Research Integrity & Misconduct Policy

1. Commitment to Research Integrity

 

The Herald of Advanced Information Technology is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and ethical publishing practices in accordance with COPE Core Practices and international guidelines.

All participants in the publication process - authors, editors, and reviewers - are expected to act with honesty, transparency, and accountability.

2. Definition of Research Misconduct

 

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Fabrication of data or results;
  • Falsification or manipulation of research materials, images, or processes;
  • Plagiarism in any form;
  • Citation manipulation or citation stacking;
  • Duplicate or redundant publication;
  • Unethical authorship practices (ghost, guest, or gift authorship);
  • Undisclosed or improper use of artificial intelligence in research output.

3. Investigation Procedure

 

When allegations or suspicions of misconduct arise, the journal will follow a structured process:

  1. Initial assessment by the editorial office;
  2. Request for explanation from the authors;
  3. Consultation with independent reviewers or experts if necessary;
  4. Final decision based on available evidence and COPE guidelines.

4. Possible Editorial Actions

 

Depending on the severity of the case, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Request revision or clarification;
  • Reject the manuscript;
  • Issue an Expression of Concern;
  • Retract a published article;
  • Notify authors’ institutions, funders, or regulatory bodies.

5. Use of Artificial Intelligence

 

Undisclosed or inappropriate use of artificial intelligence tools (including generative AI systems) that affects data integrity, research validity, or originality is considered a form of research misconduct.

Authors must comply with the journal’s AI Policy and disclose any relevant use of AI tools.

6. Zero Tolerance Policy

 

The journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward intentional research fraud, data manipulation, and unethical publishing practices.