Allegation of Research Misconduct

Policy Statement

Jurnal Literasi Pendidikan Fisika (JLPF) takes allegations of research and publication misconduct seriously. The journal is committed to handling such allegations fairly, objectively, confidentially, and in a timely manner, while respecting the rights of all parties involved.

Allegations may concern manuscripts under review, accepted manuscripts, or articles that have already been published in JLPF.

Types of Misconduct

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

• Plagiarism: using another person's words, ideas, data, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgment.
• Fabrication: inventing research data, results, or records and presenting them as genuine.
• Falsification: manipulating research materials, procedures, data, or results so that the research record is misleading.
• Image or data manipulation: inappropriately altering images, figures, or datasets in a way that misrepresents the findings.
• Duplicate publication or redundant submission: publishing substantially overlapping work or submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals without appropriate disclosure.
• Authorship misconduct: misrepresenting authorship, including inappropriate attribution or omission of eligible contributors.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest: failing to disclose interests that could improperly influence the research or its evaluation.
• Other ethical violations: serious breaches of applicable research ethics, including relevant requirements for research involving human participants or other protected subjects.

Submitting an Allegation

Concerns about possible research or publication misconduct may be reported to the Editor-in-Chief or the journal's editorial office. Reports should provide sufficient information for the concern to be assessed, including, where available:

1. a clear description of the suspected misconduct;
2. the title, DOI, manuscript reference, or other information identifying the work concerned;
3. supporting evidence, such as relevant documents, publication links, data, or comparison material; and
4. contact information for follow-up, if the reporting party is willing to provide it.

Reports should be made in good faith and provide specific, verifiable information wherever possible. The journal will assess the substance of a report rather than relying solely on the identity or status of the person making it.

Reports may be sent to the journal's editorial office at jlpf@fkip.unmul.ac.id.

Assessment and Investigation

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's remit and whether sufficient information is available to proceed.

Where further examination is warranted, the journal may:

1. review the manuscript, publication record, data, and supporting evidence;
2. use appropriate verification tools or seek independent expert advice;
3. request an explanation or response from the relevant authors or other parties;
4. consult the author's institution, research organization, funder, or other appropriate body when necessary; and
5. consider additional evidence before reaching an editorial decision.

The process will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the allegation. The journal does not treat an allegation as proof of misconduct. All relevant evidence and responses will be considered before an editorial conclusion is reached.

Confidentiality and Fairness

Allegations will be handled as confidentially as reasonably possible. Information will be shared only with individuals or organizations whose involvement is necessary for a fair assessment or investigation, subject to applicable obligations.

Individuals who are the subject of an allegation will normally be given an appropriate opportunity to respond to the concerns before a final editorial decision is made, except where immediate action is necessary to protect the scholarly record or comply with applicable obligations.

Editors involved in a potential conflict of interest will not lead the assessment or decision-making process. The journal will seek to minimize bias and protect the integrity of the process.

Possible Outcomes and Editorial Actions

Depending on the evidence, seriousness, and stage of publication, possible outcomes may include:

• closing the case when the allegation is not substantiated;
• requesting clarification, correction, or additional documentation;
• rejecting a manuscript when serious misconduct is established;
• publishing a correction or an expression of concern when appropriate;
• retracting a published article when the reliability or integrity of the scholarly record is seriously compromised; or
• referring the matter to an author's institution, research organization, funder, or other appropriate body when further investigation or action is required.

The journal will select actions proportionate to the findings and consistent with its editorial responsibilities. Where appropriate, post-publication notices will explain the reason for the action while respecting confidentiality and applicable obligations.

False or Malicious Allegations

JLPF recognizes that allegations may be mistaken or unsupported. A report that is not substantiated will not, by itself, be treated as evidence of misconduct by the person who submitted it. However, knowingly fabricated evidence or demonstrably malicious conduct may be addressed where appropriate.

Relationship with Other Policies

This policy should be read together with the journal's Publication Ethics and Publication Frequency pages, where relevant. Suspected plagiarism is also addressed in the journal's Plagiarism Policy.