Data Fabrication and Falsification Policy

DScholar Press International is committed to maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the scholarly record. The Press does not tolerate data fabrication, data falsification, or any form of research manipulation. This policy applies to all publications, including peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed books, scholarly monographs, edited volumes, conference proceedings, working papers, and research reports.

Data fabrication is the creation or invention of data, observations, results, interviews, experiments, or other research findings that did not occur. Data falsification is the manipulation, alteration, omission, selective reporting, or misrepresentation of research data, images, figures, tables, statistical analyses, methodologies, or results in a manner that misleads readers or distorts the scientific or scholarly record.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all data presented in submitted manuscripts are authentic, complete, accurate, and derived from the research described. Research methods, analyses, and findings must be reported honestly and transparently without manipulation intended to influence editorial decisions or misrepresent research outcomes.

Authors must retain original research data, laboratory records, field notes, questionnaires, interview records, images, and other supporting documentation for a reasonable period after publication and must provide such materials to the editorial office if requested during editorial assessment or investigation of publication ethics concerns. Where legal, ethical, privacy, or confidentiality restrictions apply, authors must explain these limitations to the editorial office.

Images, figures, graphs, and other visual materials must accurately represent the original data. Adjustments to images are permitted only when applied uniformly and when they do not alter, conceal, enhance, or misrepresent the underlying information. Any processing or modification that affects the interpretation of the data must be disclosed.

Where data fabrication or falsification is suspected, the editorial office may suspend the editorial process and request explanations, original data, or supporting documentation from the authors. Independent experts or the authors' institutions may be consulted where necessary. If fabrication or falsification is confirmed before publication, the manuscript will be rejected. If it is identified after publication, the Press may publish a correction, expression of concern, retraction, or other appropriate editorial action.

Authors who intentionally fabricate or falsify research data may be prohibited from submitting future manuscripts to DScholar Press International. The Press may also notify the authors' institutions, funding organizations, regulatory authorities, or other relevant bodies where appropriate.

Honest errors, unintentional inaccuracies, or methodological limitations identified after publication are distinguished from deliberate fabrication or falsification. Such cases are addressed through appropriate post-publication corrections when necessary and do not constitute research misconduct unless there is evidence of intentional deception.

DScholar Press International maintains this policy to protect the credibility of scholarly communication, promote responsible research practices, and ensure that all published works accurately represent the evidence on which they are based.

Effective date: 25 June 2026
Last updated date: 25 June 2026