Policy of Dealing with Allegations of Research Misconduct

The Journal of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, transparency, accountability, and publication ethics. The journal does not tolerate research misconduct or deliberate violations of accepted scholarly standards.

The journal follows relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and uses applicable COPE flowcharts when assessing and responding to allegations of research or publication misconduct.

COPE Guidance and Flowcharts

1. Definition of Research Misconduct

For the purposes of this policy, research misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

• Fabrication of research data or results.
• Falsification or inappropriate manipulation of data, images, or research findings.
• Plagiarism or unauthorized appropriation of another person's work.
• Duplicate or redundant publication.
• Manipulation or inappropriate modification of research images.
• Undisclosed or inappropriate authorship.
• Fabricated authorship or ghost/gift authorship.
• Manipulation of the peer-review process.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the research.
• Failure to obtain required ethical approval.
• Failure to obtain required informed consent.
• Unethical treatment of human participants or animals.
• Deliberate manipulation of citations or references.
• Submission of fraudulent documentation.
• Misrepresentation of research findings or methodology.
• Other serious violations of recognized research-integrity standards.

2. Author Responsibility

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research and manuscript comply with the journal's requirements and recognized ethical standards.

Before submission, all authors must carefully read and comply with the journal's Author Guidelines, Publication Ethics Policy, Research Ethics Policy, and other applicable editorial policies.

Authors must ensure that:

• The research has been conducted ethically.
• The submitted work is original.
• Data and results are accurately reported.
• Appropriate ethical approval has been obtained where required.
• Informed consent has been obtained where applicable.
• All sources are appropriately cited.
• Authorship and contributorship are accurately reported.
• Conflicts of interest are disclosed.
• Funding sources are transparently reported.
• Required plagiarism/similarity screening documentation is provided.
• All declarations submitted to the journal are truthful and complete.

3. Reporting Suspected Misconduct

Concerns regarding possible research misconduct may be raised by:

• Authors.
• Reviewers.
• Editors.
• Editorial Board members.
• Readers.
• Researchers.
• Institutions.
• Other individuals with credible information.

Allegations should provide sufficient information or evidence to allow the Editorial Office to assess the concern.

Anonymous allegations may be considered where sufficient credible evidence is provided.

4. Initial Editorial Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editorial Office will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's responsibility and whether there is sufficient information to warrant further investigation.

The journal will avoid reaching conclusions solely on the basis of an allegation.

Where appropriate, the Editor-in-Chief or a designated independent editor may assess:

• The nature of the allegation.
• Available evidence.
• The manuscript or published article.
• Relevant research documentation.
• Previous publications.
• Ethical approval information.
• Author responses.
• Potential conflicts of interest.

5. Confidentiality

Allegations of misconduct will be handled confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.

Information relating to an investigation will be shared only with individuals who need it for legitimate editorial, ethical, or investigative purposes.

The journal will seek to avoid unnecessary reputational harm to individuals against whom allegations are made before the matter has been properly assessed.

6. Contacting the Authors

Where appropriate, the Editorial Office may contact the corresponding author and/or other relevant authors to request:

• An explanation.
• Original data.
• Research records.
• Ethical approval documentation.
• Informed consent information.
• Authorship documentation.
• Conflict-of-interest information.
• Original images or files.
• Clarification of methodology or results.

Authors are expected to cooperate with reasonable editorial requests.

7. Institutional Involvement

The journal recognizes that some allegations, particularly serious allegations of research misconduct, may require investigation by the authors' institution, employer, research organization, ethics committee, or other competent authority.

Where appropriate, the journal may refer or communicate the matter to the relevant institution.

The journal may request that the institution conduct an appropriate investigation and provide the outcome where relevant.

8. COPE Flowcharts

The journal follows applicable COPE flowcharts and guidance when dealing with suspected misconduct, including issues involving:

• Fabrication and falsification.
• Plagiarism.
• Duplicate publication.
• Authorship disputes.
• Manipulated peer review.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
• Ethical approval and consent concerns.
• Post-publication integrity issues.

