Research Misconduct

The Economics and Business Journal (ECBIS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, academic honesty, and publication ethics. The journal expects authors, reviewers, editors, and other contributors to uphold principles of honesty, transparency, accountability, and fairness throughout the research and publication process.

Research misconduct and unethical publication practices undermine the credibility of scholarly communication. ECBIS therefore takes allegations of research misconduct seriously and addresses them through a fair, confidential, and evidence-based process.

1. Forms of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following practices:

1.1. Fabrication of Data

Fabrication occurs when researchers invent data, observations, results, participants, or research activities and report them as genuine. Authors must ensure that all data and findings presented in their manuscripts are authentic and accurately reported.

1.2. Falsification of Data

Falsification involves manipulating research materials, equipment, procedures, data, or results in ways that misrepresent the research record. This includes selectively altering or omitting findings to produce misleading conclusions without appropriate methodological justification.

1.3. Plagiarism

Plagiarism occurs when ideas, words, data, images, research findings, or other intellectual contributions from another source are used without proper acknowledgment. Authors must cite sources appropriately, use quotation marks where necessary, and distinguish their original contributions from previously published work.

1.4. Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit or publish substantially identical work in multiple journals without appropriate disclosure and editorial authorization. Redundant publication includes presenting previously published findings as new contributions without transparent acknowledgment.

1.5. Authorship Misconduct

Authorship misconduct includes gift authorship, ghost authorship, unauthorized changes to author lists, and the deliberate misrepresentation of individual contributions. All listed authors must meet the journal's authorship criteria and approve the submitted manuscript.

1.6. Citation Manipulation

Citation manipulation includes coercive citation, the deliberate inclusion of irrelevant references to inflate citation counts, and coordinated citation practices intended to manipulate journal, author, or article metrics.

References must be selected based on their scholarly relevance and contribution to the manuscript.

1.7. Data and Image Manipulation

Authors must not fabricate, selectively manipulate, or misleadingly present data visualizations, photographs, figures, tables, or other research materials. Any legitimate processing or transformation must be methodologically appropriate, transparently reported, and consistent with the applicable research standards.

1.8. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose financial, professional, personal, or institutional relationships that could improperly influence research, peer review, or editorial decisions.

1.9. Misuse of Artificial Intelligence

Authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of their manuscripts, including content produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The fabrication of data, invented references, misleading research claims, and undisclosed AI-assisted practices that violate journal policy are unacceptable.

AI tools must not be listed as authors. Their use must be disclosed in accordance with the journal's applicable AI policy.

1.10. Unethical Research Practices

Research involving human participants, personal data, confidential business information, or other ethically sensitive materials must comply with applicable laws, institutional requirements, and recognized ethical standards. Authors must obtain necessary approvals, permissions, and informed consent where applicable.

2. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to ECBIS are responsible for ensuring that their work complies with accepted standards of research integrity. Authors must:

  1. Report research methods, data, and findings honestly and accurately.

  2. Ensure that the submitted manuscript represents original work and appropriately acknowledges all sources.

  3. Obtain permission to reproduce copyrighted or otherwise restricted material when required.

  4. Disclose relevant funding sources and conflicts of interest.

  5. Provide accurate authorship information and contributor statements.

  6. Retain appropriate research records and supporting data, subject to legal, ethical, confidentiality, and data-protection requirements.

  7. Cooperate with reasonable editorial inquiries concerning the integrity of their work.

  8. Promptly notify the journal if a significant error or integrity concern is identified in a submitted or published article.

3. Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers

Editors and reviewers must maintain impartiality, confidentiality, and professional integrity. They must not misuse unpublished information, disclose confidential manuscripts without authorization, manipulate citations, or allow personal, financial, or institutional interests to compromise their judgment.

Editors are responsible for assessing allegations of misconduct fairly and for taking appropriate action when credible concerns arise. Reviewers should report suspected ethical violations to the editor with relevant supporting information rather than making unsupported accusations.

4. Reporting Suspected Research Misconduct

Any individual who identifies a potential case of research misconduct involving a manuscript submitted to or published in ECBIS may report the concern to the journal's editorial office.

