The editorial board ensures a transparent and impartial review of complaints concerning possible violations of academic integrity and publication ethics. The procedure covers reports of plagiarism, improper use of materials, conflicts of interest, data manipulation, and other breaches related to the activities of authors, reviewers, or members of the editorial board.
1. Submission of a Complaint
Complaints are submitted to the editorial office in written form (via email). The complaint must clearly outline the nature of the alleged violation and provide arguments or evidence supporting the stated circumstances.
2. Initial Review
The editorial board conducts a preliminary assessment of the complaint, determining its validity and whether it falls within the journal’s scope of competence. If necessary, the editorial office may request additional explanations or materials from the author(s).
3. Investigation
If the complaint is deemed substantiated, the editorial board initiates an internal investigation. Independent experts or members of the editorial board who are not involved with the respective publication may be engaged in the process. All parties are given the opportunity to provide their explanations.
4. Decision-Making
Based on the review results, the editorial board may adopt one of the following decisions:
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no violation detected and closure of the case;
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request to submit clarifications or corrections;
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publication of a correction, expression of concern, or article retraction (retraction);
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rejection of publication or temporary ban on submitting materials;
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notification of the author’s affiliated institution or other competent authorities (if necessary).
5. Notification of the Parties
The author(s) and the complainant receive written notification of the outcome of the review. All communication is conducted in a confidential manner.
6. Confidentiality and Impartiality
The editorial board ensures an objective, impartial, and confidential review of each complaint and excludes any possibility of conflicts of interest in the decision-making process.
