The International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Economy (IJITE) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of research integrity and ethical conduct. Research misconduct undermines the trustworthiness of scientific findings and violates ethical principles. IJITE follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to address cases of research misconduct and ensure transparency and accountability.

1. Definition of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Fabrication: Making up data, results, or findings and recording or reporting them as legitimate.
• Falsification: Manipulating research materials, processes, or data to misrepresent the research.
• Plagiarism: Using the words, ideas, or work of others without proper acknowledgment, including self-plagiarism or redundant publication.
• Improper Authorship: Including individuals as authors who have not made a substantial contribution to the research or omitting contributors who have.
• Failure to Disclose Conflicts of Interest: Withholding information on financial, personal, or professional relationships that may influence the research.

2. Prevention and Detection of Misconduct

IJITE takes proactive steps to prevent and detect misconduct in research:

• Plagiarism Screening: All submissions are screened for plagiarism using plagiarism detection software to ensure originality and appropriate citation of sources.
• Ethical Compliance Checks: The editorial team verifies compliance with ethical standards, including appropriate approvals for studies involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data.
• Reviewer Vigilance: Peer reviewers are encouraged to identify potential ethical concerns and notify the editors if they suspect any form of misconduct.

3. Responding to Suspected Misconduct

When research misconduct is suspected, IJITE follows a structured procedure to investigate and address the issue fairly and transparently:

1. Initial Assessment: The editorial team conducts a preliminary assessment to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support further investigation.
2. Notification and Inquiry: If the suspicion of misconduct is credible, the editorial office contacts the corresponding author to provide an opportunity for explanation. The authors' affiliated institution may also be notified if necessary.
3. Investigation and Action: Following the COPE guidelines, an investigation is carried out in coordination with relevant stakeholders. Depending on the findings, actions may include correction, retraction, or other measures to address the misconduct.

4. Consequences of Research Misconduct

Consequences for confirmed cases of research misconduct include:

• Rejection of Manuscript: If misconduct is identified during the review process, the manuscript will be rejected, and the authors will be notified.
• Retraction of Published Article: If misconduct is discovered post-publication, the article will be retracted with a statement explaining the reason. Retractions are clearly marked on the journal website.
• Reporting to Institutions: In cases of severe misconduct, IJITE may report the issue to the authors' affiliated institutions or relevant authorities for further investigation.
• Ban on Future Submissions: Authors found to have committed serious misconduct may be banned from submitting to IJITE for a specified period.

5. Appeals Process

Authors who disagree with a decision regarding misconduct may submit an appeal. The appeal will be reviewed by an independent editor or ethical review board, and a final decision will be made in line with COPE guidelines.

6. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors, Editors, and Reviewers

• Authors: Authors are expected to ensure the accuracy of their data, avoid misconduct, and cooperate with any investigations.
• Editors: Editors are responsible for responding to allegations of misconduct, ensuring that investigations are conducted fairly and transparently.
• Reviewers: Reviewers should report any suspected misconduct to the editors and maintain confidentiality throughout the process.

7. Commitment to Ethical Standards

IJITE is committed to fostering a culture of ethical research and publication practices. We follow COPE’s guidelines for handling misconduct to ensure that our research remains credible and that our journal maintains the highest level of integrity.