Handling Allegations of Research Misconduct

BELGI: Journal of Islamic Business and Decision Sciences is committed to addressing allegations of research and publication misconduct fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the principles and relevant guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Reporting Allegations

Authors, reviewers, readers, and other concerned parties may report suspected research or publication misconduct to the editorial office through the journal's official contact email. Reports should provide sufficient information and supporting evidence to enable an initial assessment.

2. Initial Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor will assess the nature and credibility of the allegation and determine whether further investigation is warranted. Allegations may concern plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, duplicate publication, inappropriate authorship, undisclosed conflicts of interest, image manipulation, or other breaches of research and publication ethics.

3. Clarification and Investigation

Where appropriate, the journal will request an explanation from the author(s) or other relevant parties and examine the available evidence. The editorial team may consult independent experts or contact the relevant institution when necessary. All parties will be treated fairly, and confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process to the extent possible.

4. Editorial Decision

Following the assessment, the editorial team will determine the appropriate action based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the alleged misconduct, and applicable ethical guidance. Possible outcomes include closing the case when the allegation is not substantiated, requesting corrective action, rejecting a manuscript, or taking post-publication action when necessary.

5. Corrective and Post-Publication Actions

Depending on the findings, the journal may issue a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction. The journal will provide an appropriate notice and maintain a clear connection between the notice and the affected article to preserve the scholarly record. Retractions and other corrective actions will be handled in accordance with applicable COPE guidance.

6. Documentation and Confidentiality

The journal will maintain appropriate records of allegations, supporting evidence, communications, investigations, and decisions. Information will be shared only with relevant parties as necessary to conduct a fair assessment and protect the integrity of the scholarly record. Allegations will not be treated as proven misconduct until they have been appropriately assessed.

7. Institutional Cooperation

Where an allegation requires institutional investigation or falls outside the journal's authority, the journal may refer the matter to the relevant research institution or organization and cooperate with appropriate follow-up procedures.

The journal aims to resolve cases impartially, consistently, and without undue delay while protecting the rights of all parties and upholding research integrity.