Policy on the Evaluation of Allegations of Ethical Violations

Ensuring the credibility and integrity of academic publishing depends on the objective, systematic, and transparent handling of allegations of scientific misconduct. The International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research (IJCER) upholds the ethical principles established by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors), WAME (World Association of Medical Editors), and CSE (Council of Science Editors), and expects all contributors to adhere to these international standards as well as relevant national regulations.
Definition and Reporting Channels
Ethical misconduct encompasses serious violations such as data fabrication, data falsification, and plagiarism. Such issues may be identified and reported by authors, reviewers, editors, readers, or discovered through statistical analyses, replication studies, or digital forensic methods.
In all cases, the initial assessment of an allegation lies with the editor of the respective journal. However, the authority to conduct a formal investigation rests with the author’s affiliated institution, funding body, or an authorized ethics committee, not with the editor or the journal itself.
Procedure for Handling Ethical Misconduct Allegations
When an allegation of ethical misconduct arises, IJCER follows a structured and impartial process aligned with COPE recommendations:
1. Preliminary Confidential Assessment
The editor evaluates the credibility and seriousness of the allegation. Additional documentation or evidence may be requested from the complainant.
2. Author Response Request
If the allegation appears plausible, the editor initiates a confidential correspondence with the author(s) to obtain a written explanation.
3. Evaluation of the Author’s Response
• If misconduct is confirmed, the author(s) may be asked to submit a signed statement, and the editor may initiate a correction or retraction as necessary. The author’s institution may also be formally notified.
• If the author’s explanation is satisfactory, the complainant is informed that no ethical violation has been identified.
• If the response is insufficient or absent, the case is referred to the author’s institution or the appropriate ethics authority.
Editors may request written confirmation or an investigation plan and timeline from the relevant institution. Ideally, institutional inquiries should begin within 60 days of the report.
Confidentiality and Inter-Institutional Cooperation
All stages of the assessment are conducted under strict confidentiality. The identities of all parties are protected, and communication occurs only between authorized individuals via confidential correspondence or direct meetings. If the ethical concern involves multiple journals, editors may collaborate discreetly to ensure a coordinated and fair process.
Institutional Commitment
IJCER is committed to handling all allegations of ethical misconduct with rigor, impartiality, and transparency. The journal considers safeguarding the integrity of the scientific record and upholding ethical publishing standards not merely as procedural duties but as essential elements of its editorial and scholarly responsibility.

Update: 23.10.2025