Allegation of Research Misconduct

Policy on Allegations of Research Misconduct

Jurnal Pendidikan Anak (JPA) | PGPAUD Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

Jurnal Pendidikan Anak (JPA) is firmly committed to maintaining academic integrity and the highest ethical standards across all stages of publication. JPA takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously and resolves every formal complaint in accordance with the flowcharts and guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Scope of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, intentional actions or severe negligence that compromise the truthfulness and ethical standards of scientific inquiry in early childhood education:

Data Fabrication & Falsification

Making up fabricated observation results, child assessment scores, or manipulating fieldwork documentation, interview quotes, and early childhood classroom records.

Violation of Child Subject Ethics

Conducting studies on young children without parental informed consent, institutional clearance, or publishing identifiable child media without written authorization.

Severe Plagiarism & Redundancy

Substantial theft of ideas, text, or research instruments; duplicate submission; or redundant publication without cross-citation and disclosure.

Authorship & Review Manipulation

Ghost/guest authorship, selling authorship positions, citation manipulation cartels, or attempting to compromise the double-blind review process.

2. Investigation and Resolution Process

When an allegation is brought to the attention of the Editor-in-Chief, the editorial team adheres to a structured, objective, and confidential procedure:

Step 1: Preliminary Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief reviews the claim and documentary evidence to determine whether the complaint has sufficient substance to warrant an inquiry. Frivolous or unsupported claims will be dismissed.

Step 2: Formal Editorial Inquiry & Right to Respond

The corresponding author is formally notified in writing and given a reasonable timeframe (typically 14–21 calendar days) to provide original data sheets, observation logs, or clarifying explanations.

Step 3: Independent Ad-Hoc Ethics Review

If explanations are insufficient or disputed, an independent panel of subject experts or the institutional research ethics committee will review raw artifacts and data credibility.

Step 4: Editorial Decision & Corrective Action

Upon conclusion, the Editor-in-Chief determines whether the allegation is substantiated and executes appropriate remedial or punitive actions.

3. Outcomes and Sanctions

  • Unpublished Manuscripts: Immediate desk rejection, termination of peer review, and a notice sent to the authors.
  • Minor Inadvertent Errors: Publication of a formal Corrigendum (Author Correction) or Erratum (Publisher Correction) permanently linked to the online paper.
  • Substantiated Severe Misconduct: Formal Retraction of the published article in accordance with COPE Retraction Guidelines. A public retraction note will be watermarked on the article PDF and published in the latest issue.
  • Institutional Reporting & Moratorium: The journal reserves the right to report confirmed misconduct to the author's institution, funder, or governing body, alongside a submission moratorium (ban) to JPA for up to 3 years.

Reporting Misconduct (Whistleblowing Protocol)

Anyone suspecting research misconduct in a manuscript submitted to or published by Jurnal Pendidikan Anak is encouraged to report it in good faith. Reports should be sent confidentially along with supporting evidence to the editorial office:

Email: jpa@uny.ac.id
Subject: [Ethical Misconduct Inquiry] – Manuscript Title / DOI