Research Standards Violations

Research standards violations involve breaches of established ethical guidelines and best practices in conducting and reporting research. These violations can range from non-compliance with regulatory requirements to unethical treatment of research subjects. At ISRR, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity and addressing any allegations of research standards violations rigorously and fairly.

Definitions

Ethical Violations: Failure to adhere to ethical guidelines for the treatment of research subjects, including humans and animals.
Regulatory Non-Compliance: Non-compliance with local, national, or international regulations governing research conduct.
Data Management Violations: Improper handling, storage, or sharing of research data.
Confidentiality Breaches: Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, including participant identities and proprietary data.
Conflict of Interest Violations: Failure to disclose financial, personal, or professional interests that could bias the research.

Handling Allegations of Research Standards Violations

Initial Assessment

Upon receiving an allegation of a research standards violation, the editorial office conducts an initial assessment to determine the nature and scope of the complaint. This involves:

Reviewing the Allegation: Examining the specifics of the complaint to understand the type of alleged violation.
Gathering Initial Information: Collecting preliminary information from the complainant, including relevant documents, communications, and evidence supporting the allegation.

The initial assessment helps 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:

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.
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 research conduct.

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

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:

Reviewing Research Protocols: Examining the research protocols and methodologies used in the study to identify any deviations from standard practices.
Collecting Statements: Requesting detailed statements from all authors describing their adherence to ethical and regulatory guidelines during the research.
Examining Correspondence: Reviewing email communications and other correspondence between authors and institutional review boards (IRBs) or ethics committees to understand the approval and oversight process.
Assessing Compliance Documentation: Evaluating compliance documentation, such as IRB approvals, informed consent forms, and data management plans.

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:

Evaluation of Evidence: Assessing the credibility and weight of the evidence presented. This involves cross-referencing research protocols, compliance documents, and correspondence to verify adherence to research standards.
Consensus Building: Reaching a consensus on whether the allegation is substantiated or unsubstantiated. The committee will consider the extent and nature of the alleged violation.
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:

Summary of Findings: Providing a detailed summary of the investigation's findings and the rationale for the decision.
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.
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:

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.
Retractions: Retracting the paper if the violations are extensive and impact the integrity of the research. This step is taken only in cases where the issue significantly affects the validity of the research findings.
Policy Changes: Implementing changes to editorial policies or procedures to prevent similar issues in the future. This may include revising guidelines on ethical research conduct and compliance.
Disciplinary Actions: Taking disciplinary actions against individuals found to have engaged in research standards violations. 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:

Records of Communication: Keeping detailed records of all communications related to the allegation. This includes emails, letters, and meeting notes.
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.
Annual Reporting: Including summaries of allegations and their resolutions in annual reports to the journal's editorial board. This helps to monitor trends in research standards violations and evaluate the effectiveness of the journal's policies and procedures.

Prevention and Education

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

Workshops on Research Ethics and Compliance: Conducting workshops and seminars on ethical research practices and compliance with regulatory requirements. These workshops will provide guidance on how to avoid research standards violations and ensure ethical conduct.
Guidelines and Resources: Providing clear guidelines and resources on ethical research practices on the journal's website. This includes detailed explanations of ethical guidelines, regulatory requirements, and best practices for research conduct.
Compliance Tools: Encouraging authors to use compliance tools and protocols to ensure adherence to ethical and regulatory guidelines during their research.

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.