Allegations of Research Misconduct

1. Policy Statement

The Borneo Journal of Language and Education (BENJOLE) is committed to maintaining the integrity, credibility, and reliability of scholarly publishing. The journal takes allegations of research and publication misconduct seriously and seeks to address them fairly, objectively, confidentially, and in a timely manner.

This policy establishes the procedures for reporting, assessing, and responding to suspected research or publication misconduct involving manuscripts submitted to or articles published in BENJOLE. It applies, as relevant, to authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the journal's publishing process.

BENJOLE's procedures are informed by relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), particularly its guidance on handling allegations of misconduct and cooperation between journals and research institutions.

2. Types of Research and Publication Misconduct

Allegations may concern, but are not limited to, the following practices:

2.1. Plagiarism

The use of another person's words, ideas, data, findings, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgement or citation.

2.2. Data Fabrication

The invention of data, observations, experiments, or research findings that were not actually obtained or conducted.

2.3. Data Falsification

The manipulation, omission, alteration, or selective presentation of research data, materials, procedures, or results in a manner that misrepresents the research findings.

2.4. Inappropriate Image or Figure Manipulation

The misleading alteration, fabrication, duplication, or selective presentation of images, figures, or other visual research materials.

2.5. Duplicate or Redundant Publication

The submission or publication of substantially overlapping work without appropriate disclosure, justification, or compliance with the journal's submission requirements.

2.6. Authorship Misconduct

The misrepresentation of authorship or individual contributions, including gift or honorary authorship, ghost authorship, unauthorized changes to the author list, or the omission of individuals who meet the applicable authorship criteria.

2.7. Citation Manipulation

The inappropriate addition, solicitation, or manipulation of citations intended to distort the scholarly record or artificially inflate citation counts.

2.8. Peer-Review Manipulation

The manipulation of reviewer identities, falsification of reviewer information, interference with review reports, or other practices that compromise the independence and integrity of peer review.

2.9. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest

The failure to disclose relevant financial, professional, personal, or institutional interests that could reasonably be perceived to influence the research, review, or editorial decision.

2.10. Other Ethical Violations

Other serious practices that compromise research integrity or the reliability of the scholarly record, including unethical research involving human participants, misuse of confidential information, and the misleading use of artificial intelligence in research or manuscript preparation.

An allegation does not, by itself, establish that misconduct has occurred. Each case will be assessed on the basis of the available evidence and relevant circumstances.

3. Reporting Suspected Misconduct

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

Reports should be submitted in writing to:

Email: jurnal.benjole@uinsi.ac.id

Where possible, reports should include:

• The title of the manuscript or published article concerned.
• The names of the relevant authors or other individuals, where known.
• A clear description of the suspected misconduct.
• Supporting evidence, such as relevant publications, documents, data, or other verifiable information.
• The contact details of the reporting party, if provided.

Reports should be made in good faith and contain sufficient information to enable an appropriate assessment. The journal may seek clarification or additional evidence when necessary.

BENJOLE will consider credible allegations regardless of whether they are raised before or after publication. Anonymous reports may also be considered when they contain sufficient information or evidence to justify further assessment.

4. Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the editorial team will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's remit and whether sufficient information is available to warrant further action.

The assessment may include:

1. Reviewing the allegation and available supporting evidence.
2. Checking relevant manuscript files, publication records, citations, or other documentation.
3. Determining whether further clarification or independent advice is necessary.
4. Considering whether the concern may affect the reliability, originality, attribution, or ethical acceptability of the manuscript or published article.

Where appropriate, the editorial team may use plagiarism-detection software or other suitable tools to assist the assessment. Such tools are supporting resources and do not, by themselves, establish misconduct.

The journal will not assume that an allegation is proven solely because it has been submitted.

5. Investigation and Cooperation with Institutions

When an allegation warrants further examination, BENJOLE may request an explanation, relevant research records, original data, or other supporting documentation from the authors or individuals concerned.

The journal will provide the relevant parties with an appropriate opportunity to respond to the concerns, subject to confidentiality, participant protection, and applicable legal or ethical requirements.

Where the matter requires a formal investigation beyond the journal's editorial remit, BENJOLE may contact the relevant university, research institution, employer, funding body, or other appropriate organization.

