Procedure for reviewing complaints regarding violations of academic integrity and publication ethics

1. General provisions

1.1. This Procedure determines the procedure for submitting, registering, considering and resolving complaints regarding possible violations of ethical norms in the process of editorial activities of the scientific journal "Bulletin of the Kherson National Technical University".

1.2. This procedure is based on the principles of:
- academic integrity;
- impartiality;
- confidentiality;
- transparency of procedures;
- presumption of innocence until the fact of violation is established.

1.3. The procedure applies to authors, reviewers, members of the editorial board, editors and other persons involved in the editorial and publishing process.

2. Grounds for filing a complaint

2.1. A complaint may be filed in case of suspicion of:
- plagiarism or self-plagiarism;
- fabrication or falsification of data;
- unlawful authorship;
- undisclosed conflict of interest;
- manipulation of the review process;
- discriminatory or unethical behavior;
- breach of confidentiality;
- other violations of editorial and publication ethics.

3. Filing a complaint

3.1. The complaint shall be submitted in writing to the editorial office’s postal address or e-mail address.

3.2. The complaint shall contain:
- the full name of the applicant;
- contact details;
- a clear description of the circumstances;
- references to materials confirming the possible violation;
- date of submission.

3.3. Anonymous complaints may be considered if they contain sufficiently substantiated and verifiable information.

4. Registration and initial review

4.1. All complaints are registered by the editor-in-chief.

4.2. The initial review is carried out by the editor-in-chief or a member of the editorial board authorized by him within two weeks.

4.3. At this stage, it is determined:
- whether the complaint falls within the competence of the journal;
- whether there is enough information to start an investigation;
- whether there is no conflict of interest among the persons who will consider the case.

5. Investigation

5.1. If necessary, the editor-in-chief shall establish a temporary ethics commission.

5.2. The person against whom the complaint has been filed shall be informed of its work and shall be given the opportunity to provide written explanations.

5.3. If necessary, the editorial office may:
- contact the institution where the person against whom the complaint has been filed works;
- request additional materials;
- involve independent experts.

5.4. The investigation shall be carried out within 20 working days.

6. Decision making

6.1. Based on the results of the investigation, decisions may be made:
- absence of violation;
- requirement for correction;
- withdrawal of the article;
- refusal of further cooperation;
- informing the relevant institution or funding organization.

6.2. The decision is recorded in a protocol and notified to the person against whom the complaint was filed, the complainant and other interested parties.

7. Privacy

7.1. All case materials are confidential.

7.2. Information is disclosed only to the extent necessary to ensure proper investigation and implementation of editorial decisions.

In cases not provided for in these Procedures, the editorial office is guided by the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics.