Allegations of Misconduct

The International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (IJERD) has a zero-tolerance policy related to research misconduct. IJERD’s Editorial Board shall thoroughly investigate potential research misconduct and related matters maintaining open and confidential communications with the corresponding or other author(s). IJERD investigations are completed in a timely manner and are guided by COPE’s recommended policies and procedures. All investigations are free from external influence and are consistent and equitable.

IJERD Editorial Board decisions related to research misconduct and subsequent actions shall be final and without the possibility of appeal.

Purpose

To uphold the highest standards of research integrity and ethical publishing, IJERD established this policy to manage allegations of misconduct relating to submitted or published work. The policy ensures fair, transparent, and prompt resolution of such matters consistent with IJERD’s commitment to ethical development and scholarly excellence.

Definition of Misconduct

Misconduct includes but is not limited to:

  • Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in research or publication
  • Duplicate or redundant publication without proper citation or justification
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest influencing research or publication
  • Breach of ethical standards in human or animal research
  • Manipulation or suppression of research findings
  • Any other unethical behavior breaching publication ethics

Reporting Allegations

  • Allegations of misconduct may be raised by authors, reviewers, editors, readers, or third party complainants.
  • Reports should be submitted in writing via email to the Editor-in-Chief at the official IJERD contact address provided on ISERD’s website.

Initial Assessment

  • The IJERD Editor-in-Chief shall promptly acknowledge receipt of the allegation.
  • The IJERD Editor-in-Chief leads an initial assessment to determine if the allegation is credible and within the journal’s scope for investigation.
  • If an allegation falls outside IJERD’s scope or provides insufficient details, the reporter shall be promptly notified of the rationale and, where applicable, directed to the appropriate authority.
  • If the allegation is within IJERD’s jurisdiction and it is deemed credible, the allegation is pursued with a thorough and timely investigation.

Investigation Process

  • Valid allegations trigger a confidential and thorough investigation led by IJERD’s Editor-in-Chief, often in consultation with the IJERD Editorial Board. If necessary, external experts or an Ethics Advisory Board shall be consulted.
  • Authors and accused parties are offered an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
  • Evidence is carefully gathered, including original data, peer reviews, and publication history.

Outcomes and Actions

  • If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions may include:
    • IJERD issuing a correction, retraction, or expression of concern per journal policy
    • Notifying authors’ institutions or funding bodies when applicable
  • Restricting the offending author(s) from submitting future work for a defined, time‑limited period or, if warranted, permanently.  If the misconduct allegation is unsubstantiated, IJERD may issue a resolution statement,  and the reported allegation is closed.

Confidentiality and Fairness

  • All investigations are confidentially conducted to protect all parties involved.
  • The investigation process is not influenced by internal or external parties which ensures equitable and fair treatment, allowing all parties to present and respond to the alleged allegation and related evidence..

Communication

  • The IJERD Editor-in-Chief maintains communication with the complainant related to the progress and outcome of the investigation while respecting confidentiality for all parties.
  • Any public notices such as retractions or corrections issued by IJERD shall include appropriate details about the allegation preserving transparency and scholarly record integrity as required.

Responsibilities

  • Authors, peer reviewers, and editors are required to familiarize themselves and comply with this IJERD policy.
  • IJERD and ISERD promote a culture of ethical research and publication by providing these guidelines and support to prevent misconduct.
  • IJERD and ISERD encourage all authors, peer reviewers, and editors to remain informed and current with all relevant policies and standards related to misconduct.