Allegations of Research Misconduct Policy

This page provides information about the journal's research integrity and publication ethics policies.

1. Purpose and Scope

Altruistik: Jurnal Konseling dan Psikologi Pendidikan is committed to maintaining responsible research practices, academic integrity, transparency, and fairness throughout the scholarly publication process. The journal evaluates concerns relating to the originality, accuracy, reliability, ethical conduct, and reporting of research submitted to or published in Altruistik. All reported concerns are assessed objectively, based on available evidence and relevant publication ethics principles. Unintentional errors and legitimate differences in academic interpretation are not automatically considered ethical violations.

2. Forms of Research and Publication Misconduct

Altruistik recognizes that research and publication integrity may be compromised by practices that affect the originality, accuracy, reliability, transparency, or ethical conduct of scholarly research.

The journal considers the following practices to be potential forms of research or publication misconduct:

• Fabrication: Creating research data, observations, participant records, or findings that did not actually exist.
• Falsification: Inappropriately changing research procedures, instruments, data, analyses, or findings in ways that misrepresent the research.
• Plagiarism: Using another person's ideas, words, data, images, or scholarly work without appropriate acknowledgment or citation.
• Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Submitting or publishing substantially overlapping scholarly work without appropriate disclosure or justification.
• Authorship Misconduct: Improperly including, excluding, or changing authorship, including ghost authorship, guest authorship, and gift authorship.
• Data and Image Manipulation: Altering, selectively presenting, or misrepresenting research data, statistical results, images, or supporting materials.
• Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose relevant financial, personal, professional, academic, or institutional interests.
• Peer-Review Manipulation: Interfering with independent manuscript evaluation through false reviewer identities, misleading information, or inappropriate influence.
• Research Ethics Violations: Failing to obtain required ethical approval, informed consent, or appropriate safeguards for research participants and confidential information.
• Misleading Declarations: Providing inaccurate information about research funding, ethical approval, author contributions, institutional affiliation, or other required statements.

These categories are not exhaustive. All concerns will be assessed according to their nature, supporting evidence, and relevant publication ethics principles. Unintentional errors and legitimate scholarly disagreements do not automatically constitute research misconduct.

3. Reporting Allegations of Misconduct

Altruistik encourages authors, reviewers, editors, readers, researchers, and other interested parties to report credible concerns regarding potential research or publication misconduct involving manuscripts submitted to or articles published in the journal.

Reports should be submitted to the editorial office through the official contact information available on the Altruistik website.

To facilitate an appropriate assessment, reports should include the following information, where available:

1. The title of the manuscript or published article concerned.
2. The names of the authors or other relevant parties, if known.
3. A clear and specific explanation of the suspected misconduct.
4. Supporting documents, research data, references, or other relevant evidence.
5. Contact information that enables the editorial team to request clarification when necessary.

Altruistik encourages concerns to be reported responsibly, accurately, and in good faith. Reports should be based on reasonable grounds and should distinguish factual information from assumptions or interpretations.

The journal will assess reports according to their relevance, credibility, supporting evidence, and potential implications for research and publication integrity.

Knowingly false, malicious, or deliberately misleading allegations are inconsistent with the journal's ethical standards.

Submitting an allegation does not automatically establish that research misconduct has occurred. All reported concerns will be subject to appropriate editorial assessment before any conclusion or action is taken.

4. Preliminary Assessment

Upon receiving a report of suspected research or publication misconduct, the Editor in Chief or a designated editorial representative of Altruistik will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the reported concerns require further examination. The preliminary assessment aims to establish whether the allegation falls within the journal's editorial responsibilities and whether sufficient information or supporting evidence is available to justify further action.

During this stage, the editorial team may examine the following materials:

• The submitted manuscript or published article.
• Research data, methodological information, and supporting documentation.
• Similarity reports and relevant scholarly references.
• Ethical approval documents, informed consent statements, and research declarations, where applicable.
• Author contributions, funding disclosures, and statements of competing interests.
• Other relevant information necessary to evaluate the reported concerns.

The editorial team will assess the credibility, relevance, and seriousness of the allegation while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and impartiality. If the available information is insufficient, the journal may request additional clarification or supporting documentation from the reporting party or other relevant individuals.

Where an allegation falls outside the journal's authority, the editorial team may refer the matter to the appropriate research institution, ethics committee, or other competent body. If the preliminary assessment does not establish reasonable grounds for further examination, the journal may close the case with an appropriate explanation. A preliminary assessment does not constitute a final determination of research misconduct. Any subsequent examination will be conducted according to the journal's publication ethics procedures and principles of procedural fairness.

