report misconduct in good faith. Their identities will remain confidential and be safeguarded throughout the investigative process.

Investigation Process

Upon receiving an allegation, JPT will initiate a fair and thorough investigation. The process may involve consulting relevant experts, examining original data, and seeking clarification from involved parties.

Pre-Publication Allegations

If misconduct is suspected before publication, the editorial board may decide to delay publication until the investigation is concluded.

Post-Publication Allegations

If misconduct is identified after publication, JPT will conduct a post-publication review to assess the validity of the allegations and take appropriate actions if misconduct is confirmed.

Corrective Actions

If misconduct is substantiated, JPT may implement the following corrective measures:

  • Retraction of the article.
  • Issuance of corrections or errata.
  • In severe cases, sanctions against responsible authors or contributors.
  • Notification of the relevant institution or regulatory authority.

Communication and Transparency

JPT will communicate the investigation findings to the complainant, accused individuals, and affected parties. The journal will also ensure transparency by making the investigation process and outcomes publicly accessible.

Complaint and Appeal Process

JPT is committed to providing a fair and transparent process for handling complaints and appeals. Complaints may include, but are not limited to:

  • Allegations of research misconduct or ethical violations in a published article.
  • Claims of bias or unfair treatment by the journal's editorial board or staff.
  • Disputes related to the peer-review process.
  • Allegations of copyright infringement or plagiarism.
  • Concerns about undisclosed conflicts of interest.

Filing a Complaint

Authors, reviewers, readers, or other stakeholders may submit complaints via JPT's contact email. Complaints should include the complainant's contact details, a detailed description of the issue, and any supporting documentation.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

JPT ensures the confidentiality of complainants and individuals involved in the complaint investigation. Complaints will be handled discreetly, and personal information will only be disclosed to those directly involved in the investigation.

Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving a complaint, JPT will conduct an initial assessment to determine its validity and seriousness. If the complaint falls outside the scope of this policy, the complainant will be notified and, if appropriate, directed to the relevant authority.

Investigation Process

The JPT editorial board will conduct a thorough investigation if the complaint is deemed valid. This process may include gathering additional information, consulting relevant parties, and reviewing supporting documents.

Editorial and Publisher Involvement

If the complaint involves the editorial board or publisher, JPT will ensure that those individuals do not participate in the investigation to maintain impartiality.

Resolution and Communication

JPT aims to resolve complaints promptly. Once the investigation is complete, the complainant will be informed of the findings and any actions taken in response.

Appeals

If a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the initial investigation, they may submit an appeal. The appeal must clearly state the reasons for challenging the decision and provide additional supporting evidence.

Handling Appeals

JPT will establish an independent appeal committee comprising individuals not previously involved in the complaint investigation. The committee will reassess the case impartially.

Final Decision

The decision of the appeal committee will be final. JPT will communicate the outcome to the complainant and comprehensively explain the decision.

Public Transparency

To maintain accountability, JPT will keep records of all complaints received, including their resolutions and any actions taken. Anonymous summaries of these records will be publicly available on the journal's website while upholding privacy and confidentiality.

Policy Review

JPT will periodically review and update this policy to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with best practices. Any revisions will be promptly communicated to stakeholders and published on the journal's website.