The journal recognizes that formal investigations into researchers' conduct are generally the responsibility of their institutions or other competent bodies. BENJOLE is responsible for assessing the implications for its editorial decisions and the reliability of the scholarly record.

The journal may cooperate with institutional investigations by providing relevant information and considering the findings communicated by the responsible organization.

6. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

BENJOLE will handle allegations with appropriate confidentiality and procedural fairness.

Information concerning an allegation will be shared only with individuals or organizations that need it for legitimate assessment, investigation, editorial, or legal purposes, subject to applicable requirements.

The journal will seek to protect the identity and legitimate interests of reporting parties, authors, reviewers, and other individuals involved. However, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where disclosure is necessary for a fair investigation or required by law.

Individuals against whom allegations are made will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before an adverse conclusion is reached, where practicable and appropriate.

7. Possible Editorial Actions

The actions taken by BENJOLE will depend on the nature of the allegation, the available evidence, the stage of the publication process, and the seriousness of the potential misconduct.

Possible actions include:

• Requesting clarification or additional documentation.
• Seeking independent expert advice.
• Suspending editorial processing while a concern is assessed.
• Rejecting a manuscript when serious concerns remain unresolved or misconduct is established.
• Requesting corrections or other appropriate revisions.
• Contacting the relevant institution or research organization.
• Publishing a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction where justified.
• Taking other proportionate measures consistent with the journal's publication ethics policies.

The journal will determine the appropriate editorial response based on the evidence and the potential impact on the integrity of the scholarly record.

8. Allegations Concerning Published Articles

When an allegation concerns an article already published by BENJOLE, the editorial team will assess whether the issue affects the article's reliability, originality, ethical acceptability, or attribution of contributions.

Depending on the circumstances, the journal may:

• Request clarification or supporting evidence from the authors.
• Consult independent experts or the relevant institution.
• Publish a correction when an error can be appropriately corrected.
• Publish an expression of concern when serious questions remain unresolved and readers need to be informed.
• Retract the article when the evidence and circumstances justify retraction.

Any correction, expression of concern, or retraction will be handled in accordance with BENJOLE's Correction and Retraction Policy and applicable publication ethics guidance.

Post-publication actions are intended to preserve the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record rather than to serve as punishment in themselves.

9. False or Unsubstantiated Allegations

BENJOLE recognizes that allegations must be assessed carefully and fairly. A report that cannot be substantiated does not automatically mean that it was submitted in bad faith.

Where an allegation is found to be unsupported, the journal will not characterize the individual concerned as having committed misconduct solely on the basis of that allegation.

If there is credible evidence that a report was deliberately fabricated or submitted for malicious purposes, the journal may take appropriate action within its editorial remit and, where necessary, refer the matter to the relevant institution.

10. Appeals and Further Communication

Individuals who disagree with an editorial action arising from a misconduct allegation may submit a written appeal to the editorial office.

The appeal should explain the grounds for reconsideration and provide any relevant additional evidence or information.

Where practicable, the appeal should be considered by an editor or qualified person who was not directly involved in the original decision and who has no relevant conflict of interest.

The journal may request further information before reaching a decision. The submission of an appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed.

Communication concerning ongoing cases will be handled with due regard to confidentiality, procedural fairness, and applicable legal requirements.

11. Policy Implementation

BENJOLE is committed to applying this policy consistently and proportionately. The handling of each allegation will depend on its specific circumstances, the available evidence, the stage of publication, and the applicable ethical and legal requirements.

The journal will cooperate with relevant institutions and organizations when necessary and will take appropriate action to protect the integrity of its editorial processes and published scholarly record.

This policy should be read together with BENJOLE's Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, Authorship and Contribution Policy, Conflict of Interest Policy, Artificial Intelligence Policy, Peer Review Process Policy, and Correction and Retraction Policy.

12. Contact Information

Reports and inquiries concerning suspected research or publication misconduct may be directed to:

Borneo Journal of Language and Education (BENJOLE)
Email: jurnal.benjole@uinsi.ac.id

BENJOLE is committed to addressing credible allegations responsibly, protecting procedural fairness, and maintaining the integrity and reliability of scholarly publishing.