Allegations of Research Misconduct

Allegations of Research Misconduct

A. Policy Statement

ELTIN Journal: Journal of English Language Teaching in Indonesia is committed to maintaining research integrity, academic honesty, transparency, and responsible scholarly publishing.

The journal takes all credible allegations of research misconduct seriously. Allegations will be handled fairly, objectively, confidentially, and in a timely manner, with due consideration given to the available evidence and the rights of all parties involved.

This policy applies to manuscripts submitted to ELTIN Journal and articles already published by the journal.

B. Types of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

  1. Fabrication: Inventing data, results, participants, or research findings and presenting them as genuine.
  2. Falsification: Manipulating research materials, procedures, data, or results in a manner that misrepresents the research.
  3. Plagiarism: Using another person's words, ideas, data, or work without appropriate acknowledgment.
  4. Authorship misconduct: Inappropriately assigning, omitting, or misrepresenting authorship or individual contributions.
  5. Duplicate or redundant publication: Publishing substantially overlapping work without appropriate disclosure or justification.
  6. Citation manipulation: Inappropriately manipulating references or citations to distort the scholarly record.
  7. Ethical violations: Misrepresenting research ethics approval, consent, or compliance with applicable ethical requirements.
  8. Peer-review misconduct: Breaching review confidentiality, manipulating peer review, or engaging in other practices that undermine the integrity of editorial assessment.
  9. Undisclosed conflicts of interest: Concealing relevant interests that may compromise the transparency or integrity of research or publication.
  10. Other serious breaches: Conduct that significantly compromises the reliability, integrity, or transparency of the scholarly record.

Honest mistakes, reasonable differences in interpretation, and good-faith academic disagreements do not automatically constitute research misconduct.

C. Reporting Allegations

Authors, reviewers, editors, readers, institutions, and other concerned individuals may report suspected research misconduct to the ELTIN Journal Editorial Office through the official communication channels listed on the journal website.

A report should include, where available:

  • The title and publication details of the relevant manuscript or article.
  • A clear description of the suspected misconduct.
  • Supporting evidence, documents, data, or relevant references.
  • Information identifying the relevant individuals or institutions, where appropriate.
  • Contact information for follow-up, if the reporting party is willing to provide it.

Anonymous reports may be considered when they contain sufficiently specific and verifiable information. The journal will assess reports according to their substance and available evidence.

D. Initial Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the allegation falls within the scope of this policy and whether sufficient information exists to justify further examination.

The assessment may include reviewing the manuscript, article, supporting materials, editorial records, and evidence submitted by the reporting party.

Where necessary, the journal may request additional information or consult an independent expert. Any conflicts of interest involving those responsible for handling the allegation must be disclosed and appropriately managed.

If an allegation is unsupported or does not provide a reasonable basis for further action, the journal may close the case and record the decision appropriately.

E. Investigation Procedure

When further examination is warranted, ELTIN Journal will undertake a proportionate inquiry based on the nature and seriousness of the allegation.

The process may involve:

  1. Reviewing the available evidence and relevant publication records.
  2. Requesting a written explanation or supporting documentation from the author(s) concerned.
  3. Consulting independent subject experts or other appropriate specialists.
  4. Contacting the relevant author's institution, research organization, funder, or ethics committee when necessary and appropriate.
  5. Assessing the evidence impartially and documenting the outcome.

The journal may refer suspected serious misconduct to the appropriate institution or authority because formal investigations into research conduct may fall within that body's responsibility. The journal remains responsible for deciding what editorial action is appropriate for manuscripts or articles under its publication.
F. Fairness and Confidentiality

The journal will handle allegations as confidentially as reasonably possible, while recognizing that disclosure may be necessary for a fair investigation, institutional referral, or compliance with applicable obligations.

Individuals accused of misconduct will be given an appropriate opportunity to respond to the concerns and provide relevant evidence before a final editorial determination, where circumstances permit.

The journal will seek to protect individuals who raise concerns in good faith from inappropriate disclosure of their identities and from retaliation, to the extent reasonably possible.

Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where disclosure is necessary for a fair assessment or required by applicable obligations.

G. Possible Editorial Actions

Depending on the findings, seriousness of the issue, and evidence available, the journal may:

  • Request clarification, additional evidence, or corrections.
  • Reject a submitted manuscript.
  • Suspend editorial processing while a significant concern is assessed.
  • Refer the matter to the relevant institution or competent authority.
  • Publish a correction when the published record requires amendment.
  • Issue an expression of concern when serious questions remain unresolved.
  • Retract a published article when justified under the journal's Correction and Retraction Policy.
  • Take other proportionate actions consistent with publication ethics.

No adverse editorial action will be based solely on an unverified allegation. Decisions will take into account the evidence, the response of the individuals concerned, and the potential impact on the integrity of the scholarly record.

H. Institutional Cooperation

Where appropriate, ELTIN Journal may contact the relevant institution, research organization, funding body, or ethics committee to request clarification or an investigation.

The journal may share relevant documentation when necessary and appropriate, subject to confidentiality and applicable requirements. Findings from an institutional investigation may inform editorial decisions, but the journal retains responsibility for actions concerning its published content.

I. Appeals and Reconsideration

Authors or other directly affected parties may request reconsideration of an editorial decision by submitting a written explanation supported by relevant new evidence or identifying a material procedural error.

Where practicable, the appeal will be considered by an editor or independent editorial representative who was not directly responsible for the original decision.

Appeals will be handled fairly and proportionately. They do not prevent the journal from taking necessary action to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

J. Record Keeping and Follow-up

The Editorial Office will maintain appropriate records of allegations, supporting evidence, communications, assessments, decisions, and actions taken.

Records will be managed responsibly, with appropriate attention to confidentiality and applicable requirements. A case may be reconsidered if credible new evidence emerges after its initial closure.

K. Relationship with Other Policies

This policy should be read together with the ELTIN Journal Publication Ethics Policy, Plagiarism Policy, Authorship Criteria, Conflict of Interest Policy, Peer Review Process Policy, and Correction and Retraction Policy.

The relevant policies will be applied together when an allegation concerns more than one aspect of publication ethics

L. Commitment to Research Integrity

ELTIN Journal is committed to protecting the accuracy, credibility, and transparency of scholarly publications. All credible allegations of research misconduct will be considered seriously and handled through fair, evidence-based, and proportionate procedures.

The journal seeks to promote responsible research practices, maintain trust in academic publishing, and protect the integrity of the scholarly record.