Allegation of Research Misconduct

SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education) is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity, ethical conduct, and responsible scholarly publishing. The journal recognizes that maintaining the credibility and reliability of scientific literature requires effective mechanisms for identifying, investigating, and addressing potential research misconduct.

All allegations of research misconduct will be handled seriously, objectively, fairly, and confidentially, in accordance with established principles of research integrity, publication ethics, and relevant guidelines issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Types of Research Misconduct

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

Fabrication: Making up research data, experimental observations, or results and recording or reporting them as genuine findings.

Falsification: Manipulating research materials, equipment, processes, data, or results, including modifying or omitting information in a manner that misrepresents the research findings.

Plagiarism: Using another person's ideas, research data, methods, findings, or written work without appropriate acknowledgment, citation, or permission where required.

Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Publishing substantially similar research findings in more than one journal or publication without appropriate disclosure, justification, or acknowledgment.

Authorship Misconduct: Manipulating or misrepresenting authorship contributions, including inappropriate authorship attribution, exclusion of eligible contributors, or inclusion of individuals who do not meet the journal's authorship criteria.

Unauthorized Use of Research Data: Using, disclosing, or publishing research data, materials, or unpublished findings without the necessary authorization or permission.

Research Ethics Violations: Conducting or reporting research in violation of applicable ethical requirements, including failure to obtain required ethical approval, informed consent, or other necessary research permissions.

Peer-Review Manipulation: Interfering with or manipulating the peer-review process through fraudulent reviewer identities, fabricated reviews, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or other deceptive practices.

Concealment of Material Conflicts of Interest: Deliberately failing to disclose financial, professional, academic, personal, or institutional interests that could significantly influence the research or publication process.

Other Forms of Ethical Misconduct: Any other practices that compromise the honesty, reliability, transparency, or integrity of scientific research and scholarly publication.

The journal evaluates suspected misconduct based on the nature of the allegations, available evidence, applicable ethical standards, and potential impact on the reliability of the scientific record.

2. Reporting Allegations of Research Misconduct

Allegations of research misconduct may be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief or the Editorial Board of SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education).

Reports may be submitted by authors, peer reviewers, readers, researchers, academic institutions, or other individuals or organizations possessing relevant information.

Reports should include sufficient details to enable an appropriate preliminary assessment, such as:

Identification of the manuscript or published article concerned, including its title, authors, and DOI, where available.
A clear description of the suspected misconduct.
Relevant supporting evidence, documents, or references.
Contact information for the reporting individual, where appropriate, to facilitate communication and clarification.

Reports that do not contain sufficient information or supporting evidence may require additional clarification before a formal investigation can proceed.

All allegations will be evaluated objectively and will not be regarded as established misconduct without appropriate assessment.

Reports may be submitted through the journal's Open Journal Systems platform or official editorial email address:

Email: redaksi_supremum@unsika.ac.id

Journal Website: https://journal-fkip.unsika.ac.id/index.php/supremum

3. Procedures for Handling Research Misconduct

SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education) follows a structured editorial procedure for assessing and addressing allegations of research misconduct.

The general procedure consists of the following stages:

Report Submission → Preliminary Assessment → Clarification → Investigation → Editorial Decision → Appropriate Editorial Action

3.1. Receipt and Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editor-in-Chief or designated editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the report contains credible information and sufficient grounds for further examination.

The preliminary assessment may include reviewing the manuscript or published article, examining supporting documents, and identifying the nature and potential seriousness of the reported concern.

3.2. Clarification

If the allegation warrants further examination, the editor may request clarification or relevant documentation from the authors, reviewers, affiliated institutions, or other parties involved.

Individuals whose conduct is under review will generally be given an appropriate opportunity to respond to the allegations and provide supporting explanations or evidence.

3.3. Investigation

When necessary, the journal may conduct further editorial inquiries or seek assistance from relevant academic institutions, research ethics committees, independent experts, or other appropriate authorities.

The journal recognizes that formal investigations into research misconduct may fall primarily within the responsibilities of authors' affiliated institutions or other competent investigative bodies.

The Editorial Board will cooperate with such institutions where appropriate while maintaining its responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of the published scientific record.

3.4. Editorial Decision

Following the assessment of available evidence and relevant findings, the Editor-in-Chief or Editorial Board will determine the appropriate editorial response.

Decisions will be based on the seriousness of the identified concerns, the reliability of the evidence, the impact on the validity of the research, and applicable publication ethics standards.