The appropriate procedure may vary depending on the nature and seriousness of the allegation.

COPE Guidance

9. Fair and Evidence-Based Investigation

The journal seeks to handle allegations objectively and fairly.

An allegation does not automatically establish misconduct.

The Editorial Office will consider relevant evidence and give authors a reasonable opportunity to respond before taking significant editorial action, where appropriate.

However, where immediate action is necessary to protect research participants or the integrity of the scholarly record, the journal may take precautionary measures while an investigation is ongoing.

10. Manuscripts Under Review

If credible evidence of serious misconduct arises before publication, the journal may:

• Suspend peer review.
• Request additional documentation.
• Require clarification or correction.
• Reject the manuscript.
• Refer the matter to the relevant institution.
• Take other appropriate action consistent with COPE guidance.

11. Published Articles

Where an allegation concerns an article that has already been published, the journal may investigate the matter and take appropriate action to protect the integrity of the published record.

Depending on the findings, possible actions include:

• Correction.
• Erratum.
• Editorial clarification.
• Expression of Concern.
• Retraction.
• Removal of specific content where legally or ethically necessary.
• Notification of the relevant institution or authority.

12. Expression of Concern

An Expression of Concern may be published when substantial concerns exist about a published article but an investigation has not yet reached a definitive conclusion.

An Expression of Concern is intended to alert readers while the matter is being investigated or resolved.

13. Retraction

A published article may be retracted where the evidence demonstrates that the article contains serious problems that compromise the reliability or integrity of the scholarly record.

Potential grounds may include:

• Fabricated data.
• Falsified results.
• Serious plagiarism.
• Major ethical violations.
• Unethical research involving human or animal participants.
• Serious manipulation of research findings.
• Materially unreliable results.
• Other circumstances consistent with recognized retraction standards.

The journal will follow appropriate COPE principles when considering retraction.

14. Corrections

Where an error does not invalidate the overall reliability of the research, the journal may publish a correction rather than retract the article.

The objective is to maintain an accurate and transparent scholarly record.

15. Protection of Whistleblowers

The journal will make reasonable efforts to protect individuals who raise legitimate concerns in good faith.

Individuals reporting potential misconduct should provide accurate information and avoid knowingly making malicious or defamatory allegations.

The journal does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who raise legitimate research-integrity concerns.

16. False or Malicious Allegations

Knowingly submitting false, fabricated, or malicious allegations may itself constitute inappropriate conduct.

The journal may take appropriate action where there is credible evidence that an allegation was deliberately fabricated or submitted for improper purposes.

17. Author Cooperation

Authors are expected to cooperate fully with legitimate investigations.

Failure to provide requested information, deliberate obstruction, submission of false documentation, or refusal to cooperate may be considered when determining appropriate editorial action.

Where necessary, the journal may communicate non-cooperation to the relevant institution or authority.

18. Appeals

Authors may raise a legitimate appeal concerning an editorial decision according to the journal's Complaints and Appeals Policy.

Appeals should provide substantive reasons or relevant new evidence rather than simply disagreeing with an editorial decision.

19. Post-Investigation Actions

Following an investigation, the journal may take one or more appropriate actions depending on the circumstances:

These actions are not mutually exclusive and will depend on the specific circumstances.

20. Commitment to Research Integrity

The Journal of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology is committed to protecting the integrity of the scholarly record. Allegations of misconduct are treated seriously, objectively, and confidentially, with appropriate consideration of evidence and the rights of all parties involved.

The journal expects all authors, reviewers, editors, and contributors to understand and comply with the journal's Author Guidelines and ethical policies before participating in the publication process.

Where misconduct is established or serious concerns remain unresolved, the journal reserves the right to take appropriate editorial action in accordance with COPE guidance, applicable ethical standards, and the principles of responsible scholarly publishing.