Research Misconduct

Al-Ibrah: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Keilmuan Islam is committed to maintaining academic integrity, research transparency, and the highest standards of publication ethics. The journal does not tolerate research misconduct or unethical publication practices and expects all authors, editors, and reviewers to uphold these principles throughout the publication process.

1. Forms of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following practices:

  1. Plagiarism: Using another person's words, ideas, data, or scholarly work without appropriate acknowledgment or citation.

  2. Data Fabrication: Inventing research data, results, observations, or other evidence that was not actually obtained.

  3. Data Falsification: Manipulating research materials, procedures, data, images, or results in a way that misrepresents the research findings.

  4. Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Publishing substantially similar research in more than one publication without proper disclosure or justification.

  5. Unauthorized Authorship Practices: Improperly including or excluding individuals as authors, misrepresenting contributions, or submitting a manuscript without the agreement of all listed authors.

  6. Citation Manipulation: Inappropriately adding citations to inflate citation counts, influence journal metrics, or misrepresent the scholarly basis of a manuscript.

  7. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose financial, professional, personal, or other relationships that could improperly influence the research or its interpretation.

  8. Unethical Research Practices: Conducting research without appropriate ethical approval or informed consent when required, or failing to protect the rights, safety, privacy, and confidentiality of research participants.

  9. Misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Using AI tools to fabricate data or references, misrepresent authorship, generate misleading research content, or otherwise violate the journal's AI-use policy.

2. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts accurately represent their research and comply with applicable ethical standards. They must:

  • Ensure the originality and accuracy of the submitted manuscript.

  • Provide appropriate citations and acknowledgments for all sources used.

  • Maintain reliable research records and provide supporting information when reasonably requested by the editorial team.

  • Obtain ethical approval, informed consent, and other required permissions where applicable.

  • Disclose relevant funding sources, conflicts of interest, and the use of AI tools in accordance with the journal's policies.

  • Cooperate with editorial inquiries concerning suspected research misconduct.

3. Detection and Initial Assessment

The editorial team may assess suspected misconduct through manuscript screening, plagiarism-detection software, examination of research data or documentation, reviewer reports, post-publication notifications, or other credible evidence.

When a concern arises, the editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the allegation has a reasonable basis and whether further inquiry is necessary. Allegations will be handled fairly, confidentially, and without presuming that misconduct has occurred before the available evidence has been evaluated.

4. Investigation and Communication

Where credible concerns remain, the editor may request an explanation, relevant data, research records, ethical approval documentation, or other supporting evidence from the authors. The editor may also contact the authors' affiliated institution, research funder, or another appropriate body when necessary and consistent with applicable policies.

Authors will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the concerns. The journal will evaluate the available evidence impartially and document relevant communications and decisions. Cases involving complex allegations may require institutional investigation or advice from an appropriate research integrity body.

5. Editorial Actions

Depending on the nature, severity, and evidence of the alleged misconduct, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Reject a manuscript before publication.

  • Request clarification, additional evidence, or appropriate corrections.

  • Suspend editorial processing while a credible concern is investigated.

  • Publish a correction or an expression of concern when warranted.

  • Retract a published article when the evidence establishes grounds for retraction under the journal's policy.

  • Notify the relevant institution, research funder, or other appropriate authority where necessary.

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the findings and consistent with the journal's publication ethics policies and applicable guidance.

6. Post-Publication Concerns

Concerns about possible research misconduct in a published article may be submitted to the editorial office with sufficient information to identify the article and explain the allegation. The journal will assess the information and, where appropriate, initiate an investigation.

Corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions will be handled in accordance with the journal's relevant policies. The journal aims to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record while treating all parties fairly.

7. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

All allegations will be handled confidentially to the extent reasonably possible and in accordance with applicable legal and institutional requirements. The journal will avoid premature conclusions, protect the rights of those involved, and base its decisions on the available evidence.

The journal is committed to addressing research misconduct transparently and responsibly to preserve trust in scholarly communication and protect the integrity of the academic record.