Allegations of Research Misconduct

A fair, confidential, and transparent approach to addressing concerns about research integrity and publication ethics.

BARAKATI: Journal of Community Service, published by PT. Sangadji Media Publishing, is committed to maintaining research integrity and upholding high standards of publication ethics. The journal takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously and seeks to address concerns fairly, objectively, and responsibly while protecting the integrity of the scholarly record.

Scope of Research Misconduct

Allegations may concern, but are not limited to, the following forms of suspected misconduct:

  • Plagiarism: using another person's words, ideas, data, or work without appropriate acknowledgment.
  • Data fabrication: inventing data, results, participants, or research activities that did not occur.
  • Data falsification: manipulating research materials, procedures, data, or results in ways that misrepresent the research record.
  • Duplicate or redundant publication: publishing substantially overlapping work without appropriate disclosure or justification.
  • Inappropriate authorship practices: misrepresenting contributions, including gift, guest, or ghost authorship, or failing to acknowledge qualifying contributions appropriately.
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest: failing to disclose relevant relationships or interests that could affect the integrity or interpretation of the work.
  • Other ethical violations: breaches of applicable research ethics, publication requirements, participant protections, or editorial policies.

1. Reporting Procedure

Submitting a Concern

Anyone who suspects research misconduct in a manuscript submitted to or an article published in BARAKATI may report the concern to the editorial team using the official contact information provided on the journal's website.

To facilitate a responsible assessment, reports should include, where possible:

  • The title of the manuscript or published article and its DOI or URL, if available.
  • A clear description of the suspected misconduct and the specific concern.
  • Supporting evidence, such as source comparisons, relevant documents, data inconsistencies, or other verifiable information.
  • Any additional information that may help the editorial team assess the allegation.

Initial Editorial Assessment

Upon receiving a report, the editor will acknowledge receipt where appropriate and assess whether the allegation is sufficiently specific and supported to warrant further examination. The editor may review the manuscript, publication records, similarity reports, underlying materials, and other relevant evidence. Reports that lack sufficient information may require clarification before further action can be considered.

2. Investigation and Author Response

If further investigation is warranted, BARAKATI may take one or more of the following steps:

  • Request an explanation, clarification, original data, research records, or other relevant documentation from the authors.
  • Invite the authors to respond to the allegations and evidence before an editorial decision is made, where appropriate.
  • Consult peer reviewers, editorial advisers, research ethics specialists, or other qualified experts when necessary.
  • Contact the relevant institution, research organization, or other appropriate authority when the matter requires further investigation beyond the journal's remit.
  • Assess the available evidence and responses impartially before determining an appropriate course of action.

3. Principles Governing Investigations

Fairness and Objectivity

Allegations are assessed on the available evidence without presuming misconduct before the relevant facts have been examined.

Confidentiality

Information is handled confidentially to the extent possible, subject to the needs of a fair investigation and applicable legal or institutional obligations.

Proportionate Action

Any editorial response is proportionate to the nature, seriousness, and evidential basis of the concern and its implications for the scholarly record.

4. Possible Editorial Actions

Depending on the findings and the status of the manuscript or article, BARAKATI may take one or more of the following actions, as appropriate:

Manuscript Rejection

Reject a submitted manuscript when serious ethical concerns are substantiated or publication requirements are not met.

Correction

Publish a correction when an identified error can be appropriately addressed without requiring retraction of the article.

Expression of Concern

Issue an expression of concern when substantial questions about an article remain unresolved and readers need to be informed while further investigation is pending.

Retraction or Other Appropriate Measures

Retract a published article or take other appropriate editorial action when the evidence and circumstances justify such a response under the journal's relevant policies.

5. Protecting the Scholarly Record

BARAKATI is committed to preserving the accuracy and reliability of the scholarly record. Editorial decisions and any resulting notices will be communicated and published, where appropriate, in a manner that provides readers with clear information about the status of the affected article while respecting confidentiality and applicable obligations.

Editorial Commitment: All allegations of research misconduct are treated seriously and assessed responsibly, fairly, and proportionately. The journal aims to protect authors' procedural fairness, readers' interests, and the integrity of published research.