ACS Publisher

Allegations of Image Duplication or Manipulation

Image duplication or manipulation involves altering or duplicating images in a way that misrepresents the data or findings of a study. This type of misconduct can severely undermine the trustworthiness and credibility of scientific research. ISRR is committed to addressing allegations of image duplication or manipulation rigorously and fairly, ensuring the integrity of the published research.

Definitions

  1. Image Duplication: The reuse of identical or nearly identical images in multiple parts of a publication or across different publications without appropriate attribution or acknowledgment.
  2. Image Manipulation: Altering images in a way that misleads the interpretation of the data. This can include adjusting contrast, brightness, or colors, cropping, or splicing images to misrepresent results.

Handling Allegations of Image Duplication or Manipulation

Initial Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation of image duplication or manipulation, the editorial office conducts an initial assessment to determine the nature and scope of the complaint. This involves:

  1. Reviewing the Allegation: Examining the specifics of the complaint to understand the type of alleged image misconduct.
  2. Gathering Initial Information: Collecting preliminary information from the complainant, such as relevant documents, images, and evidence that support the allegation.

The initial assessment helps to establish whether the complaint warrants a formal investigation.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Throughout the process, confidentiality will be maintained to protect the identities of all parties involved. If the complainant wishes to remain anonymous, ISRR will respect this request while ensuring a fair and thorough investigation.

Notification and Response

If the initial assessment indicates that the allegation warrants further investigation, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Notification of Relevant Parties: The corresponding author of the publication in question will be informed about the allegation and requested to provide a response within a specified timeframe.
  2. Communication with All Authors: All listed authors will be notified of the allegation and asked to provide their perspectives and any relevant documentation regarding their use of images.

The goal of this step is to gather comprehensive information from all parties involved to understand the circumstances surrounding the alleged image misconduct.

Formation of an Investigation Committee

To ensure an impartial and thorough investigation, a committee of experts with no conflicts of interest in the case will be formed. This committee will be responsible for reviewing all evidence and making a determination regarding the allegation.

Evidence Collection

The investigation committee will gather all relevant documents, communications, and data related to the allegation. This may involve:

  1. Reviewing Images: Examining the images in question using specialized software tools to identify any signs of duplication or manipulation.
  2. Comparing Publications: Comparing the images in the accused publication with images in other publications to identify potential duplications or manipulations.
  3. Collecting Statements: Requesting detailed statements from all authors describing their use of images and the processes involved in image acquisition and editing.
  4. Examining Correspondence: Reviewing email communications and other correspondence between authors to understand the decision-making process regarding image handling.

Decision-Making Process

The investigation committee will review all collected evidence and statements to determine the validity of the allegation. The decision-making process includes:

  1. Evaluation of Evidence: Assessing the credibility and weight of the evidence presented. This involves cross-referencing images, examining publication records, and reviewing correspondence to verify the integrity of the image data.
  2. Consensus Building: Reaching a consensus on whether the allegation is substantiated or unsubstantiated. The committee will consider the extent and nature of the alleged duplication or manipulation.
  3. Recommendation of Actions: Recommending appropriate actions based on the findings, which may include corrections to the publication record, retractions, or other measures.

Communication of Findings

The findings of the investigation will be communicated to all relevant parties, including the complainant and the authors. This communication will include:

  1. Summary of Findings: Providing a detailed summary of the investigation's findings and the rationale for the decision.
  2. Recommended Actions: Describing any recommended actions and the steps that will be taken to implement them. This may include issuing corrections or retractions in the journal.
  3. Appeal Process: Informing the parties about the process for appealing the decision, if applicable.

Implementation of Actions

The recommended actions will be implemented promptly to address the allegation and prevent future occurrences. This may involve:

  1. Corrections to the Publication Record: Issuing a correction to the publication record in the journal if changes are warranted. This ensures that the publication history is accurate and transparent.
  2. Retractions: Retracting the paper if the duplication or manipulation is extensive and impacts the integrity of the research. This step is taken only in cases where the issue significantly affects the validity of the research findings.
  3. Policy Changes: Implementing changes to editorial policies or procedures to prevent similar issues in the future. This may include revising guidelines on image handling and processing.
  4. Disciplinary Actions: Taking disciplinary actions against individuals found to have engaged in image duplication or manipulation. This may include a ban on future submissions to the journal for a specified period.

Public Notification

In cases where the misconduct significantly affects the integrity of the research, a public notification may be issued. This notification will inform the academic community about the misconduct and the actions taken to address it. The notification will be published in an appropriate section of the journal to ensure transparency and accountability.

Institutional Notification

The institutions affiliated with the authors involved in the misconduct will be informed about the findings and actions taken. This step ensures that the institutions are aware of the issue and can take appropriate measures to address it within their own policies and procedures.

Documentation and Reporting

All steps of the investigation process will be thoroughly documented to ensure transparency and accountability. This documentation includes:

  1. Records of Communication: Keeping detailed records of all communications related to the allegation. This includes emails, letters, and meeting notes.
  2. Investigation Reports: Maintaining comprehensive reports of the investigation findings and decisions. These reports will be stored securely and may be referenced in future cases to ensure consistency in handling allegations.
  3. Annual Reporting: Including summaries of allegations and their resolutions in annual reports to the journal's editorial board. This helps to monitor trends in image duplication and manipulation and evaluate the effectiveness of the journal's policies and procedures.

Prevention and Education

To prevent image duplication and manipulation and promote ethical research practices, ISRR will implement educational initiatives for authors, reviewers, and editors. These initiatives may include:

  1. Workshops on Ethical Image Handling: Conducting workshops and seminars on ethical research practices and the importance of image integrity. These workshops will provide guidance on how to avoid image duplication and manipulation.
  2. Guidelines and Resources: Providing clear guidelines and resources on ethical image handling practices on the journal's website. This includes detailed explanations of common image manipulation techniques and best practices for maintaining image integrity.
  3. Image Analysis Tools: Encouraging authors to use image analysis tools to check for unintentional duplications or manipulations before submitting their manuscripts.

Continuous Improvement

ISRR is committed to continuously improving its policies and procedures for handling allegations. Regular reviews of the guidelines and feedback from the academic community will be used to refine and enhance the process. This ensures that the journal maintains the highest standards of integrity and transparency in research and publication.