The Iraqi Journal of Embryos and Infertility Researches (IJEIR) takes all allegations of research and publication misconduct very seriously. We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the scientific record and strictly adhere to the flowcharts and guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
What Constitutes Misconduct?
Research and publication misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following unethical behaviors:
- Data Fabrication: The intentional creation or making up of false research data or results.
- Data Falsification: The manipulation of research materials, equipment, or processes, or the selective changing/omitting of data such that the research is not accurately represented.
- Plagiarism: Presenting the work or ideas of others as one's own without appropriate citation.
- Unethical Research Practices: Conducting research involving human subjects or animals without the requisite ethical approvals or informed consent.
- Authorship Violations: Including "guest" or "gift" authors who did not contribute significantly to the work, or omitting "ghost" authors who did contribute.
- Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failing to declare financial, personal, or professional affiliations that could influence the research.
- Redundant/Duplicate Publication: Submitting or publishing essentially the same research in multiple journals concurrently.
Procedure for Handling Allegations
Allegations of misconduct can be raised by reviewers, editors, readers, or whistleblowers. When an allegation is brought to the attention of the Editorial Office:
- Initial Assessment: The Editor-in-Chief will conduct an initial review to determine if the allegation is credible and supported by evidence.
- Author Notification: If the allegation has merit, the corresponding author will be contacted, presented with the details of the concern, and given a formal opportunity to respond and provide explanations or raw data.
- Investigation: Depending on the author's response, the Editor-in-Chief may consult with the Editorial Board or external experts to evaluate the evidence.
- Institutional Involvement: If the evidence is complex or inconclusive, or points to severe institutional-level misconduct (such as large-scale data fabrication), IJEIR may request the author's home institution or funding body to conduct a formal investigation.
Outcomes and Sanctions
If misconduct is proven, the journal will take proportionate action, which may include:
- Rejection: Immediate rejection of the manuscript under consideration.
- Correction: Publishing an Erratum or Corrigendum if the error was honest but significant.
- Retraction: Formally retracting a published article if the findings are proven unreliable due to fabrication, falsification, or severe plagiarism.
- Embargo: Banning the offending authors from submitting future manuscripts to IJEIR for a specified period (e.g., 3 to 5 years).
- Notification: Informing the authors' institutions, superiors, or relevant ethical oversight bodies of the misconduct.
IJEIR protects the anonymity of whistleblowers and handles all investigations with strict confidentiality to protect both the accused (until proven guilty) and the accuser.