Allegation of Research Misconduct

Heritage: Journal of Social Studies is committed to maintaining academic integrity, scientific honesty, transparency, and accountability throughout the publication process. The journal responds to any alleged violation of research and publication ethics seriously, objectively, fairly, and confidentially, in accordance with the principles of scientific publication ethics and the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Types of Violations

Alleged violations of research and publication ethics may include, but are not limited to:

a) Plagiarism, including the use of another party's work, ideas, data, or writings without proper attribution.

b) Data fabrication and falsification, namely creating data that was never obtained or manipulating data and research results.

c) Dual publication and redundant publication, including the republishing of the same substance without appropriate disclosure and approval.

d) Authorship violations, including the inclusion of authors who do not meet the criteria or the omission of authorized authors.

e) Research ethics violations, including research involving humans or animals without the required ethical approval.

f) Manipulation of citations and the review process, including fabricating references, the identities of peer reviewers, or the scientific evaluation process.

g) Misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), including its use to generate false data or references, disguise plagiarism, or engage in other actions that violate academic integrity.

h) Undisclosed conflicts of interest, if they have the potential to impact research integrity or editorial decisions.

2. Reporting Alleged Misconduct

Alleged misconduct may be reported by authors, readers, peer reviewers, editors, academic institutions, or other parties with relevant information.

Reports should be submitted to the editor or manager of Heritage: Journal of Social Studies through the official contact listed on the journal's website. Reporters are encouraged to include their identity and contact information, information about the relevant article or research, a description of the alleged misconduct, and any available supporting evidence.

The journal may also initiate investigations into alleged misconduct discovered through the editorial process, peer review, publication monitoring, or other credible sources. Reports will be handled with care to protect confidentiality and prevent unfounded accusations.

3. Examination Procedure

Every report or alleged violation is handled through the following stages:

a) Initial examination: The editor assesses the relevance of the report, the sufficiency of the information, and the initial available evidence.

b) Evidence collection: The editor may review the manuscript, research data, ethical approval documents, publication history, similarity reports, correspondence, and other relevant evidence.

c) Request for clarification: The author or relevant party is given a reasonable opportunity to provide explanations and supporting evidence.

d) Evaluation: The editor objectively assesses the evidence, considering the seriousness, context, impact, and likelihood of the violation.

e) Consultation or referral: If necessary, the journal may consult with other editors, independent experts, or the author's affiliated institution. The journal does not override the authority of the institution in investigating violations beyond its jurisdiction.

Parties with a conflict of interest in the case should not be involved in the decision-making process.

4. Actions Regarding Violations

Actions are determined based on the results of the examination and the seriousness of the violation, taking into account the principles of fairness and proportionality. Actions may include:

a) Requesting clarification, correction, or correction of errors that can be corrected without compromising the primary integrity of the research.

b) Rejecting manuscripts that are in the editorial process if violations are proven.

c) Suspending the editorial process during the review process.

d) Issuing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions to published articles, based on the review results.

e) Notifying the author's institution or relevant authorities, if necessary and in accordance with applicable procedures.

f) Limiting submission periods for a specific period if there is a strong basis for this and the action is proportionate to the proven violation.

The journal will not impose sanctions solely based on unverified allegations. Decisions must be supported by sufficient evidence and documented in the editorial notes.

5. Corrections and Retractions of Published Articles

If misconduct is discovered after publication, Heritage: Journal of Social Studies will determine corrective action based on the impact of the violation on the reliability and integrity of the article.

Corrections are applied to correct errors that do not undermine the overall reliability of the findings. A statement of concern may be issued when serious concerns are still under review. A retraction is issued when the proven misconduct or error substantially undermines the reliability of the article or if there are other ethical reasons for doing so.

Correction or retraction notices must transparently explain the reasons for the action, identify the relevant article, and link to the original article. A publication record is maintained so readers can be informed of the status of the article and the reasons for the corrective action.

6. Confidentiality, Whistleblower Protection, and Documentation

The journal maintains the confidentiality of the identity of the whistleblower and any relevant parties to the extent permitted by the review process and applicable regulations. Information is shared only with those who need to know to handle the case appropriately.

The journal does not condone intimidation or retaliation against whistleblowers who submit allegations in good faith. Reports that are proven to contain intentionally false information will be handled according to applicable procedures.

All stages of the review, relevant evidence, communications, decisions, and corrective actions are adequately documented to support editorial accountability.

7. Commitment to Publication Integrity

Heritage: Journal of Social Studies is committed to handling any suspected violations of research and publication ethics responsibly. The journal will take appropriate action against proven violations, including corrections or retractions where necessary, to maintain the reliability of its scientific publication record.

This policy applies to all submitted manuscripts and articles published by Heritage: Journal of Social Studies.