Allegation Misconduct

Allegations of Research and Publication Misconduct

1. Policy Statement

Borneo Humaniora is committed to maintaining academic integrity, transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the scholarly publishing process. The journal does not tolerate research or publication misconduct and is committed to handling all allegations seriously, impartially, and confidentially.

This policy applies to submitted manuscripts, manuscripts under peer review, published articles, and individuals involved in the journal's editorial and publication processes.

The policy is consistent with the journal's Publication Ethics principles, including neutrality, fairness, and integrity, and is informed by the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

2. Types of Misconduct

Allegations of misconduct may include, but are not limited to:

1. Plagiarism: Using another person's words, ideas, data, or work without appropriate acknowledgment.

2. Data fabrication: Inventing research data, results, or findings that were not obtained through the reported research.

3. Data falsification: Manipulating research materials, data, processes, or results in a manner that misrepresents the findings.

4. Duplicate or redundant publication: Publishing substantially overlapping work without appropriate disclosure, justification, or acknowledgment.

5. Improper authorship: Misrepresenting authorship, including ghost authorship, gift authorship, or unauthorized changes to the author list.

6. Citation manipulation: Inappropriately adding citations to inflate citation counts or manipulate citation metrics.

7. Undisclosed conflicts of interest: Failing to disclose relevant financial, professional, institutional, or personal interests that could influence the research or editorial process.

8. Peer review misconduct: Breaching review confidentiality, manipulating the peer review process, or misusing confidential manuscript information.

9. Ethical violations in research: Failing to obtain required ethical approval or informed consent, or violating applicable research ethics requirements.

10. Copyright infringement: Using copyrighted or otherwise protected material without the necessary authorization or acknowledgment.

11. Other serious publication violations: Any other conduct that may compromise the reliability, originality, ethical acceptability, or integrity of scholarly work.

A similarity report, an allegation, or a procedural irregularity does not by itself establish misconduct. Each case must be assessed based on the available evidence and the circumstances involved.

3. Reporting Allegations

Authors, reviewers, readers, researchers, institutions, and other concerned parties may report suspected research or publication misconduct to the editorial office of Borneo Humaniora.

A report should, where possible, include:

• The title and bibliographic details of the manuscript or published article.

• A clear description of the suspected misconduct.

• Supporting evidence, such as relevant publications, source passages, data discrepancies, or documentation.

• The name and contact details of the complainant, if they are willing to provide them.

Reports should be submitted through the journal's official contact channels listed on its website. The journal may consider reports submitted without identification when sufficient information is available for an initial assessment.

All reports will be handled with due care. The journal will take reasonable steps to protect confidential information and the identity of complainants where appropriate, subject to applicable legal and procedural requirements.

4. Initial Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the editor or an appropriately designated editorial representative will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the concern is sufficiently specific and credible to warrant further examination.

The initial assessment may involve:

1. Reviewing the allegation and the supporting evidence.

2. Checking the relevant manuscript, publication, references, or editorial records.

3. Requesting clarification or additional documentation from the complainant when necessary.

4. Determining whether the matter falls within the journal's responsibility or should be referred to another appropriate body.

If the allegation is unsupported, falls outside the journal's remit, or does not provide a reasonable basis for further action, the journal may close the matter with an appropriate record of its assessment.

Where credible concerns remain, the journal will proceed with further examination.

5. Investigation Procedure

When an allegation warrants further examination, Borneo Humaniora will follow a fair and proportionate procedure.

The procedure may include:

1. Preserving relevant records: The journal will retain relevant manuscript versions, review reports, correspondence, publication files, and other available evidence.

2. Seeking an explanation: The editor may contact the corresponding author or other relevant parties to request a response and supporting information.

3. Evaluating the evidence: The editor will assess the available evidence objectively and may seek independent expert advice where necessary.

4. Consulting relevant institutions: Where the allegation concerns serious research misconduct, the journal may refer the matter to the author's institution, research organization, or other competent body for formal investigation.

5. Maintaining confidentiality: Information about the allegation and any ongoing investigation will be shared only with individuals or organizations that have a legitimate role in addressing the matter.

6. Recording the outcome: The journal will document the assessment, significant communications, and editorial actions taken.

