Allegations of Misconduct and Whistleblower Policy

Last Updated: August 2026

DScholar Press International is committed to maintaining research integrity and investigating all allegations of misconduct related to submitted or published works. This policy outlines procedures for reporting, investigating, and resolving claims of unethical publishing behavior, scientific misconduct, or procedural breaches.

1. Scope of Misconduct

This policy applies to allegations involving authors, peer reviewers, volume editors, or internal press staff. Reportable forms of misconduct include:

  • Data Integrity & Fabrication: Falsification, manipulation, selective reporting, or creation of synthetic data and images.
  • Plagiarism & Intellectual Theft: Unattributed copying, self-plagiarism, or misappropriation of research ideas, methods, or text.
  • Authorship Violations: Exclusion of legitimate contributors, inclusion of gift/ghost authors, or unauthorized submission.
  • Ethical & Procedural Violations: Failure to declare conflicts of interest, breach of peer review confidentiality, or absence of required ethics committee approvals.

2. Reporting Allegations & Whistleblower Protection

Whistleblowers and external parties may report concerns directly to the press. All reports are handled with confidentiality to protect both the complainant and the subject of the investigation.

Whistleblower Rights & Protocols:

  • Reporting Channel: Submit claims with supporting documentation to publisher@dscholarpress.com.
  • Confidentiality: Identity details of whistleblowers are kept confidential unless disclosure is mandated by legal proceedings.
  • Anonymous Complaints: Anonymous allegations are evaluated provided they include verifiable evidence or documentation. Speculative or unsubstantiated claims are not pursued.

3. Investigation Procedure

Upon receiving a report, the press follows a structured investigation workflow:

  • Initial Assessment: The editorial office assesses the evidence to determine if a formal inquiry is warranted.
  • Response Solicitation: The accused party is notified and provided an opportunity to respond with supporting evidence within a specified timeframe.
  • Independent Panel Review: Complex claims are referred to an independent committee for objective evaluation.
  • Institutional Communication: If serious misconduct is substantiated, the press contacts the author's home institution, funding agencies, or governing bodies.

4. Outcomes and Sanctions

If misconduct is confirmed, DScholar Press International takes appropriate measures based on severity, including manuscript rejection, formal retraction, publication of an Expression of Concern, or a temporary/permanent ban on future submissions from involved authors.