Allegations of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and inappropriate citation practices in the conduct, evaluation, writing, or publication of scientific research. The Indonesian Journal of Hospital Administration (IJHAA) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and safeguarding the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scientific literature.

When allegations of research misconduct or other serious publication irregularities arise, the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board will address the concerns in accordance with established publication ethics principles and the relevant guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All allegations will be handled objectively, confidentially, and fairly. Manuscripts found to involve research misconduct will be rejected. If misconduct is identified in an already published article, the journal may issue a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction, as appropriate to the nature and severity of the case. Any retraction notice will be linked to the original publication to maintain transparency and preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

The initial assessment will determine whether the allegation is supported by sufficient preliminary evidence and falls within the scope of research misconduct or other serious publication ethics violations. The Editors will also consider whether the individuals raising the concerns have any relevant conflicts of interest that could affect the assessment.

If the preliminary evaluation indicates a reasonable possibility of misconduct or substantial irregularities, the corresponding author will be contacted and asked to provide a comprehensive explanation on behalf of all co-authors. The Editors will carefully evaluate the response and may seek additional evidence or consult independent experts, including methodological or statistical reviewers, when necessary.

If the available evidence does not establish research misconduct but identifies errors or issues that require clarification, the journal may request further explanations, additional analyses, or appropriate corrections to the published article. Such actions will be determined based on the findings of the assessment and the potential impact of the issues on the validity and interpretation of the research.

The Indonesian Journal of Hospital Administration recognizes that authors, editors, reviewers, and relevant research institutions share responsibility for upholding research integrity. Where necessary, the journal may refer allegations to the authors’ affiliated institutions for further investigation. All editorial decisions and subsequent actions will be proportionate to the evidence and consistent with applicable publication ethics standards. Through these procedures, IJHA seeks to protect the reliability of published research and maintain public trust in the scientific record.