Publication Malpractice Statement

Journal of Law and Society Review (JLSR) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and publication ethics. This statement defines unacceptable practices (“malpractice”), establishes investigation procedures, and outlines sanctions. The policy aligns with international best practices, including guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Definition of Publication Malpractice

Publication malpractice includes any behavior that compromises the integrity, reliability, or transparency of scholarly publication. This applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher.

2. Types of Malpractice

2.1 Authorship Misconduct

Includes:

  • Gift/guest authorship (listing non-contributors)
  • Ghost authorship (excluding real contributors)
  • Disputes over authorship without clear contribution

Policy:
Authorship must follow internationally recognized contribution standards. All authors must approve submission and final publication.

2.2 Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism

Includes:

  • Copying text, ideas, or data without proper citation
  • Reusing one’s own previously published work without disclosure

Policy:

  • Similarity checks are mandatory
  • Threshold: ≤ 20% (excluding references)
  • Violations result in rejection or retraction

2.3 Data Fabrication and Falsification

Includes:

  • Inventing data
  • Manipulating research results
  • Selective reporting of findings

Policy:

  • Immediate rejection or retraction
  • Institutional notification may be initiated

2.4 Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Includes:

  • Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals
  • Republishing the same findings without significant contribution

Policy:
Strictly prohibited. Violations lead to blacklisting and rejection.

2.5 Citation Manipulation

Includes:

  • Excessive self-citation
  • Coercive citation practices
  • Irrelevant citations to inflate metrics

Policy:
Editors may remove inappropriate references or reject the manuscript.

2.6 Peer Review Manipulation

Includes:

  • Fake reviewer identities
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Interference with the review process

Policy:

  • Immediate rejection
  • Ban from future submissions

2.7 Conflict of Interest Violations

Includes:

  • Undisclosed financial, institutional, or personal interests

Policy:
All conflicts must be transparently declared.

2.8 Ethical Violations in Research

Includes:

  • Lack of ethical approval (if required)
  • Violation of human/subject rights

Policy:
Manuscripts without proper ethical compliance will be rejected.

3. Investigation Procedures

JLSR follows a structured and fair process:

Step 1: Initial Assessment

  • Conducted by the editorial team
  • Preliminary evidence is reviewed

Step 2: Author Notification

  • Authors are formally notified
  • Opportunity to respond within a specified timeframe

Step 3: Review of Evidence

  • Evaluation of responses and supporting data
  • Consultation with experts if needed

Step 4: Final Decision

  • Based on evidence and COPE guidelines

4. Sanctions and Actions

Depending on severity, JLSR may impose:

Minor Violations

  • Request for correction or revision

Moderate Violations

  • Manuscript rejection
  • Warning issued to authors

Severe Violations

  • Retraction of published article
  • Submission ban (1–5 years)
  • Notification to affiliated institutions
  • Public disclosure of misconduct (if necessary)

5. Retraction, Correction, and Expression of Concern

Retraction

Issued when:

  • Findings are unreliable
  • Misconduct is proven

Correction

Issued for honest errors

Expression of Concern

Issued when:

  • Investigation is ongoing but concerns are significant

6. Appeals and Complaints

Authors have the right to:

  • Submit a formal appeal
  • Provide additional evidence

JLSR ensures:

  • Fair and transparent handling
  • Decisions aligned with COPE standards

7. Responsibilities of Stakeholders

Authors

  • Ensure originality, accuracy, and ethical compliance

Reviewers

  • Maintain confidentiality and objectivity

Editors

  • Make unbiased decisions
  • Enforce ethical standards

Publisher

  • Support editorial independence
  • Ensure long-term archiving and integrity

8. Legal and Ethical Compliance

JLSR reserves the right to:

  • Take legal action in cases of serious misconduct
  • Report violations to institutions or regulatory bodies
  • Protect the integrity of the scholarly record

Closing Statement

JLSR maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward publication malpractice and is committed to safeguarding the credibility, transparency, and global impact of socio-legal scholarship.