Policy on the Evaluation of Allegations of Ethical Violations

The sustainability of trust in academic publishing depends on the impartial, systematic, and transparent handling of allegations of scientific misconduct. The Cardiovascular Academy Society ensures that its official journal operates in accordance with the principles set forth by international publication ethics organizations such as COPE, ICMJE, WAME, and CSE, and to develop practices compliant with relevant national legislation.

Definition and Reporting Channels
Ethical violations include serious scientific misconducts such as data fabrication, data falsification, and plagiarism. Such violations may be detected and reported not only by authors but also by reviewers, editors, or readers. Additionally, they can be identified through statistical analyses, replication studies, and digital forensic investigations.

In case of any suspicion of ethical violation, the initial responsibility for assessment lies with the editor of the journal. However, the authority to conduct a formal investigation rests not with the editor but with the author’s affiliated institutions, funding bodies, or competent ethics committees.

Publication Ethics Investigation Procedure
The Association recommends the following steps for addressing allegations of ethical violations:

1. Confidential Preliminary Assessment
- The editor evaluates the nature and seriousness of the allegation. If necessary, the complainant is requested to provide supporting evidence.

2. Request for Explanation from the Author(s)
- If the allegation appears reasonable, the editor initiates confidential correspondence with the concerned author(s) to seek an explanation.

3. Evaluation of the Explanation
- If misconduct is confirmed, the author(s) are asked to provide a signed statement and, if necessary, to retract the publication. The affiliated institution is also officially notified.
- If the explanation is satisfactory, the editor informs the complainant that no ethical violation has been identified.
- If the explanation is insufficient or not provided, the editor forwards the case to the author’s institution or relevant ethics authorities.
- The editor may request written confirmation, an investigation plan, and a timeline from the institution initiating the formal inquiry. Ideally, the investigation should commence within 60 days of notification.

Confidentiality and Inter-Institutional Cooperation
The entire evaluation process must be conducted confidentially. The identities of the parties involved are protected; communication is conducted only with authorized individuals, preferably through confidential correspondence or direct meetings. If the ethical concern involves multiple journals, confidential collaboration among the relevant editors may be established.

Institutional Commitment
The Cardiovascular Academy Society is committed to the thorough evaluation of ethical violation allegations, the preservation of the integrity of the scientific record, and the enhancement of transparency in publication processes. This policy represents a fundamental pillar of the Association’s responsibility toward scholarly publishing.