Allegation of Research Misconduct

Allegations of Research Misconduct

Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis Eka Prasetya (MBEP) is committed to upholding integrity, honesty, objectivity, and accountability throughout the scholarly publication process. All submitted manuscripts and published articles must comply with applicable standards of research ethics and scholarly publication.

Jurnal MBEP takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously and will address them objectively, fairly, transparently, and on the basis of verifiable evidence. Allegations may be reported by authors, reviewers, editors, readers, academic institutions, or other parties possessing relevant information.

1. Types of Research Misconduct

Allegations of research misconduct addressed by Jurnal MBEP include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. *Data Fabrication:* Inventing data, research findings, or information that was never actually obtained through the research process.
2. *Data Falsification:* Manipulating research materials, processes, data, or results so that they no longer accurately represent the actual circumstances.
3. *Plagiarism:* Using another party's ideas, writings, data, or work without appropriate acknowledgment or attribution.
4. *Duplicate Publication:* Submitting or publishing substantially similar work in more than one publication without appropriate disclosure or authorization.
5. *Authorship Violations:* Including individuals who do not meet the authorship criteria, excluding individuals who have made substantial contributions, or changing the order of authors without appropriate agreement.
6. *Peer-Review Manipulation:* Engaging in activities intended to improperly influence or manipulate the peer-review process.
7. *Research Data Collection Ethics Violations:* Disregarding consent, confidentiality, or the protection of research participants where applicable to the study.
8. *Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest:* Concealing interests that could materially influence the objectivity of the research or the publication process.
9. *Other Violations:* Any other forms of research or publication misconduct that conflict with ethical principles and the journal's policies.

Unintentional errors are not automatically classified as research misconduct. Each case will be assessed based on the nature of the issue, the available evidence, the degree of intent where it can be established, and the impact on the reliability of the research findings.

2. Reporting Allegations of Misconduct

Any party who suspects research misconduct may submit a report to the editorial team of Jurnal MBEP through the official communication channels provided on the journal's website.

Reports should include the following information:

- The identity or title of the article being reported.
- The authors' names and publication details, where available.
- A clear and specific description of the alleged misconduct.
- Supporting evidence or documentation, such as text comparisons, data, references, or other relevant information.
- Any additional information that may assist the editor in conducting an investigation.

Jurnal MBEP encourages good-faith reporting. All reports will be evaluated professionally, and allegations will not be treated as established facts before an adequate investigation has been conducted.

3. Investigation Procedures

Upon receiving a report, the editorial team of Jurnal MBEP will undertake the following steps:

1. *Initial Assessment:* The editor evaluates the completeness, relevance, and credibility of the information submitted.
2. *Evidence Gathering:* The editor may request additional documents, research data, supporting records, or clarification from the parties concerned.
3. *Request for Clarification:* The author or person against whom the allegation has been made will be given a reasonable opportunity to provide an explanation and submit relevant evidence.
4. *Independent Consultation:* Where necessary, the editor may seek opinions from reviewers, independent experts, or relevant authorities.
5. *Assessment and Decision:* The editor evaluates all available information to determine the appropriate action in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policies.
6. *Documentation:* The investigation process and its outcome will be adequately documented to ensure accountability and consistency in case handling.

If an allegation involves an editor or any party with a conflict of interest, responsibility for handling the case will be transferred to another independent party.

4. Confidentiality and Fairness

Jurnal MBEP seeks to maintain the confidentiality of reports, evidence, and information obtained during the investigation, to the extent permitted by applicable requirements and consistent with the needs of the investigation.

The party against whom an allegation has been made will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond. All parties must refrain from actions that could interfere with the investigation, including intimidation, retaliation, or the dissemination of unverified allegations.

Reports submitted in good faith will be handled professionally, including cases in which the investigation ultimately finds insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation.

5. Editorial Actions

Based on the investigation findings, Jurnal MBEP may take proportionate action according to the nature and severity of the misconduct, including:

1. Requesting clarification from the authors or requiring corrections to the manuscript.
2. Rejecting a manuscript currently under consideration if relevant misconduct is identified.
3. Temporarily suspending the editorial process while an investigation is underway, where necessary.
4. Publishing a correction if errors requiring amendment are identified in a published article.
5. Issuing an Expression of Concern when serious issues remain under investigation.
6. Retracting an article when the evidence indicates that retraction is necessary to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.
7. Contacting relevant institutions or authorities where necessary and in accordance with applicable procedures.

Editorial decisions will be based on evidence and relevant considerations, rather than solely on the existence of an allegation or pressure from any particular party.

6. Reporting to Relevant Institutions

When an allegation requires further investigation beyond the journal's authority, Jurnal MBEP may contact the institution where the author is employed or the institution responsible for the research.

An investigation by the relevant institution may be considered, particularly in cases involving data fabrication, falsification, serious research ethics violations, or other matters requiring examination of original research records and activities.

Jurnal MBEP remains responsible for editorial decisions concerning publications in its journal, taking into account investigation findings and information that can be verified.

7. Commitment to Research Integrity

Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis Eka Prasetya is committed to addressing allegations of research misconduct fairly, independently, and responsibly. Each case will be assessed on the basis of available evidence, while respecting the rights of the parties concerned and maintaining the trust of the academic community.

Through this policy, Jurnal MBEP seeks to ensure that the publication process adheres to the principles of scholarly honesty, transparency, accountability, and academic integrity, while supporting the quality and reliability of scholarly publications.