Allegations of Research Misconduct

Intermestic: Journal of International Studies is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. The journal takes allegations of research and publication misconduct seriously and assesses them fairly, confidentially, and without undue delay.

Scope of Misconduct

Research or publication misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

- Fabrication or falsification of data, evidence, research procedures, or results.
- Plagiarism or inappropriate appropriation of intellectual work.
- Duplicate publication or undisclosed redundant submission.
- Manipulation of citations, images, data, or research findings.
- False, misleading, or inappropriate authorship claims.
- Undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the work.
- Research conducted without required ethical approval or consent.
- Manipulation of peer review, including fabricated reviewer identities or reports.
- Other practices that seriously undermine the reliability or integrity of scholarly publication.

Honest errors, legitimate scholarly disagreement, or differences in interpretation do not automatically constitute misconduct.

Reporting Concerns

Concerns may be reported by authors, reviewers, readers, institutions, or other individuals with relevant information. Reports should include the article or manuscript details, a description of the concern, and supporting evidence where available.

Reports should be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief or the journal's official editorial contact. The journal will acknowledge and assess reports as appropriate.

Investigation Procedure

Upon receiving an allegation, the journal will:
1. Conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's remit and has a reasonable evidentiary basis.
2. Preserve relevant editorial and publication records.
3. Seek clarification from the authors or other parties when appropriate.
4. Consult independent experts or the relevant institution if additional investigation is required.
5. Assess the evidence and determine proportionate editorial action.

The journal will avoid assuming misconduct before the available evidence has been evaluated. Parties involved will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond, subject to confidentiality and the requirements of a fair investigation.

Possible Outcomes

Depending on the findings, actions may include dismissal of an unfounded allegation, a request for correction or clarification, manuscript rejection, publication of an expression of concern, correction or retraction of a published article, or referral to an appropriate institution or authority.

Where an institutional investigation is necessary, the journal may request that the institution conduct an independent inquiry. The journal retains responsibility for editorial decisions concerning its publications.

Confidentiality and Protection

The journal will restrict information about allegations to individuals who need it for assessment or investigation. Reports will be handled in a manner intended to protect the integrity of the investigation and the legitimate interests of the parties involved.

The journal will not tolerate knowingly malicious allegations or the deliberate misuse of the reporting process. However, good-faith reporting of genuine concerns will not be discouraged.

Appeals and Records

Authors or other affected parties may request reconsideration by submitting relevant evidence. The journal will document significant decisions and retain records in accordance with applicable institutional policies and legal requirements.

The journal follows recognized publication ethics guidance, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), when addressing research and publication misconduct.