5. Investigation Procedures

When an allegation of research or publication misconduct requires further examination, Altruistik will implement a fair, impartial, and evidence-based assessment process in accordance with its publication ethics policies. The investigation procedures are intended to establish the nature and seriousness of the reported concerns and determine whether appropriate editorial action is necessary.

Depending on the circumstances, the examination may involve the following steps:

• Reviewing the reported allegation and examining all available supporting evidence, including relevant manuscripts, published articles, research records, and documentation.
• Requesting explanations, clarifications, or additional information from the corresponding author, co-authors, or other individuals directly involved in the research or publication process.
• Consulting independent academic experts, qualified reviewers, or relevant institutional representatives when specialized evaluation or additional professional judgment is required.
• Evaluating the available evidence objectively and providing the parties concerned with a reasonable opportunity to respond to substantive allegations.
• Contacting relevant research institutions, research ethics committees, funding organizations, or other competent authorities when the concerns require formal examination beyond the journal's editorial responsibilities.
• Considering the findings, explanations, and supporting documentation to determine whether the reported concerns have been adequately addressed.
• Making appropriate editorial decisions based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the concerns, and applicable research and publication ethics principles.

Throughout the examination, the editorial team will seek to maintain confidentiality, procedural fairness, editorial independence, and appropriate management of conflicts of interest. Altruistik recognizes that determining whether formal research misconduct has occurred may fall within the authority of research institutions or other competent bodies. Therefore, the journal's examination primarily focuses on identifying appropriate editorial actions necessary to protect the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal may request institutional assistance when access to original research records, participant information, or other evidence requires authority beyond its editorial responsibilities. Editorial decisions will be made proportionately and will not be based solely on unverified allegations or unsupported assumptions.

6. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

Altruistik is committed to handling concerns about research and publication integrity fairly, confidentially, and objectively. Information related to reported concerns will be shared only with individuals or institutions whose involvement is necessary for an appropriate assessment. A reported concern does not automatically establish misconduct. Individuals involved will be given a reasonable opportunity to provide explanations and relevant supporting information. Editorial decisions will be based on available evidence, professional judgment, and applicable publication ethics principles.

7. Editorial Actions and Decisions

Altruistik is committed to making fair, independent, and evidence-based editorial decisions when concerns regarding research or publication integrity have been identified. Editorial actions will be determined according to the nature of the reported concerns, the available evidence, the responses of relevant parties, and applicable publication ethics principles. Depending on the circumstances, the journal may take the following actions:

• Request for Clarification: The editorial team may request explanations, manuscript revisions, research data, ethical approval documents, or other supporting information.
• Manuscript Rejection: A manuscript may be rejected when serious ethical concerns remain unresolved or when substantial evidence indicates violations of publication ethics.
• Publication of Corrections: The journal may issue corrections when errors in a published article can be resolved without invalidating its principal findings or conclusions.
• Expression of Concern: The journal may publish an expression of concern when credible questions about a published article remain unresolved or require further examination.
• Article Retraction: A published article may be retracted when substantial evidence demonstrates that its findings are unreliable or its ethical integrity has been seriously compromised.
• Institutional Referral: Relevant concerns may be referred to research institutions, ethics committees, funding organizations, or other competent authorities when further examination is necessary.
• Additional Editorial Measures: The journal may consider proportionate measures, including restrictions on future submissions, when serious violations have been established and such actions are supported by journal policies.

All decisions will be based on objective assessment, procedural fairness, and the responsibility to maintain an accurate and trustworthy scholarly record. Authors and other relevant parties will be given a reasonable opportunity to provide explanations before substantive editorial decisions are finalized. Corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions will be handled in accordance with the journal's Correction and Retraction Policy. Editorial actions do not automatically establish intentional misconduct. Formal determinations of research misconduct may require investigation by the relevant institutions. Altruistik is committed to ensuring that all editorial actions remain transparent, proportionate, and independent of inappropriate personal, institutional, or commercial influence.

8. Responsibilities of Authors, Reviewers, and Editors

Altruistik recognizes that maintaining research integrity and responsible scholarly publication requires the active participation and accountability of authors, reviewers, and editors.

Authors' Responsibilities

• Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research is conducted, analyzed, and reported honestly, accurately, and ethically.
• Authors must present original research findings, acknowledge relevant scholarly sources, provide accurate data, and disclose required information concerning research ethics, funding, authorship, and conflicts of interest. When questions arise regarding the accuracy, reliability, or ethical integrity of a manuscript, authors are expected to cooperate with reasonable editorial inquiries and provide appropriate clarification or supporting documentation.

