Research Misconduct Policies

The Journal of Innovations in Internal Medicine (JIIM) upholds strict policies to prevent and address any form of research misconduct. These policies are designed to maintain the integrity of the research process, ensure the trustworthiness of published content, and safeguard the journal's reputation. All stakeholders, including authors, reviewers, and editors, must adhere to these standards.

1. Definition of Research Misconduct

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

  • Fabrication: Making up data or results and recording or reporting them as if they were real.
  • Falsification: Manipulating research materials, equipment, processes, or data to misrepresent the research outcomes.
  • Plagiarism: Using someone else's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
  • Improper Authorship: Inclusion of individuals who did not contribute significantly to the work or exclusion of those who did.
  • Failure to Comply with Ethical Standards: Conducting research involving human or animal subjects without proper ethical approval and consent.

2. Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to JIIM must:

  • Ensure Originality: Confirm that their work is original and has not been published or submitted elsewhere.
  • Provide Accurate Data: Report data and results honestly and accurately, avoiding any manipulation or selective reporting.
  • Acknowledge Sources: Properly cite all sources and contributions to avoid any form of plagiarism.
  • Disclose Conflicts of Interest: Declare any potential conflicts that could influence the results or interpretation of their work.

3. Editorial and Peer Review Process

  • Initial Screening: Manuscripts submitted to JIIM undergo an initial review for signs of research misconduct, such as plagiarism or unethical research practices, using plagiarism detection software and editorial oversight.
  • Reviewer Role: Reviewers are encouraged to report any suspected misconduct or ethical concerns to the editorial team.
  • Confidentiality: Editors and reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the review process and report any suspicious findings discreetly.

4. Investigation of Misconduct

When an allegation of misconduct is raised, the following steps are taken:

  • Preliminary Assessment: The editorial team will conduct a preliminary review to assess the validity of the allegations.
  • Full Investigation: If warranted, the investigation may involve the corresponding author, co-authors, or the institution(s) affiliated with the authors.
  • Collaboration with Institutions: The journal may reach out to the author’s institution or research body to request an independent investigation and a report on their findings.
  • Adherence to COPE Guidelines: JIIM follows the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to handle cases of misconduct.

5. Consequences of Misconduct

Depending on the severity and nature of the misconduct, JIIM may take the following actions:

  • Manuscript Rejection: Immediate rejection of the manuscript.
  • Retraction: Retraction of a published article with a clear explanation of the reason for retraction, ensuring transparency for readers.
  • Banning Authors: The authors involved may be banned from submitting future manuscripts to JIIM for a specified period.
  • Notification to Institutions: Informing the authors’ affiliated institutions or research bodies about the misconduct.
  • Corrections and Clarifications: Publishing corrections, clarifications, or expressions of concern when necessary to maintain the record's accuracy.

6. Appeals Process

Authors have the right to appeal decisions related to allegations of misconduct. The appeal must be submitted in writing and include any supporting evidence. The editorial board or an independent reviewer will assess the appeal, and a final decision will be communicated to the author.

7. Prevention and Education

  • Author Guidelines: JIIM provides comprehensive author guidelines that outline the journal’s ethical standards, including the importance of honest reporting, proper citation, and data accuracy.
  • Reviewer Training: Reviewers are encouraged to stay informed about best practices in identifying and reporting research misconduct.
  • Awareness and Resources: JIIM promotes awareness of ethical research practices and provides resources to authors and reviewers to prevent and identify misconduct.

8. Reporting Misconduct

Anyone who suspects research misconduct in a manuscript or published article is encouraged to contact the editorial office at editorial-office@sciformat.ca.
Reports will be handled confidentially and investigated following established policies.