Jurnal Pedagogi: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan is committed to maintaining the integrity, reliability, and ethical standards of scholarly publishing in educational sciences and pedagogy. The journal takes allegations of research misconduct seriously and assesses all concerns fairly, objectively, and confidentially, following applicable publication ethics principles and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Definition of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to, fabrication or falsification of educational research data (including classroom observation data, test scores, diagnostic assessments, or survey responses), plagiarism, inappropriate manipulation of learning media images or instructional research results, unethical educational research practices (such as failure to obtain informed consent from students, teachers, or parents/guardians), undisclosed conflicts of interest, authorship misconduct, and other actions that compromise the integrity or reliability of pedagogical scholarship.

Jurnal Pedagogi: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan assesses suspected misconduct according to the nature of the allegation and the available evidence. The journal refers to the COPE Guidelines on Cooperation between Research Institutions and Journals on Research Integrity and Publication Misconduct Cases when considering communication and cooperation with relevant educational institutions, university ethics boards, and research centers.

2. Reporting Allegations

Authors, reviewers, readers, educators, researchers, academic institutions, and other concerned parties may report suspected research misconduct involving manuscripts submitted to or articles published in Jurnal Pedagogi: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan. Reports should provide a clear description of the concern and, where possible, supporting documentation or other relevant evidence.

Allegations should be submitted to the journal’s editorial team through the official contact details provided on the Jurnal Pedagogi website. The journal encourages good-faith reporting and does not consider an allegation alone sufficient proof that misconduct has occurred.

3. Initial Assessment and Investigation

Upon receiving an allegation, the editor-in-chief or an authorized editor will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal’s pedagogical and editorial responsibilities and whether sufficient information is available to proceed. Additional information or evidence may be requested from the person reporting the concern.

The journal will evaluate the available evidence objectively and may seek advice from qualified experts in educational methodology or independent peer reviewers where appropriate. In cases involving suspected fabricated data, Jurnal Pedagogi will follow the relevant steps in the COPE Flowchart: Fabricated Data in a Submitted Manuscript, including requesting an explanation from the author and considering referral to the author's institution or research integrity committee when necessary.

The author concerned will normally be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and provide relevant explanations or supporting materials. The journal will avoid making premature conclusions and will consider the response alongside the evidence available.

4. Cooperation with Research Institutions

Where an allegation requires formal investigation beyond the journal’s remit, or where the evidence raises serious concerns about research integrity, Jurnal Pedagogi may contact the author's academic institution, faculty, employer, university ethics board, research integrity office, funder, or another appropriate educational authority. The journal may share relevant evidence and request information about the outcome of an institutional investigation, subject to applicable confidentiality and legal requirements.

This approach follows the COPE guidance on cooperation between research institutions and journals, which addresses the responsibilities of journals and institutions in communicating concerns, sharing relevant evidence, and responding to findings that may affect the integrity of published educational research.

If the institution does not respond or the matter remains unresolved, Jurnal Pedagogi may send follow-up requests or consider contacting another appropriate authority, depending on the seriousness of the concern and the information available. The journal will not claim to have established misconduct solely because an institution or author has not responded.

5. Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

Jurnal Pedagogi will handle allegations and supporting evidence confidentially to the extent possible and will disclose information only to individuals or organizations who need it to assess or investigate the concern, subject to applicable legal and ethical obligations.

The journal will seek to protect the rights and reputations of all parties involved, including the person raising the concern and the person or persons subject to the allegation. Communications will be factual, impartial, and proportionate to the circumstances.

This approach is consistent with the COPE guidance on research integrity and publication misconduct, which emphasizes appropriate cooperation and careful communication between journals and academic institutions during misconduct investigations.

6. Actions and Outcomes

Depending on the findings and the stage of publication, Jurnal Pedagogi may take one or more of the following actions: request clarification or additional raw data; suspend the peer-review or editorial process while a serious concern is assessed; reject a manuscript; request corrections to an article; publish an expression of concern; retract a published article; or notify the relevant academic institution or authority.

Any action will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the concern and based on the evidence available. For suspected ethical problems in submitted manuscripts, Jurnal Pedagogi may refer to the COPE Flowchart: Suspected Ethical Problem in a Submitted Manuscript, which outlines steps such as requesting relevant information, suspending review when appropriate, and referring unresolved concerns to the relevant educational institution.

Where an allegation concerning a published article raises substantial concerns about the reliability or integrity of the pedagogical scholarly record, Jurnal Pedagogi will assess whether a correction, expression of concern, or retraction is necessary in accordance with the journal’s applicable policies and relevant COPE Retraction Guidelines.

7. Allegations Against Editors or Reviewers

Allegations of research or publication misconduct involving Jurnal Pedagogi editors, reviewers, or other individuals participating in the editorial process will be assessed impartially. Where a person involved in the allegation has a conflict of interest, that person will not lead the assessment or determine the outcome.

When necessary, Jurnal Pedagogi may refer the matter to an independent editor, the relevant institution, the publisher, or another appropriate authority to support a fair and independent assessment.

8. Good-Faith Reporting and False Allegations

Jurnal Pedagogi encourages concerns to be reported in good faith and supported by accurate information wherever possible. A report that cannot be substantiated will not automatically be treated as a false allegation.

Knowingly submitting fabricated evidence or deliberately making a malicious allegation may itself be referred for appropriate consideration to the relevant academic body. The journal will distinguish between a good-faith concern that is not confirmed and an allegation shown to have been made dishonestly.

9. Records and Follow-Up

Jurnal Pedagogi will maintain appropriate records of reported concerns, communications, evidence considered, decisions, and actions taken, subject to applicable confidentiality and data protection requirements. The journal may follow up with relevant parties or institutions when further information is needed to resolve the matter or determine whether action concerning a published educational article is required.

The journal’s objective is to address allegations responsibly, support appropriate investigations, and protect the integrity of the educational and pedagogical scholarly record. Jurnal Pedagogi may revise this policy when necessary to reflect developments in publication ethics and applicable guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).