Policy on Handling Allegations of Research Misconduct

At Journal Social Research (JSR), published by Nexus House Editorial, we are fully committed to upholding academic integrity throughout the entire publication process. Any allegation of research misconduct is treated seriously and managed through transparent, consistent, and structured procedures.

1. Definition of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct refers to practices that undermine the credibility, reliability, and ethical standards of scholarly research. Such misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

Plagiarism: The use of ideas, data, text, or intellectual property without proper acknowledgment of the original source.

Falsification: The intentional manipulation, alteration, or selective omission of research data or results.

Fabrication: The invention of data, results, or research findings that did not occur.

Duplicate Publication: Submission or publication of substantially similar work in more than one journal without proper disclosure or justification.

Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized use of copyrighted material without permission or appropriate citation.

2. Submitting a Misconduct Allegation

Allegations of research misconduct related to Journal Social Research (JSR) must be submitted in writing to the editorial office at editor@nexushouse.org and should include:

The full name and contact information of the complainant.

A clear and detailed description of the alleged misconduct, including references to the affected manuscript or published article.

Any relevant supporting evidence or documentation.

Reports should be submitted as soon as possible after the suspected misconduct is identified.

3. Initial Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the editorial team will conduct a preliminary evaluation to determine whether the claim warrants a formal investigation:

Evidence Review: The submitted information will be examined to assess credibility and relevance.

Confidentiality: All allegations and related materials will be handled with strict confidentiality to protect all parties involved.

4. Investigation Process

If the initial assessment indicates sufficient grounds, a formal investigation will be initiated:

Investigative Committee: An ad hoc committee will be formed, consisting of editorial board members and, when appropriate, independent external experts.

Impartiality and Fairness: The investigation will be conducted objectively, allowing both the complainant and the respondent to present explanations and evidence.

Documentation: All steps and findings of the investigation will be documented to ensure transparency and accountability.

5. Outcome and Actions

Following the conclusion of the investigation, the editorial office will communicate the outcome to all relevant parties:

Decision Notification: Both the complainant and the accused will receive a written explanation of the final decision.

Corrective Actions: If research misconduct is confirmed, JSR may take one or more of the following actions, depending on the severity of the case:

Retraction of the published article.

Publication of corrections, expressions of concern, or clarifications.

Notification of the authors’ affiliated institutions or funding bodies.

Editorial sanctions, including submission bans for a defined period.

6. Appeals Process

If either party disputes the decision, an appeal may be submitted:

Appeal Submission: Appeals must be submitted in writing within 15 business days of the decision notification.

Independent Review: Appeals will be reviewed by a separate panel not involved in the original investigation to ensure neutrality and procedural fairness.

7. Commitment to Research Integrity

Journal Social Research (JSR) reaffirms its strong commitment to ethical publishing practices and research integrity. The journal strives to maintain a rigorous, transparent, and responsible academic environment, addressing all allegations of misconduct with diligence, professionalism, and respect for due process.