Allegations of Misconduct

Research misconduct, which includes fabrication, falsification, citation manipulation, and plagiarism, jeopardizes the integrity of the scientific record. When such misconduct is identified, particularly in articles already published in scientific journals, editors are obligated to rectify the scientific record and maintain its accuracy. To address allegations of misconduct effectively, editors and editorial boards follow the best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). This involves a thorough investigation into the allegations, beginning with a verification of their validity and an assessment for any conflicts of interest from the accusers.

If the preliminary findings suggest potential misconduct, the concerns are communicated to the corresponding author, who must then respond on behalf of all co-authors. This response is carefully evaluated, potentially with the assistance of additional expert reviews, such as statistical analysis, to ascertain the facts. In situations where misconduct appears unlikely, publishing clarifications or corrections through letters to the editor might suffice. However, for more serious or confirmed instances of misconduct, more stringent measures such as retractions or corrections are necessary.

Moreover, academic institutions play a crucial role in conducting detailed investigations into alleged misconduct. It is the combined responsibility of authors, journals, and institutions to safeguard the accuracy and reliability of the scientific literature. By responding decisively to allegations and implementing appropriate remedies, journals like Jurnal Kajian Komunikasi uphold their duty to ensure the ongoing validity and integrity of scholarly communication.