Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Ideal is committed to upholding high standards of publication ethics and preventing any form of publication malpractice. This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publishing process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher. The guidelines are aligned with COPE’s Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors to maintain the journal’s integrity and ensure the dissemination of impactful and ethical research.

Allegations of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, citation manipulation, or plagiarism. If such practices are identified during manuscript submission or after publication, the editorial team will investigate following COPE protocols. Manuscripts containing unethical research practices will be rejected, and published articles may be retracted.

In cases of alleged misconduct, the editorial board will assess the claims impartially. Authors implicated in misconduct will be contacted and asked for clarification. If necessary, external experts may be consulted for further evaluation.

Complaints and Appeals

Ideal has a transparent procedure for handling complaints against any aspect of the journal, including editorial decisions, peer review processes, and ethical concerns. Complaints will be addressed based on COPE guidelines to ensure fair resolutions.

Ethical Oversight

Authors must disclose any potential ethical concerns in their research, such as the use of hazardous materials or research involving human or animal subjects. Proper ethical clearance documentation must be provided if required.

Editorial Responsibilities

  • Publication Decisions: Editors ensure that submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous peer-review process by at least two expert reviewers. Publication decisions are based on the manuscript’s academic merit, relevance, and adherence to ethical standards.
  • Fair Play: Manuscripts are evaluated based solely on academic quality, without discrimination based on race, gender, or other personal characteristics.
  • Confidentiality: Editors maintain confidentiality of all manuscript-related information.
  • Conflict of Interest: Editors recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Author Responsibilities

  • Reporting Standards: Authors must present accurate, detailed research accounts and acknowledge all data sources.
  • Originality and Plagiarism: Manuscripts must be original and properly cite all sources. Instances of plagiarism are unacceptable.
  • Multiple Publications: Authors should not submit the same research to multiple publications simultaneously.
  • Acknowledgment: Proper credit must be given to contributors and funding sources.
  • Error Correction: Authors are required to promptly notify the journal if significant errors in their published work are identified.

Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Reviewers assist in improving manuscript quality and support editorial decision-making.
  • Objectivity and Confidentiality: Reviews should be impartial and maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and excuse themselves from the review process if necessary.

By adhering to these ethical guidelines, Ideal ensures the publication of high-quality, impactful research that benefits both the academic community and society.

 

Retraction, Withdrawal, & Correction (R-W-C) Policy

Policy Statement

We acknowledge the significant efforts of authors in preparing manuscripts and the meticulous peer-review process undertaken by editors. However, under extraordinary circumstances, published articles may need to be corrected, withdrawn, or retracted for scientific or ethical reasons. Such actions will only be taken following stringent guidelines to preserve the integrity and credibility of the journal’s scholarly records.

Article Retraction

Articles may be retracted if:

  • Significant scientific errors invalidate the research conclusions.
  • The findings have been previously published without proper acknowledgment or justification (redundant publication).
  • Ethical concerns arise, such as plagiarism or unethical authorship practices.

Retractions are conducted based on COPE guidelines to maintain best practices. The process involves:

  1. Reporting the issue to the journal editor.
  2. Conducting an evaluation in accordance with COPE flowcharts and assessing author responses.
  3. Reviewing findings with the Ethics Advisory Board for consistency and adherence to best practices.
  4. Communicating the decision to retract with the author and relevant parties if necessary.
  5. Publishing a retraction notice linked to the original article.

Even if authors hold copyright to their work, they may not retract a published article without due process.

Article Withdrawal

Authors are discouraged from withdrawing submitted manuscripts, as this undermines the resources invested by reviewers, editors, and the journal. Withdrawal requests are subject to penalties:

  • During Peer Review: A penalty fee of 50.000 (IDR) per manuscript applies.
  • Post-Acceptance: A penalty fee of 150.000 (IDR) per manuscript applies.
  • Articles Published as “In Press”: Articles containing errors or ethical violations may be withdrawn with a penalty of 250.000 (IDR) per manuscript.

If penalties are not paid, authors and their affiliations may face publication restrictions for up to three years. Withdrawal requests must be formally submitted via an official letter signed by the corresponding author and institutional leader.

Article Correction

Corrections may be issued in cases where:

  • Minor errors in otherwise reliable publications are identified.
  • Incorrect authorship information is detected.

Types of corrections include:

  • Publisher Correction (Erratum): Corrections for errors by the journal or publisher.
  • Author Correction (Corrigendum): Corrections for author errors impacting the article’s integrity.
  • Addendum: Additional information clarifying or expanding the published content.

Editors, with advice from reviewers or the editorial board, will decide on the necessity and type of correction.

Article Removal

Articles may be removed in rare cases where:

  • They are defamatory or infringe on legal rights.
  • They pose a public health risk.
  • They are subject to court orders.

Metadata will remain accessible, while the content will be replaced with a legal disclaimer.

Article Replacement

In cases involving health risks, authors may replace flawed articles with corrected versions. The replacement notice will link to the corrected version and provide a revision history.

By adhering to this policy, Ideal ensures that its publication practices maintain high ethical and scientific standards.