Allegations of Research Misconduct

1. Policy Statement

Algoritma: Jurnal Ilmu Komputer dan Informatika is committed to maintaining the integrity, transparency, and ethical standards of scholarly publishing. The journal takes allegations of research misconduct seriously and handles all reports fairly, objectively, confidentially, and promptly.

This policy applies to authors, editors, reviewers, and other parties involved in the submission, review, publication, and post-publication processes. The journal follows recognized principles of publication ethics, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

2. Types of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct and publication malpractice may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Plagiarism: Using another person's ideas, text, data, figures, or other intellectual work without appropriate acknowledgment.
  2. Data fabrication: Inventing research data, experiments, observations, or results that do not exist.
  3. Data falsification: Manipulating research materials, processes, data, images, or results in a way that misrepresents the research findings.
  4. Duplicate or redundant publication: Publishing substantially overlapping research without appropriate disclosure or justification.
  5. Authorship misconduct: Inappropriately including or excluding authors, misrepresenting contributions, or submitting a manuscript without the agreement of all authors.
  6. Citation manipulation: Intentionally adding irrelevant or excessive citations to influence citation metrics or improperly benefit particular authors or publications.
  7. Peer-review manipulation: Interfering with the integrity or independence of the peer-review process, including providing false reviewer identities or attempting to influence reviewers improperly.
  8. Undisclosed conflicts of interest: Failing to disclose financial, professional, or personal interests that could improperly influence the research or editorial process.
  9. Unethical research practices: Conducting research without necessary ethical approval, authorization, or consent where applicable.
  10. Other serious ethical violations: Any other conduct that undermines the reliability, originality, transparency, or integrity of scholarly research and publication.

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

3. Reporting Allegations

Any individual or organization may report suspected research misconduct concerning a manuscript submitted to or an article published in Algoritma: Jurnal Ilmu Komputer dan Informatika.

Reports should be submitted to the editorial team through the journal's official contact channels:

Where possible, a report should include the title of the manuscript or article, the names of the authors, a clear description of the suspected misconduct, relevant evidence, and supporting references or documentation.

The journal encourages reports made in good faith and will protect the confidentiality of the complainant to the extent reasonably possible. Anonymous reports may be considered when sufficient information or evidence is provided to permit an initial assessment.

4. Initial Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editor-in-Chief or an authorized editor will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the allegation falls within the scope of this policy and whether sufficient information exists to justify further investigation.

The assessment may involve reviewing the submitted manuscript, published article, similarity-checking results, research data, correspondence, publication records, and other relevant evidence.

An allegation will not be considered proven solely because it has been reported. The journal will assess the available evidence objectively and avoid premature conclusions.

5. Investigation Procedure

When an allegation warrants further investigation, the journal may take the following steps:

  1. Preserve relevant manuscripts, editorial records, correspondence, and other available evidence.
  2. Notify the corresponding author or relevant parties of the concerns and provide an appropriate opportunity to respond.
  3. Request explanations, original data, research records, ethical approval documents, authorship statements, or other supporting materials, as appropriate.
  4. Consult independent experts, editorial advisers, or the relevant research institution when necessary.
  5. Assess the evidence and responses impartially, while managing any conflicts of interest.
  6. Document the findings and determine appropriate action based on the seriousness of the misconduct and the reliability of the evidence.

For allegations involving institutional research misconduct, the journal may refer the matter to the author's institution or another appropriate authority. The journal's investigation does not replace a formal institutional investigation where one is required.

6. Possible Editorial Actions

Depending on the nature, seriousness, and findings of an investigation, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Reject a manuscript that has not yet been published.
  • Request corrections, additional documentation, or clarification when the issue can be resolved appropriately.
  • Publish a correction or corrigendum for a published article containing a significant but correctable error.
  • Publish an expression of concern when substantial questions remain unresolved or an investigation is ongoing.
  • Retract a published article when the evidence establishes that retraction is warranted under accepted publication ethics standards.
  • Suspend or decline further submissions from individuals involved in serious or repeated misconduct, where justified and applied fairly.
  • Notify the relevant institution, publisher, or other appropriate authority when necessary.

The journal will provide a clear explanation for significant editorial actions, particularly corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions, in accordance with applicable publication ethics guidance.

7. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

All allegations will be handled with appropriate confidentiality. Information will be shared only with individuals who need it for assessment, investigation, or resolution, subject to applicable legal and institutional requirements.

The journal will provide relevant parties with a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations before making a final determination, except where immediate action is necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record or comply with applicable obligations.

Editors and reviewers involved in handling an allegation must disclose relevant conflicts of interest and must not participate in decisions where their impartiality may be compromised.

The journal does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report suspected misconduct in good faith.

8. Appeals and Reconsideration

Authors or other directly affected parties may request reconsideration of an editorial decision by submitting a written explanation and relevant supporting evidence to the Editor-in-Chief.

Appeals will be reviewed by an editor or an independent person who was not materially involved in the original decision, where practicable. The journal may seek additional expert advice when necessary. A request for reconsideration does not automatically suspend an appropriate action intended to protect the scholarly record.

9. Post-Publication Responsibilities

The journal recognizes its responsibility to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the published scholarly record. New evidence of possible misconduct arising after publication will be assessed under this policy, regardless of when the article was published.

Authors are expected to cooperate with reasonable requests for clarification or supporting research materials. Where the evidence warrants a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, the journal will take appropriate action and maintain a transparent record of the editorial outcome.

10. Policy Review

Algoritma: Jurnal Ilmu Komputer dan Informatika may periodically review and update this policy to reflect developments in scholarly publishing ethics, institutional requirements, and recognized international guidance.

Contact Information

Algoritma: Jurnal Ilmu Komputer dan Informatika
Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology
Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara
Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Email: algoritma@uinsu.ac.id
Website: https://jurnal.uinsu.ac.id/index.php/algoritma/index