Allegations of Research Misconduct Policy

Allegations of Research Misconduct Policy

Guidelines for reporting, assessing, and addressing suspected research and publication misconduct in the Journal of Health and Nutrition Research (JHNR).

1. General Principles

JHNR assesses allegations of misconduct responsibly and without presuming that a reported concern establishes wrongdoing. All allegations will be evaluated according to the nature of the concern, the available evidence, and applicable journal policies.

2. Types of Research and Publication Misconduct

Potential misconduct may include, but is not limited to, the following practices.

3. Reporting Allegations of Misconduct

Concerns regarding suspected research or publication misconduct may be reported to the JHNR editorial office by authors, reviewers, readers, institutions, or other relevant parties.

Reports should, where possible, include:

• The title, DOI, or other identifying information for the manuscript or article.
• A clear description of the concern.
• Relevant evidence, documents, or supporting information.
• Identification of the sections, figures, tables, or data involved, where applicable.
• Contact information for further correspondence, where provided.

Anonymous or incomplete reports may be considered when sufficient verifiable information is available. The editorial team may request additional clarification when necessary.

4. Initial Editorial Assessment

Upon receiving a concern, the editorial team will consider whether the matter falls within the journal's responsibility, whether sufficient information is available, and what further steps may be appropriate.

The initial assessment may involve:

• Reviewing the manuscript or published article.
• Examining the information and evidence provided.
• Checking relevant editorial and submission records.
• Requesting additional explanations or documentation.
• Consulting applicable COPE guidance.
• Determining whether another institution or organization is better placed to investigate the matter.

Where appropriate, the editorial process may be paused while a substantial concern is assessed. Decisions about further action will depend on the available information.

5. Confidentiality, Fairness, and Right to Respond

JHNR will handle allegations confidentially and limit disclosure of related information to individuals or organizations with a legitimate role in the assessment or resolution of the concern.

The person or persons concerned will normally be given an opportunity to respond and provide relevant evidence or explanation before a consequential editorial decision.

Editors and reviewers with relevant conflicts of interest should not manage the affected matter. Where necessary, responsibility may be assigned to another qualified editor.

JHNR seeks to handle allegations fairly and to avoid unnecessary disclosure of personal or confidential information.

6. Cooperation with Institutions and Relevant Bodies

JHNR recognizes that editors may not have the authority, resources, or access needed to conduct a formal investigation into all aspects of suspected research misconduct.

When appropriate, the journal may contact relevant research institutions, employers, funders, ethics committees, publishers, or other competent bodies to request clarification or assistance.

Institutional findings may inform editorial decisions, while JHNR retains responsibility for determining appropriate action concerning its own submissions and published content.

7. Possible Editorial Outcomes

Depending on the nature of the concern, the evidence available, and the publication stage, possible outcomes include:

Editorial responses will be proportionate to the concern and intended to preserve the integrity of the scientific record.

8. Post-Publication Corrections and Retractions

Where a concern affects a published article, JHNR will follow its Editorial Policy and applicable publication ethics guidance.

Substantive post-publication changes will be explained through a dated notice linked to the affected article. Retracted articles will remain identifiable as retracted rather than being removed, except in exceptional circumstances involving legal, privacy, or public-safety requirements.

The journal will consider relevant COPE guidance when determining the appropriate form of notice.

9. Misconduct Related to AI-Assisted Technologies

Concerns involving the use of generative artificial intelligence or AI-assisted technologies will be assessed under JHNR's applicable AI policy and research integrity requirements.

Potential concerns may include fabricated references, inaccurate or fabricated content, misrepresentation of research data, or failure to disclose AI use where disclosure is required.

Human authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, and integrity of their submitted or published work.

10. Editorial Responsibility and Policy Review

The JHNR editorial team is responsible for assessing concerns that fall within the journal's editorial authority. Where independent expertise or institutional investigation is needed, the journal may seek assistance from an appropriate body.

This policy may be updated to reflect changes in JHNR editorial procedures or relevant international publication ethics guidance. The version published on the JHNR website is the applicable version.