- Flowcharts
What to do if you suspect image manipulation in a published article
COPE's guidance in the form of a flowchart on what to do if you suspect that images in a published article have been manipulated. This flowchart relates only to cases where concerns related to digital photographic images are raised (eg, duplication of parts within an image, or use of identical images… - Flowcharts
Systematic manipulation of the publication process
Manipulation of the publication process is a relatively new form of misconduct affecting the publishing industry. These guidelines represent an important first step towards encouraging openness and collaboration between publishers to address this phenomenon. Systematic manipulation of the publication process is where an individual or a group of individuals have repeatedly used dis… - Flowcharts
General approach to publication ethics for the Editorial Office
A guide detailing the suggested approach to the organisation of the Editorial Office in order to comply with COPE’s Core Practices. COPE has many resources to assist publishers and editors in making decisions about ethical issues in publication, including guidelines, - Flowcharts
Suspected redundant publication in a published manuscript
What to do if you suspect redundant (duplicate) publication in a published manuscript. The instructions to authors should state the journal’s policy on redundant publication. Asking authors to sign a statement or tick a box may be helpful in subsequent investigations. ICMJE advises that translations are acceptable but MUST reference the original. Editors may consid… - Flowcharts
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Arabic: all flowcharts
…This is all of COPE's flowcharts in Arabic. Other languages: Chinese | Croatian | English | - Flowcharts
Chinese: all flowcharts
…This is COPE's flowcharts in Chinese Other languages: Arabic | Croatian | English | - Flowcharts
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Italian: all flowcharts
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French: all flowcharts
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Japanese: all flowcharts
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Persian: 14 flowcharts
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Polish: all flowcharts
…This is COPE's flowcharts in Polish Other languages: Arabic | Chinese | Croatian | - Flowcharts
Spanish: All flowcharts
…This is COPE's flowcharts in Spanish Other languages: Arabic | Chinese | Croatian | - Flowcharts
Turkish: all flowcharts
…This is COPE's flowcharts in Turkish Other languages: Arabic | Chinese | Croatian | - Guidelines
Retraction guidelines
…Summary Editors should consider retracting a publication if: They have clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of major error (eg, miscalculation or experimental error), or as a result of fabrication (eg, of data) or falsification (eg, image manipulation) It constitutes plagiarism The findings have previously been published el… - CaseOn-going
Allegations related to multiple papers and journals
A publisher is responding to allegations about a particular group of authors. The complainants have accused this group of authors of wide scale research fabrication and misconduct, relating to a large number of their papers across many different journals (published by a variety of publishers). The publisher and the journals that are investigating and responding to these claims have refer… - CaseOn-going
Institution wants to retract despite ongoing legal proceedings
The case has been with two publishers for more than a year. Journal A at publisher A published article A by author A, affiliated to institution A and institution B (in another country), and author B affiliated to institution B. Journal B at publisher B then published article B, by the same authors and affiliations. The two articles are on closely related research. Shortly after publicati… - CaseOn-going
Institution refuses to investigate scientific issues
A publisher was alerted to possible issues with band duplication in an article (more than 10 years old) by a reader. The corresponding author was contacted to resolve the issue. The author was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the bands, and because of the age of the article, the original data were no longer available. The institution was asked to investigate; a summary of the ca… - CaseOn-going
Appropriate scope of review for retractions
An institutional review recommended retraction of certain works by a highly prolific and influential author who has since died. The institutional review focused on a relatively small portion of this author’s work. The institution recommended retraction based on deeming the articles unsafe and identifying several concerns, including that the articles' conclusions were implausible. As a pu…