Allegation of Research Misconduct
Research misconduct encompasses practices such as data fabrication, data falsification, citation manipulation, and plagiarism in the design, conduct, evaluation, or reporting of research, as well as in the preparation of scholarly publications. When allegations of misconduct or other serious research irregularities arise in relation to manuscripts submitted to or articles published in scientific journals, the Editors are responsible for safeguarding the accuracy, credibility, and integrity of the scholarly record.
In addressing suspected cases of research misconduct, the Editors and Editorial Board of the Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance (JIEF) will follow relevant best-practice recommendations issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), together with applicable research ethics standards. Each allegation will be examined carefully, impartially, and confidentially, with appropriate procedures implemented to ensure a fair assessment. Manuscripts confirmed to contain research misconduct will be rejected. If misconduct is established in an article that has already been published, the journal may issue a retraction notice linked to the original publication, in accordance with the seriousness of the findings and applicable editorial policies.
The investigation begins with a preliminary assessment to determine whether the allegation is credible and falls within the recognized definition of research misconduct. The Editors will also consider whether the individuals raising the concern have any relevant conflicts of interest that could affect the impartiality of the process.
If the initial assessment indicates a reasonable possibility of scientific misconduct or other significant research irregularities, the corresponding author will be contacted and asked to provide a comprehensive explanation on behalf of all co-authors. Following receipt of the response, the Editors will evaluate the available evidence and may seek further assessment from independent experts, including statistical reviewers or subject specialists, where necessary.
If the investigation finds insufficient evidence to establish misconduct, the Editors may request clarification, additional analyses, or other appropriate corrective measures. Where necessary, the journal may publish a letter to the editor, a correction notice, or a revised version of the article to address identified inaccuracies and maintain the reliability of the published record.
Research institutions are expected to investigate allegations of scientific misconduct thoroughly and in accordance with their institutional procedures and applicable ethical standards. Authors, journals, and research institutions share responsibility for preserving the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of scientific publications.
In fulfilling this responsibility, Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance (JIEF) will take appropriate action based on the evidence and the outcome of each investigation. Such actions may include the publication of corrections, retractions with replacement where appropriate, or full retractions. The journal may also consult relevant COPE guidelines and other applicable publication ethics standards when determining the appropriate response to allegations of research misconduct.
Through these procedures, Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance (JIEF) is committed to promoting responsible research practices, maintaining publication ethics, and protecting the integrity and reliability of the scholarly record.
