Syi’ar: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, Penyuluhan dan Bimbingan Masyarakat Islam

Syi’ar: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, Penyuluhan dan Bimbingan Masyarakat Islam is committed to maintaining research integrity, publication ethics, and an accurate scholarly record. The journal is owned by Universitas Sultan Muhammad Syafiuddin Sambas (UNISSAS) and managed by the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universitas Sultan Muhammad Syafiuddin Sambas, Indonesia.

Allegations concerning submitted manuscripts or published articles will be handled fairly, objectively, confidentially, and on the basis of evidence, with reference to the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). An allegation does not, in itself, establish misconduct. The parties concerned will be given an appropriate opportunity to provide explanations and supporting evidence before a decision is reached.

1. Scope

This policy covers allegations of research and publication misconduct, including fabricated data or sources, falsification of data and research findings, plagiarism, undisclosed duplicate publication, authorship manipulation, peer-review manipulation, and violations of ethical requirements concerning research participants. The journal also addresses allegations of undisclosed relevant conflicts of interest and other practices that may compromise research integrity or the reliability of published work.

Given the journal's scope in communication studies, Islamic outreach, Islamic guidance and counseling, and Islamic community development, allegations may arise from empirical research, qualitative studies, literature reviews, conceptual articles, and other scholarly contributions.

Differences in religious interpretation, schools of thought, theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, or scholarly conclusions do not, in themselves, constitute misconduct. The assessment focuses on the honest use of sources, accurate reporting, appropriate attribution, methodological transparency, and the integrity of the research process.

2. Reporting Allegations

Authors, reviewers, readers, research participants, institutions, and other parties may report suspected misconduct through the journal's official contact details provided on its website.

Reports should identify the relevant manuscript or published article, describe the concern specifically, identify relevant passages or materials, and provide available supporting evidence, such as comparative sources, research documents, correspondence, or verifiable links.

Complainants are encouraged to provide contact information to facilitate clarification and follow-up. Anonymous reports may also be considered when they contain sufficiently specific and verifiable information. The journal may request additional explanations or evidence before proceeding with an assessment.

3. Initial Assessment

The editor conducts an initial assessment to determine whether the allegation falls within the scope of this policy, whether sufficient information is available, and whether the concern may affect the integrity or reliability of the manuscript or published article.

The assessment may involve examining the manuscript, comparing cited and original sources, reviewing submission records, checking research documentation, or consulting individuals with relevant expertise.

Similarity-checking software, including Turnitin where available, may be used as an assessment tool. A similarity score alone does not establish plagiarism. The editor will consider the context, the nature of the material, citation practices, quotation, attribution, and other relevant circumstances.

If the allegation lacks sufficient evidence or falls outside the scope of research and publication misconduct, the journal may close the case. Where credible concerns remain, the editor may proceed to further examination.

4. Clarification and Opportunity to Respond

Where sufficient grounds exist for further examination, the editor will contact the authors or other relevant parties and explain the matters requiring clarification.

Depending on the nature of the allegation, authors may be asked to provide original research data, interview transcripts, field notes, research instruments, source materials, analysis records, ethics approval documentation, evidence of informed consent where applicable, or other relevant documentation.

The parties concerned will be given a reasonable timeframe specified by the editor to respond and provide supporting evidence. Further clarification may be requested when the response is incomplete or additional questions arise.

Failure to respond does not automatically establish misconduct. However, the journal may proceed with its assessment based on the available evidence and may take appropriate editorial action where warranted.

5. Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest

Reports, evidence, correspondence, and assessment materials will be handled confidentially and shared only with individuals whose involvement is necessary to resolve the case.

The identity of the complainant will be protected as far as reasonably possible, subject to the requirements of a fair assessment, institutional procedures, and applicable legal obligations.

Editors, reviewers, or other individuals with an actual or potential conflict of interest must not participate in decisions concerning the case. If an allegation involves the editor responsible for the manuscript or the journal's editorial leadership, responsibility will be transferred to an independent editor or a representative appointed by the publisher who has no relevant conflict of interest.

Independent expert assessment may be sought where necessary to ensure that the process is impartial and evidence-based.

6. Coordination with Institutions

The journal is responsible for editorial decisions and for maintaining the accuracy of its publication record. However, investigating research conduct or the professional behaviour of researchers may require the authority and expertise of the relevant institutions.

Where a concern cannot be resolved through editorial clarification, involves potentially serious misconduct, or requires a formal investigation, the journal may contact the institution where the research was conducted, the authors' affiliated institutions, or another competent body.

The journal may request relevant findings from an institutional investigation, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements. Editorial decisions will take account of the available evidence, responses from the parties concerned, and relevant institutional findings.

The journal may nevertheless take appropriate action to protect readers and preserve the integrity of the scholarly record when sufficient evidence establishes a problem with a submitted manuscript or published article.

7. Measures During Assessment

For unpublished manuscripts, the journal may suspend peer review, editorial processing, or publication while a serious concern is being examined.

For published articles, the journal may consider issuing an Expression of Concern when serious questions about the integrity or reliability of an article remain unresolved, available evidence is inconclusive, or a relevant investigation is ongoing.

An Expression of Concern informs readers that an issue affecting a publication is under examination. It does not, by itself, constitute a finding of misconduct. The journal will review the notice when additional evidence or investigation findings become available and will take further action where appropriate.

8. Decisions and Follow-Up Actions

The journal's response will reflect the nature and seriousness of the concern, the strength of the evidence, the explanations provided, and the implications for the integrity of the scholarly record.

Possible outcomes include:

• Case closure: Closing the case when the allegation lacks sufficient supporting evidence or has been satisfactorily explained.

• Revision or rejection: Requesting revisions to, or rejecting, an unpublished manuscript when appropriate.

• Correction: Publishing a correction when an error can be rectified without undermining the overall reliability of the article.

• Expression of Concern: Issuing or updating a notice when serious issues remain unresolved or an investigation is ongoing.

• Retraction: Retracting an article when sufficient grounds exist under the relevant publication ethics guidance.

Retraction is intended to correct the scholarly record and does not necessarily imply intentional misconduct by the authors. Honest errors that render findings unreliable may also warrant retraction.

Correction, Expression of Concern, and retraction notices will explain the reasons for the editorial action and be linked to the affected article. Retracted articles will generally remain accessible with a clear indication of their retracted status to preserve the publication record, except where exceptional circumstances justify removal of the content in accordance with applicable guidance and requirements.

9. Communication, Documentation, and Appeals

The journal will maintain secure records of allegations, supporting evidence, correspondence, assessment procedures, and decisions. Access to these records will be restricted to authorized individuals involved in handling the case.

Relevant parties will be informed of progress and outcomes to the extent possible without compromising confidentiality, the fairness of the process, or any ongoing institutional investigation. The time required to resolve a case will depend on its complexity and the need to obtain additional evidence or coordinate with other parties.

A party wishing to challenge an editorial decision may submit an appeal through the journal's official contact channels, explaining the grounds for the appeal and providing any relevant additional evidence.

Appeals will be considered by an individual without a conflict of interest and, wherever possible, by someone who was not involved in the original decision. The journal may reopen a case if material new evidence becomes available.

Syi’ar: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, Penyuluhan dan Bimbingan Masyarakat Islam is committed to applying this policy consistently, protecting the rights of the parties concerned, and maintaining public trust in the integrity and reliability of its scholarly publications.