3.5. Editorial Action

Appropriate editorial measures will be implemented according to the findings of the evaluation or investigation.

Throughout the process, the journal will maintain appropriate confidentiality and ensure that all parties are treated fairly and professionally.

4. Editorial Actions and Sanctions

Depending on the nature, severity, and consequences of the identified misconduct, SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education) may take one or more of the following actions:

Request clarification, additional documentation, or corrective explanations from the authors.
Require manuscript revisions or corrections to address identified concerns.
Reject a manuscript that is currently undergoing editorial evaluation.
Suspend or delay the editorial or publication process pending clarification or further investigation.
Publish a Correction, Erratum, or Corrigendum when errors are identified that do not substantially invalidate the main findings or conclusions.
Publish an Expression of Concern when significant concerns regarding a published article remain unresolved or an investigation is ongoing.
Issue a Retraction when serious errors or ethical violations substantially undermine the reliability, validity, or integrity of the published article.
Refer the matter to the authors' affiliated institutions, research ethics committees, funding organizations, or other relevant authorities when further investigation or institutional action is necessary.

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the seriousness of the issue and its potential impact on the scientific record.

Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions will be handled in accordance with the journal's Corrections and Retractions Policy and applicable COPE guidelines.

5. Authors' Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring the integrity, authenticity, accuracy, and ethical compliance of the research reported in their manuscripts.

When concerns or allegations of research misconduct arise, authors are expected to:

Provide truthful, accurate, and complete information during the editorial assessment or investigation.
Cooperate with the Editorial Board and relevant institutions in the clarification and investigation process.
Submit supporting documentation, research records, or other relevant evidence when reasonably requested.
Respond to allegations professionally and within the timeframe specified by the editor.
Promptly notify the journal if significant errors, inaccuracies, or ethical violations are identified in their published articles.
Cooperate in implementing appropriate corrective editorial actions when necessary.

Failure to cooperate with a legitimate investigation or deliberate misrepresentation of relevant information may be considered when determining appropriate editorial measures.

Authors are expected to uphold the principles of honesty, accountability, transparency, and responsible research conduct throughout the publication process.

6. Protection of Whistleblowers and Complainants

SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education) recognizes the importance of protecting individuals who report suspected research misconduct in good faith.

The journal will make reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of complainants' identities to the extent permitted by applicable laws, ethical requirements, and the need for a fair and thorough investigation.

The journal does not tolerate intimidation, harassment, coercion, threats, or retaliation against individuals who raise legitimate concerns regarding research integrity or publication ethics.

Reports submitted in good faith will be evaluated fairly, regardless of the complainant's academic position, institutional affiliation, or professional status.

At the same time, the journal seeks to protect individuals against unfounded allegations and will not presume misconduct solely on the basis of a complaint.

7. Principles for Handling Research Misconduct

SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education) is committed to addressing allegations of research misconduct according to the following fundamental principles:

7.1. Objectivity

All allegations will be assessed impartially and on the basis of credible information, relevant evidence, and applicable ethical standards.

7.2. Confidentiality

Information relating to allegations, investigations, and editorial deliberations will be handled confidentially to the extent appropriate and legally permissible.

7.3. Fairness

All parties involved will be treated fairly and respectfully, with reasonable opportunities to provide explanations, supporting evidence, or responses to the concerns raised.

7.4. Transparency

Editorial actions affecting the scientific record will be communicated transparently, particularly when corrections, Expressions of Concern, or Retractions are necessary.

7.5. Due Process

The journal will follow appropriate procedures to ensure that allegations are carefully assessed, relevant parties are given opportunities to respond, and decisions are based on available evidence rather than unverified accusations.

The journal will seek to resolve concerns in a timely manner while ensuring that the quality and fairness of the assessment process are not compromised.

8. Commitment to Research Integrity

SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education) is firmly committed to promoting responsible research practices, maintaining the credibility of scholarly publications, and protecting the integrity of the scientific record.

Through the implementation of this Research Misconduct Policy, the journal aims to prevent unethical research and publication practices, ensure appropriate responses to suspected misconduct, and strengthen trust in the scientific literature.

The journal recognizes that research integrity is a shared responsibility among authors, reviewers, editors, academic institutions, and the broader scientific community.

By upholding the principles of ethical conduct, accountability, fairness, transparency, and scientific rigor, SJME (Supremum Journal of Mathematics Education) seeks to ensure that its published articles meet recognized standards of research ethics and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of mathematics education.