Procedure for Handling Complaints on Academic Integrity and Publication Ethics
The journal «IT Synergy» adheres to high standards of academic integrity and publication ethics. To ensure the fair and transparent handling of potential violations, the following procedure is established. This procedure is based on the principles of academic integrity and the ethical standards set out in the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Who сan submit a сomplaint
A complaint may be submitted by any interested party, including:
- an author or group of authors;
- a reviewer;
- a member of the Editorial Board;
- a reader or any other individual who identifies a potential violation.
Grounds for a complaint
Complaints may be considered in relation to:
- plagiarism or self-plagiarism;
- data fabrication or falsification;
- authorship disputes (including inappropriate inclusion or exclusion of authors);
- undisclosed conflicts of interest;
- unethical or improper peer review practices;
- unauthorized use of another author’s materials;
- breaches of editorial procedures (including decisions to accept or reject manuscripts);
- inappropriate conduct by Editorial Board members or reviewers.
Submission of a complaint
Complaints must be submitted in writing to the journal’s official email address. The submission should include:
- the name of the complainant or a request for anonymity (where justified);
- a clear description of the complaint, including relevant circumstances and supporting evidence;
- contact details for further communication.
Preliminary Assessment
The Editorial Board assesses whether the complaint provides sufficient grounds for further consideration (Where necessary, additional information may be requested from the complainant).
Investigation
The investigation is conducted by the Editorial Board. Where appropriate, an independent reviewer or external expert may be involved. Evidence is collected and assessed, and, if necessary, consultations are held with the authors and reviewers.
Decision-Making
Following the investigation, the Editorial Board reaches a decision, which may include:
- dismissal of the complaint as unfounded;
- correction or clarification of the publication;
- publication of a correction notice or retraction of the article;
- temporary or permanent restriction on future submissions by the individual concerned;
- notification of the author’s affiliated institution regarding the breach of academic integrity.
The decision is documented in writing and communicated to the complainant and other relevant parties.
Confidentiality and Transparency
All actions are conducted with due regard to confidentiality, except where disclosure is necessary to ensure a fair and thorough investigation. The purpose of this procedure is to uphold academic integrity and maintain trust in the journal’s publications.
Appeals
If the complainant disagrees with the decision, an appeal may be submitted to the Editorial Board for consideration. Where a matter falls outside the journal’s remit, the Editorial Office may refer the case to an appropriate institution or ethics body for further review.
