Definition of Misconduct
Research and publication misconduct encompasses a range of unethical behaviours that violate the standards of honest and responsible scholarship. IJDIR defines misconduct as any intentional or reckless act that falls below the standards expected of academic integrity.
Types of Misconduct
Research Misconduct
- Fabrication: Making up data, results, or findings that were not actually obtained
- Falsification: Manipulating research materials, equipment, processes, or changing/omitting data such that research is not accurately represented
- Image manipulation: Inappropriate digital alteration of figures, radiographs, or photographs
- Selective reporting: Omitting negative results or data that would change the interpretation of findings
Publication Misconduct
- Plagiarism: Using another's work without attribution (see Plagiarism Policy)
- Duplicate submission: Simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to more than one journal
- Redundant publication: Publishing the same or substantially similar research in multiple outlets without cross-referencing
- Ghost authorship: Omitting from the author list individuals who made significant contributions
- Gift/honorary authorship: Including as an author someone who made no meaningful contribution
- Misrepresentation of authorship: Submitting a manuscript without the knowledge and consent of all listed authors
Ethical Misconduct
- Conducting research on human subjects without ethical committee approval
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Undisclosed conflicts of interest
- Misuse of confidential peer review information
🚫 Zero Tolerance
IJDIR has zero tolerance for fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. These are the most serious forms of misconduct and will result in the most severe sanctions available to the journal.
Reporting Suspected Misconduct
Any person — including authors, reviewers, readers, or third parties — who suspects misconduct in a submitted or published IJDIR article is encouraged to report it to the editorial office at [email protected].
Reports should include:
- The article title and DOI (if published)
- A description of the suspected misconduct
- Supporting evidence where available
- The reporter's contact details (reports may be made anonymously, but this may limit the investigation)
Investigation Process
Upon receiving a report of suspected misconduct, IJDIR will:
- Acknowledge receipt within 5 working days
- Conduct an initial assessment to determine if the allegation has merit
- If substantiated, contact the corresponding author for explanation
- Notify the authors' institutions if appropriate
- Follow COPE flowcharts relevant to the type of misconduct alleged
- Reach a final determination and communicate it to all parties
All investigations are conducted confidentially. The identity of those raising concerns will be protected to the extent possible.
Sanctions
Sanctions are applied proportionately to the severity of the misconduct and may include:
| Sanction | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| Letter of reprimand to author(s) | Minor violations, first offence |
| Rejection of submitted manuscript | All confirmed pre-publication misconduct |
| Retraction of published article | Confirmed post-publication misconduct |
| Notification of authors' institutions | Serious misconduct confirmed |
| Temporary submission ban (1–3 years) | Serious or repeated violations |
| Permanent submission ban | Severe or repeated serious misconduct |
| Reporting to funding bodies | Misconduct involving funded research |
| Reporting to professional bodies | Misconduct warranting regulatory action |
Last reviewed and updated: January 2025. This policy is subject to periodic review by the Editorial Board of IJDIR.