Research misconduct encompasses fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, citation manipulation, and other unethical practices in conducting research, evaluating scholarly work, reporting findings, or preparing manuscripts for publication. Al-Ghazali: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Islam dan Studi Islam is committed to safeguarding the accuracy, credibility, and integrity of the scholarly record. Any allegations of research misconduct or serious violations of publication ethics will be handled by the editorial team in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner.

In addressing suspected misconduct, the Editors and Editorial Board follow applicable publication ethics principles and relevant best-practice guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All allegations are assessed carefully, and further investigation is undertaken when justified by the available information. Manuscripts found to involve research misconduct may be rejected. If misconduct is established after publication, the journal will implement appropriate corrective measures, which may include a correction notice, an expression of concern, or a retraction, depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation. Retraction notices will be linked to the original article to ensure transparency and preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

Procedures for Handling Allegations

The journal applies a systematic and impartial procedure for evaluating allegations of research misconduct.

1. Initial Assessment

The Editors conduct an initial evaluation to determine whether the allegation concerns potential research misconduct or another substantial breach of publication ethics. The assessment considers the credibility of the information provided, the supporting evidence, and any relevant conflicts of interest involving the parties concerned.

2. Notification and Opportunity to Respond

When an allegation warrants further examination, the corresponding author will be contacted and invited to provide an explanation and relevant supporting documentation on behalf of the authors. The editorial team will consider the response alongside the available evidence before determining the next steps.

3. Further Investigation

Following the initial assessment and the author's response, the Editors may request additional documentation, consult independent experts, or seek specialist advice, including statistical or methodological assessment, where appropriate. The investigation will be conducted objectively, and the individuals concerned will be given a reasonable opportunity to clarify the issues and provide relevant information.

4. Editorial Decision and Corrective Measures

The Editors determine the appropriate action based on the evidence available and the seriousness of the identified concerns. Where an issue can be resolved without establishing misconduct, the journal may request clarification, additional analysis, or a formal correction. If substantial violations are confirmed, the journal may reject the manuscript, retract a published article, or take other appropriate measures in accordance with its editorial policies and publication ethics principles.

5. Referral to Institutions or Relevant Authorities

Where necessary, the journal may refer allegations to the author's affiliated institution or another relevant authority for further examination. Institutions may be asked to investigate the matter in accordance with their research integrity procedures and communicate relevant findings to the journal when appropriate.

Maintaining the Integrity of the Scholarly Record

Maintaining research integrity is a shared responsibility among authors, editors, reviewers, and research institutions. Al-Ghazali: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Islam dan Studi Islam is committed to correcting the scholarly record whenever credible concerns are established and appropriate action is warranted.

Depending on the circumstances, corrective measures may include publishing a correction, issuing an expression of concern, retracting an article, or publishing a corrected replacement version when justified by the nature of the case and applicable publication ethics guidance. Retraction or correction notices will clearly explain the reason for the action and maintain an appropriate link to the original publication.

All allegations will be handled with due regard for confidentiality, procedural fairness, impartiality, and the rights of the individuals involved. The journal seeks to ensure that editorial decisions are evidence-based and proportionate to the seriousness of the concerns. Its overarching objective is to protect the reliability of published research, maintain public confidence in scholarly communication, and preserve the integrity of the academic record.