Probably COPE's greatest resource and certainly its most practical are the 17 flowcharts that provide algorithms for editors to follow when they suspect publication misconduct. The flowcharts are available to download as individual PDFs.
The complete set of 17 is here (Download PDF, 476 kb).

The individual flowcharts are listed below, as are the translations which are only available as a complete set. The flowcharts are the copyright of COPE but we allow their reuse with appropriate accreditation for no charge. To apply for permission to reuse the flowcharts, contact the Administrator here.

We are always looking for new translations, if you have the ability to translate the flowcharts into a language not yet represented, please contact the Administrator here.
 

Individual flowcharts

What to do if you suspect redundant (duplicate) publication
(a) Suspected redundant publication in a submitted manuscript (Download PDF, 60 kb)
(b) Suspected redundant publication in a published article (Download PDF, 84 kb)

What to do if you suspect plagiarism
(a) Suspected plagiarism in a submitted manuscript (Download PDF, 80 kb)
(b) Suspected plagiarism in a published article (Download PDF, 76 kb)

What to do if you suspect fabricated data
(a) Suspected fabricated data in a submitted manuscript (Download PDF, 84 kb)
(b) Suspected fabricated data in a published article (Download PDF, 84 kb)

Changes in authorship
(a) Corresponding author requests addition of extra author before publication (Download PDF, 52 kb)
(b) Corresponding author requests removal of author before publication (Download PDF, 52 kb)
(c) Request for addition of extra author after publication (Download PDF, 60 kb)
(d) Request for removal of author after publication (Download PDF, 68 kb)
(e) Suspected guest, ghost or gift authorship (Download PDF, 76 kb)
(f) Advice on how to spot authorship problems (Download PDF, 64 kb)

What to do if a reviewer suspects undisclosed conflict of interest (CoI) in a submitted manuscript (Download PDF, 56 kb)

What to do if a reader suspects undisclosed conflict of interest (CoI) in a published article (Download PDF, 56 kb)

What to do if you suspect an ethical problem with a submitted manuscript (Download PDF, 68 kb)

What to do if you suspect reviewer misconduct (Download PDF, 88 kb)

How COPE handles complaints against editors (Download PDF, 68 kb)
 

Translations

Our translated flowcharts in Croatian, Mandarin and Spanish are currently being updated to add the new flowcharts and to our new style.