Fabrication & Falsification

The Journal of Computer and Data Science (JCODA) is committed to upholding research integrity, transparency, accuracy, and accountability in scholarly publishing. Fabrication and falsification of research data, methods, results, or other scholarly information are serious violations of publication ethics and are strictly prohibited. Authors are expected to ensure that all information presented in their manuscripts accurately reflects the research conducted and the evidence obtained.

Research Integrity Policy

JCODA does not accept the invention, manipulation, or misrepresentation of research data, experimental procedures, computational results, analytical outputs, or supporting evidence. All submitted research must be conducted and reported honestly, with sufficient transparency to support appropriate evaluation and verification.

Definitions of Research Misconduct

Fabrication

Fabrication is the invention of data, observations, experiments, participants, computational results, or other research information and presenting them as if they were genuine.

Examples:

Inventing experimental observations that were never collected.
Creating fictitious survey responses or participant records.
Reporting model performance results from experiments that were never conducted.
Presenting simulated or synthetic data as real-world observations without clear disclosure.

Falsification

Falsification is the manipulation of research materials, equipment, procedures, data, images, analytical processes, or results, or the omission or alteration of information in a way that misrepresents the research record.

Examples:

Changing or selectively removing data to obtain a desired outcome.
Manipulating images, graphs, or figures to misrepresent findings.
Misreporting statistical analyses, model metrics, or experimental conditions.
Concealing contradictory results that materially affect the interpretation of findings.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all research submitted to or published in JCODA, including empirical studies, computational research, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, decision support systems, simulations, software-based experiments, and other relevant scholarly contributions.

Research Data

Original datasets, survey responses, observations, measurements, and collected records.

Computational Results

Algorithms, model outputs, evaluation metrics, simulations, and computational experiments.

Analysis and Reporting

Statistical analyses, data transformations, visualizations, interpretations, and reported conclusions.

Research Documentation

Research protocols, experimental procedures, source code, supporting documents, and supplementary materials.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for the accuracy, authenticity, and integrity of the data and results reported in their manuscripts. They must ensure that research findings are presented honestly and that any limitations, uncertainties, exclusions, or methodological changes that may affect interpretation are appropriately disclosed.

Maintain accurate research records and retain supporting data, analysis procedures, and relevant documentation.

Report methods, datasets, analytical procedures, and experimental conditions truthfully and transparently.

Clearly distinguish real-world observations, publicly available datasets, simulations, and synthetic data.

Avoid selective reporting, misleading visualizations, or undisclosed data manipulation that could distort research findings.

Cooperate with reasonable editorial requests for clarification, supporting evidence, or verification of reported results.

Handling Suspected Cases

If fabrication or falsification is suspected, the editorial team will evaluate the available information and take appropriate steps to establish the facts. Concerns may arise during initial screening, peer review, post-publication assessment, or through reports from readers, reviewers, researchers, or institutions.

Initial Assessment

The editorial team reviews the concern and determines whether there is sufficient basis for further examination.

Evidence Review

Relevant data, source files, analytical outputs, research records, and other available evidence may be examined.

Author Response

The authors may be asked to explain the concern and provide supporting information relevant to the assessment.

Decision and Follow-up

Based on the evidence and applicable procedures, the journal determines the appropriate editorial action and any necessary follow-up.

Possible Consequences

Confirmed fabrication or falsification may result in one or more of the following actions, depending on the seriousness of the misconduct, the evidence available, and the publication stage:

Rejection of the submitted manuscript.
Requests for correction or clarification where the issue is limited and can be appropriately resolved.
Publication of a correction, expression of concern, or retraction when warranted.
Notification of the relevant institution, funding body, or other appropriate authority where justified.
Further editorial measures in cases of serious or repeated misconduct, consistent with applicable journal policies.

Fairness, Confidentiality, and Due Process

JCODA seeks to handle suspected research misconduct objectively, confidentially, and consistently. An allegation is not, by itself, proof of misconduct. Editorial decisions should be based on relevant evidence, appropriate consideration of the authors' responses, and the seriousness of the identified concern. Where an investigation requires institutional expertise or authority beyond the journal's remit, the matter may be referred to the appropriate institution or body.

Commitment to Research Integrity

JCODA upholds the principles of honesty, transparency, reproducibility, and accountability in research. Authors, reviewers, and editors share responsibility for protecting the reliability of the scholarly record and ensuring that published findings are supported by genuine evidence and ethically conducted research.