Retraction Policy

1. Introduction

The Journal of Global Research in Multidisciplinary Studies (JGRMS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, ethical publishing, and academic excellence. The journal expects authors, reviewers, editors, and all individuals involved in the publication process to conduct themselves honestly, responsibly, and transparently.

Research misconduct undermines the credibility of scholarly communication and the public's trust in research. JGRMS has zero tolerance for research misconduct and investigates all allegations fairly, confidentially, and objectively.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Authors
  • Corresponding authors
  • Co-authors
  • Reviewers
  • Editors
  • Editorial Board Members
  • Guest Editors
  • Publisher

It covers manuscripts under review, accepted articles, and published articles.

3. Definition of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes actions that intentionally or recklessly compromise the integrity of research or scholarly publishing.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Fabrication of research data.
  • Falsification of data, images, or results.
  • Plagiarism.
  • Duplicate publication.
  • Redundant publication.
  • Citation manipulation.
  • Image manipulation that misrepresents findings.
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
  • False authorship or purchased authorship.
  • Peer review manipulation.
  • Submission of fraudulent reviewer identities.
  • Misrepresentation of ethical approval.
  • Failure to obtain required informed consent.
  • Deliberate concealment of significant errors.
  • Misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that compromises research integrity.

Honest errors, differences in scientific interpretation, or unsuccessful experiments do not constitute research misconduct.

4. Fabrication

Fabrication is the invention of data, experiments, observations, results, participants, or other research information that never existed.

Examples include:

  • Inventing experimental results.
  • Creating fictitious survey responses.
  • Reporting nonexistent laboratory findings.
  • Fabricating statistical analyses.

Fabrication is considered a serious breach of publication ethics.

5. Falsification

Falsification involves manipulating research materials, equipment, procedures, images, or data in a way that misrepresents the research.

Examples include:

  • Altering datasets.
  • Manipulating images to change scientific meaning.
  • Selectively omitting unfavorable results without justification.
  • Modifying statistical analyses to achieve desired outcomes.

6. Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes:

  • Copying text without attribution.
  • Using another person's ideas without acknowledgement.
  • Reproducing figures or tables without permission where required.
  • Self-plagiarism involving substantial undisclosed reuse of previous publications.
  • Translating published work without appropriate citation.

All submitted manuscripts are subject to plagiarism screening.

7. Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit manuscripts that:

  • Have already been published.
  • Are simultaneously under review elsewhere.
  • Substantially overlap with previously published work without appropriate disclosure.

If a manuscript is based on a conference paper, thesis, preprint, or related publication, authors should disclose this at submission.

8. Authorship Misconduct

Unethical authorship practices include:

  • Gift (honorary) authorship.
  • Ghost authorship.
  • Guest authorship.
  • Purchased authorship.
  • Adding or removing authors without consent.

All listed authors must satisfy the journal's Authorship Policy.

9. Citation Manipulation

Authors should cite relevant literature based on scholarly merit.

The following are considered unethical:

  • Excessive self-citation.
  • Citation cartels.
  • Adding unnecessary references solely to increase citation counts.
  • Misrepresenting previous research through selective citation.

Editors and reviewers must not request irrelevant citations for personal benefit.

10. Ethical Approval

Research involving human participants or animals must have received approval from an appropriate ethics committee where required.

Authors must accurately report:

  • Ethics approval information.
  • Approval number (where applicable).
  • Informed consent procedures.

False or misleading ethical statements constitute research misconduct.

11. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Authors must use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and transparently.

Misconduct involving AI includes:

  • Fabricating data using AI.
  • Generating false references.
  • Creating misleading figures or images.
  • Concealing significant AI-generated content that should have been disclosed.
  • Using AI to manipulate peer review or editorial processes.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors.

12. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for:

  • Ensuring the originality of their work.
  • Presenting accurate data.
  • Maintaining complete research records.
  • Disclosing conflicts of interest.
  • Reporting funding sources.
  • Obtaining ethical approvals where required.
  • Cooperating with editorial investigations.

13. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers should:

  • Report suspected misconduct.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest.
  • Refrain from using confidential information for personal benefit.

14. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for:

  • Investigating allegations of misconduct.
  • Treating all parties fairly.
  • Maintaining confidentiality.
  • Making evidence-based editorial decisions.
  • Preserving the integrity of the scholarly record.

Editors may consult independent experts or request additional documentation when appropriate.

15. Investigation Procedure

When potential misconduct is identified, JGRMS will:

  1. Receive and document the allegation.
  2. Conduct an initial assessment.
  3. Request an explanation from the author(s), where appropriate.
  4. Review supporting evidence.
  5. Consult reviewers, editors, or independent experts if necessary.
  6. Reach an editorial decision.
  7. Notify the relevant parties of the outcome.

Investigations will be conducted confidentially and without unnecessary delay.

16. Editorial Actions

Depending on the findings, JGRMS may:

  • Request clarification.
  • Require manuscript revision.
  • Reject the manuscript.
  • Withdraw the manuscript from consideration.
  • Publish a correction.
  • Publish an Expression of Concern.
  • Retract the article.
  • Notify the author's institution or funding organization where appropriate.
  • Restrict future submissions for a defined period in cases of serious or repeated misconduct.

The chosen action will be proportionate to the severity and nature of the misconduct.

17. Appeals

Authors may appeal decisions related to research misconduct by submitting a written explanation to the Editor-in-Chief within 30 days of notification.

Appeals should include supporting evidence and any relevant documentation.

The Editor-in-Chief may seek additional independent advice before making a final decision.

18. Confidentiality

All allegations and investigations will be handled confidentially.

Information will be shared only with individuals directly involved in the investigation or where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

19. Protection Against False Allegations

JGRMS recognizes that allegations of misconduct should be made responsibly and in good faith.

Knowingly false, malicious, or frivolous allegations may themselves be treated as misconduct.

20. Policy Review

This Research Misconduct Policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect developments in publication ethics, research integrity, and international best practices.

Commitment to Research Integrity

The Journal of Global Research in Multidisciplinary Studies (JGRMS) is committed to fostering a culture of:

  • Honesty
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Fairness
  • Reproducibility
  • Ethical research
  • Responsible scholarly publishing

The journal encourages authors, reviewers, editors, and readers to report concerns regarding potential research misconduct to help maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Contact

Questions or concerns regarding research misconduct should be submitted to the Editorial Office using the contact information available on the journal website. All reports will be handled confidentially and fairly.