Allegations of Research Misconduct

The International Journal of Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology (IJCMP) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly integrity. Allegations of research misconduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, citation manipulation, and data falsification or fabrication, are taken very seriously. The journal follows established processes to identify, prevent, and address any such misconduct.

Preventive Measures

  1. Screening of Submissions:
    • All submissions undergo rigorous screening for plagiarism using Turnitin software.
    • Editors and reviewers are trained to detect potential ethical issues in manuscripts.
  2. Editorial Oversight:
    • Editors actively ensure that the peer review process is fair and unbiased, minimizing risks of ethical lapses during the publication process.

Handling Allegations of Research Misconduct

If an allegation of research misconduct is raised, either during the review process or after publication, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Initial Assessment:
    • The editor-in-chief will review the allegation to determine its validity and seriousness.
    • If necessary, the editor may seek additional information or clarification from the complainant.
  2. Investigation:
    • If the allegation appears credible, the editor-in-chief will initiate an investigation in consultation with the journal’s editorial board and/or the publisher.
    • The corresponding author will be contacted, and an opportunity to respond to the allegation will be provided. Co-authors may also be contacted as part of the investigation.
  3. Adherence to COPE Guidelines:
    • IJCMP follows the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure a thorough, fair, and transparent process. This may include consultation with the authors’ institutions or funding agencies.
  4. Outcomes:
    Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, including but not limited to:
    • Rejection of the manuscript (if under review).
    • Retraction or correction of the published article, accompanied by a formal statement explaining the reasons.
    • Notification to the authors’ institutions, funders, or relevant authorities, where applicable.
  5. Transparency:
    • If research misconduct is confirmed, a statement detailing the findings and actions taken will be published on the journal’s website to maintain transparency and accountability.