Policy for the Evaluation of Allegations of Ethical Misconduct
The credibility of scholarly publishing depends on the impartial, systematic, and transparent handling of allegations of scientific misconduct. Forbes Journal of Medicine, under the governance of Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital, adopts procedures aligned with the principles of international publication ethics organizations—including COPE, ICMJE, WAME, and CSE—as well as applicable national regulations.
Definition and Reporting Channels
Ethical misconduct includes serious violations such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. Suspected misconduct may be:
• Identified and reported by authors, reviewers, editors, or readers;
• Detected through statistical checks, replication attempts, or digital forensic analysis.
In cases of suspected ethical violation:
• The journal editor is responsible for the initial assessment.
• Authority to conduct a formal investigation lies not with the editor but with the author’s affiliated institution, funding bodies, or authorized ethics committees.
Publication Ethics Investigation Procedure
1. Confidential Preliminary Assessment
The editor evaluates the nature and seriousness of the allegation. Additional evidence may be requested from the complainant if necessary.
2. Request for Author Explanation
If the allegation appears credible, the editor contacts the corresponding author(s) confidentially to request clarification.
3. Evaluation of the Author’s Response
• If misconduct is ed:
– A signed statement is requested from the author(s).
– Retraction procedures may be initiated if warranted.
– The author’s institution is formally notified.
• If the explanation is satisfactory:
– The complainant is informed that no ethical violation has been identified.
• If the explanation is insufficient or not provided:
– The case is referred to the author’s institution or relevant ethics authority.
– Written confirmation, an investigation plan, and a projected timeline are requested.
– Institutions are expected to initiate the investigation ideally within 60 days of notification.
Confidentiality and Inter-Institutional Cooperation
• All processes are conducted confidentially, and the identities of involved parties are protected.
• Communication occurs only with authorized individuals and preferably through confidential correspondence or direct meetings.
• If an ethical concern affects multiple journals, confidential coordination among the editors may be established.
Institutional Commitment
Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital is committed to ensuring that allegations of ethical misconduct within Forbes Journal of Medicine are evaluated meticulously; that the integrity of the scientific record is upheld; and that transparency in publication processes is strengthened. This policy represents a core dimension of the institution’s responsibility to the scholarly community.