The journal recognizes that universities, research institutions, and other competent bodies may have the authority and resources to conduct formal investigations into research misconduct. The journal's responsibility is to assess matters relevant to publication integrity, cooperate with appropriate investigations, and take necessary action concerning the scholarly record.

6. Opportunity to Respond and Fair Treatment

The person or persons concerned will normally be given an appropriate opportunity to respond to the allegation before a final adverse editorial decision is made, where doing so is consistent with confidentiality, legal requirements, and the integrity of the investigation.

All parties are expected to cooperate in good faith and provide accurate information. The journal will avoid premature conclusions and will not treat an allegation as proof of misconduct.

Editorial decisions will be based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the concern, the reliability of the research record, and applicable journal policies.

7. Actions Before Publication

If a credible allegation concerns a manuscript that has not yet been published, the journal may take one or more of the following actions, depending on the circumstances:

• Request clarification, supporting evidence, or corrections from the authors.

• Suspend the editorial process while the matter is assessed.

• Request an independent review or further expert assessment.

• Reject the manuscript if serious ethical or scholarly deficiencies are established.

• Refer the matter to the relevant institution or competent authority where appropriate.

A manuscript will not be rejected solely because an unsubstantiated allegation has been made. The journal will consider the evidence and provide a fair assessment before deciding on the appropriate action.

8. Actions After Publication

When an allegation concerns an already published article, Borneo Humaniora will assess whether the concern affects the reliability, originality, ethical acceptability, or integrity of the published work.

Depending on the findings and the available evidence, the journal may:

• Publish a correction when the issue can be addressed without invalidating the principal findings or conclusions.

• Publish an expression of concern when a significant issue remains unresolved and readers need to be informed.

• Retract the article when the evidence establishes that the publication is seriously unreliable or otherwise warrants retraction.

• Notify the relevant institution or competent authority when appropriate.

• Take other proportionate editorial action consistent with publication ethics and applicable requirements.

Corrections, expressions of concern, and retraction notices will explain the reason for the action as clearly as appropriate and will be linked to the affected article whenever possible. The journal will seek to preserve the transparency and integrity of the scholarly record.

9. Allegations Involving Editors or Reviewers

Allegations involving editors, reviewers, or other journal personnel will be handled impartially and, where necessary, by an independent person who is not implicated in the allegation.

If an editor has a conflict of interest or is directly involved in the matter, that editor must not control the assessment or decision. The matter may be referred to another qualified editor or an appropriate representative of the publisher.

Allegations involving peer review may include breaches of confidentiality, misuse of unpublished work, undisclosed conflicts of interest, inappropriate reviewer conduct, or manipulation of the review process.

The journal will assess such allegations using the available evidence and may consult relevant institutions or other appropriate bodies when warranted.

10. Confidentiality and Protection Against Retaliation

Borneo Humaniora will handle allegations and investigation records confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. Information will be disclosed only when necessary to assess the allegation, protect the integrity of the publication process, cooperate with a legitimate investigation, or comply with applicable legal requirements.

The journal does not condone retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith or cooperate with an investigation. Reports must, however, be made responsibly and should not knowingly contain false or misleading information.

Confidentiality does not prevent the journal from publishing an appropriate correction, expression of concern, or retraction notice when necessary to protect the scholarly record.

11. Outcomes and Editorial Independence

Following assessment or investigation, the editor will determine the appropriate editorial action within the journal's authority. The decision may take into account the seriousness of the misconduct, the strength of the evidence, the response of the parties concerned, any institutional findings, and the potential effect on the published scholarly record.

Possible outcomes include closing the case without further action, requesting corrections or clarification, rejecting a manuscript, issuing a post-publication notice, or referring the matter to a relevant institution or competent authority.

The journal will not impose disciplinary measures beyond its authority. Any institutional or professional sanctions are matters for the relevant institution or competent body.

Editorial decisions concerning misconduct will be made independently of commercial, personal, or other improper influence.

12. Policy Review

Borneo Humaniora may review and update this policy to reflect developments in publication ethics, applicable regulations, and recognized scholarly publishing standards.

This policy should be read together with the journal's Publication Ethics, Peer Review Process, Copyright Notice, and Corrections and Retractions policies.

For questions or to report suspected research or publication misconduct, please contact the editorial office through the official contact information provided on the Borneo Humaniora website.