Reviewers' Responsibilities

• Reviewers are responsible for evaluating manuscripts objectively, maintaining confidentiality, and identifying potential concerns related to research and publication integrity.
• Reviewers should promptly inform the editorial team when they identify possible plagiarism, inaccurate research reporting, questionable data presentation, ethical concerns, or other suspected publication irregularities.
• Reviewers must not disclose confidential manuscript information or conduct unauthorized investigations involving the authors or their institutions.

Editors' Responsibilities

• Editors are responsible for maintaining fairness, independence, confidentiality, and transparency throughout the editorial assessment process. 
• Editors must evaluate reported concerns objectively, consider relevant evidence, manage conflicts of interest, and ensure that authors are given reasonable opportunities to provide clarification.
• When necessary, editors may seek independent expert advice or refer matters requiring formal investigation to the relevant research institutions or competent authorities.
• Shared Commitment to Research Integrity

Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to comply with the journal's publication ethics policies and contribute to a responsible, transparent, and trustworthy scholarly publishing process. Altruistik is committed to ensuring that concerns regarding research integrity are addressed fairly, professionally, and in accordance with applicable publication ethics principles.

9. Appeals and Further Information

Altruistik recognizes the right of authors and other relevant parties to submit a formal appeal when they believe that an editorial decision concerning research or publication integrity requires reconsideration. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the editorial office through the official communication channels provided on the journal website. An appeal should include a clear explanation of the reasons for requesting reconsideration, together with relevant evidence, supporting documentation, or additional information.

The journal will consider appeals based on the following principles:

• Procedural Fairness: Appeals may be considered when there are reasonable concerns regarding the fairness, consistency, or appropriateness of the editorial assessment process.
• Supporting Evidence: Requests for reconsideration should be supported by relevant information, including new evidence or clarification of previously available materials.
• Independent Assessment: Appeals will be reviewed by an editor or designated representative who has no relevant conflict of interest in the matter. Independent expert advice may be requested when necessary.
• Objective Decision-Making: The editorial team will evaluate appeals according to the available evidence, applicable publication ethics principles, and the integrity of the scholarly record.
• Institutional Referral: Matters requiring formal investigation beyond the journal's authority may be referred to the relevant research institution, ethics committee, or other competent body.

Submission of an appeal does not automatically result in the reversal of an editorial decision. The journal will communicate the outcome of the appeal to the relevant parties while respecting confidentiality and applicable ethical obligations. Altruistik remains committed to handling appeals fairly, transparently, and professionally, with the aim of maintaining confidence in its editorial procedures and scholarly publications.

10. Publication Ethics Framework

Altruistik: Jurnal Konseling dan Psikologi Pendidikan is committed to maintaining responsible research practices, academic integrity, editorial independence, and transparency throughout the scholarly publication process. The journal addresses concerns regarding research and publication integrity in accordance with its established editorial policies and relevant principles and guidance provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The implementation of this policy is guided by the following principles:

• Research Integrity: Authors are expected to conduct and report research honestly, accurately, transparently, and in accordance with applicable academic and ethical standards.
• Editorial Independence: Editorial decisions must be based on scholarly merit, available evidence, and relevant publication ethics principles, without inappropriate personal, institutional, or commercial influence.
• Fair and Objective Assessment: All reported concerns will be evaluated impartially, with appropriate consideration of supporting information and the rights of the parties involved.
• Transparency and Accountability: Authors, reviewers, and editors are responsible for providing accurate information, disclosing relevant interests, and cooperating with appropriate editorial procedures.
• Confidentiality: Information obtained during manuscript evaluation and the examination of ethical concerns will be protected in accordance with applicable ethical and legal requirements.
• Proportionate Editorial Action: Any corrective or administrative measures will be determined according to the nature and seriousness of the concerns and the available supporting evidence.
• Protection of the Scholarly Record: The journal will take appropriate measures to maintain the accuracy, reliability, accessibility, and integrity of published research.

This policy should be read together with the journal's other relevant policies, including:

• Publication Ethics and Misconduct Policy.
• Plagiarism Policy.
• Authorship and Contributorship Policy.
• Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Peer Review Policy.
• Correction and Retraction Policy.
• Post-Publication Discussion Policy.
• Research Ethics and Informed Consent Requirements.

These policies collectively establish the journal's expectations concerning responsible research conduct, manuscript evaluation, ethical accountability, and the management of publication-related concerns. Altruistik recognizes that maintaining scholarly integrity requires cooperation among authors, reviewers, editors, research institutions, and the wider academic community.

Through the implementation of this ethical framework, Altruistik seeks to promote responsible scholarly communication, strengthen public confidence in academic publishing, and uphold the credibility of research in Guidance and Counseling, Educational Psychology, and related disciplines.