Reports should include, where available:

  • The title of the manuscript or published article.

  • The names of the authors involved.

  • A clear description of the suspected misconduct.

  • Relevant evidence, documentation, or references supporting the allegation.

  • Contact information for follow-up, if the reporting individual is willing to provide it.

ECBIS encourages reports made in good faith and expects all parties to avoid knowingly submitting false or malicious allegations.

5. Investigation Procedures

ECBIS will assess allegations of research misconduct using a fair, proportionate, and evidence-based process. Depending on the nature of the allegation, the process may include the following stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Assessment

The editorial team evaluates whether the allegation falls within the journal's remit and whether sufficient information is available to justify further inquiry.

Stage 2: Evidence Review

The journal examines relevant manuscript files, publication records, data, correspondence, similarity reports, or other appropriate documentation.

Stage 3: Request for Explanation

Where appropriate, the corresponding author and other relevant parties may be invited to provide an explanation or supporting evidence. The journal may also contact the authors' institutions, research organizations, or other relevant bodies when necessary.

Stage 4: Evaluation and Decision

The editorial team considers the available evidence, the responses received, and the seriousness of the concern before determining an appropriate course of action.

Stage 5: Follow-up Action

Depending on the findings, the journal may close the case, request corrections, reject a manuscript, issue an expression of concern, retract a published article, or refer the matter to an appropriate institution or authority.

These stages may be adapted to the circumstances of a case. The journal will not treat an allegation as proof of misconduct, and editorial action will be proportionate to the evidence and applicable policies.

6. Possible Editorial Actions

When research misconduct is established or significant concerns remain unresolved, ECBIS may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Reject the manuscript before publication.

  • Request clarification, supporting evidence, or corrective revisions.

  • Correct errors in a published article when correction is sufficient to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

  • Publish an expression of concern while an investigation remains unresolved.

  • Retract an article when the reliability or integrity of the published work is seriously compromised.

  • Notify relevant institutions, publishers, or research-integrity authorities when appropriate.

  • Restrict future submissions from individuals in cases of serious or repeated misconduct, where justified by the evidence and consistent with applicable policies.

Any action will be determined according to the circumstances of the case and the need to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

7. Corrections and Retractions

ECBIS is committed to maintaining an accurate and reliable scholarly record. If a published article contains a significant error, the journal will consider publishing a correction or other appropriate notice.

Retraction may be considered when findings are unreliable because of misconduct or serious error, when there has been plagiarism or redundant publication, or when other circumstances substantially compromise the integrity of the article.

Retraction notices should clearly identify the affected article and explain the reason for retraction to the extent possible. Retracted articles will remain identifiable in the scholarly record, with their retracted status clearly indicated, rather than being silently removed, except where removal is required by law or exceptional circumstances.

8. Confidentiality and Protection Against Retaliation

ECBIS will handle allegations and supporting documentation confidentially to the extent reasonably possible and consistent with a fair investigation, applicable law, and publication ethics obligations.

The journal will make reasonable efforts to protect individuals who report concerns in good faith from inappropriate retaliation. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in every circumstance, particularly when disclosure is necessary for verification, institutional review, or legal compliance.

9. Appeals and Disputes

Individuals who believe that an editorial decision concerning research misconduct was reached in error may submit a reasoned appeal to the editorial office. Appeals should identify the decision being challenged and provide relevant evidence or arguments not adequately considered during the initial assessment.

The journal may seek an independent assessment where appropriate. Appeals will be reviewed impartially, and the final decision will depend on the available evidence and applicable editorial policies.

10. Commitment to Research Integrity

ECBIS supports responsible research practices and the continuous improvement of publication ethics. The journal seeks to address misconduct consistently, protect individuals' procedural fairness, and preserve the reliability of the scholarly record.

This policy should be read alongside the journal's policies on publication ethics, authorship, plagiarism, conflicts of interest, peer review, corrections and retractions, and the use of artificial intelligence.

ECBIS may refer to recognized publication-ethics guidance, including guidance issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), when assessing cases and determining appropriate editorial responses.