Misconduct Policy

October 14, 2025

Misconduct Policy

How We Handle Allegations

When potential misconduct is identified, either before or after publication, we follow a transparent and structured process:

  • Initial Assessment
  • Editors conduct a preliminary review to determine whether the concern has merit.
  • Investigation
  • Where appropriate, we contact the authors and, if necessary, their affiliated institution or funding body to gather further information.
  • Adjudication
  • Investigations follow the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Independent experts may be consulted.
  • Resolution
  • Depending on the outcome, actions may include
  • Correction of the record.
  • Retraction of the article.
  • Notification of affected parties (institutions, funders, readers).
  • Restrictions on future submissions.

What Constitutes Misconduct

We define misconduct broadly, in alignment with international publishing ethics standards, including but not limited to

Plagiarism

Using another’s words, data, or ideas without proper attribution.

Fabrication

Making up data, results, or findings

Falsification

Manipulating research materials, processes, or data to misrepresent findings.

Duplicate or Redundant Publication

Submitting the same work to multiple journals or republishing previously published work without disclosure

Improper Authorship Practices

Including individuals who did not contribute significantly (“gift authorship”) or excluding those who did (“ghost authorship”).

Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest

Failure to disclose financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could bias the work.

Manipulation of Peer Review

Attempting to influence the review process through fraudulent reviewer identities or coercion

Unethical Research Practices

Failure to secure required approvals, consent, or compliance with ethical standards for human or animal research.

Reviewer and Editor Responsibilities

  • Evaluate submissions objectively, without personal or professional bias.
  • Report suspected misconduct confidentially to the editorial office.
  • Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts under review.
  • Disclose conflicts of interest before accepting review or editorial assignments.

Consequences of Misconduct

Global Journals® may take the following actions in proven cases of misconduct

  • Public retraction of the article, with reasons clearly stated
  • Notification of the author’s institution or funding body
  • Blacklisting of authors from future submissions for a defined period
  • Reporting serious ethical violations to regulatory or professional authorities

Author Responsibilities

Submit only original, accurate, and properly cited work.

Disclose all funding sources, conflicts of interest, and relevant approvals.

Ensure that all listed authors meet accepted authorship criteria and that no contributors are omitted

Respond promptly and transparently if contacted during an investigation.

Our Commitment

We are committed to preserving the integrity of the scholarly record. By adhering to strict misconduct policies, we protect authors, reviewers, editors, and readers, and ensure that research published by Global Journals® remains credible, reliable, and impactful.