Scope

Research misconduct includes serious breaches of research or publication integrity, including fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, deceptive manipulation of images or data, duplicate publication, inappropriate authorship practices, citation manipulation, unethical human or animal research, and material concealment of relevant conflicts.

How Allegations Are Handled

When an allegation is raised, the editorial team assesses it for specificity and plausibility, and seeks a response and relevant supporting information from the author. Where necessary, the team draws on institutional, ethics, regulatory, or other independent evidence. GJCCPH follows applicable COPE guidance throughout this process, distinguishing honest error from misconduct, and documents its findings before taking proportionate editorial action.

Possible Outcomes

Actions may include no further action where concerns are unsupported, author correction, editorial rejection, expression of concern, retraction, notification of an institution or ethics body, or other proportionate measures. The journal may pause publication while a material integrity concern is investigated.

Good-Faith Reporting

The journal encourages reviewers, readers, authors, and institutions to raise good-faith integrity concerns. Information is handled confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.