Anti-Abuse Policy
ANTI-ABUSE POLICY
Tabayyun : Journal of Islamic Studies
Tabayyun : Journal of Islamic Studie is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, publication ethics, and academic honesty. The journal adopts the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and implements strict policies to prevent any form of publication misconduct or abuse.
The following policies apply to all authors, editors, reviewers, editorial board members, and publishers.
1. Plagiarism Policy
AJIMS only accepts original manuscripts that have not been published elsewhere and are not under consideration by another journal.
The journal prohibits:
- plagiarism;
- self-plagiarism;
- mosaic plagiarism;
- text recycling without proper citation;
- unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
All submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin) before entering the peer-review process.
If plagiarism is detected:
- before review → the manuscript will be rejected;
- after publication → the article may be corrected, retracted, or removed depending on the severity.
2. Citation Manipulation Policy
AJIMS strictly prohibits any attempt to manipulate citation metrics.
Examples include:
- excessive self-citation;
- coercive citation requested by editors or reviewers;
- citation stacking among journals;
- inclusion of irrelevant references solely to increase citation counts.
Editors and reviewers must recommend additional references only when they genuinely improve the scientific quality of the manuscript.
Any evidence of citation manipulation may result in rejection or editorial sanctions.
3. Peer Review Manipulation Policy
AJIMS employs an independent peer-review process.
The journal prohibits:
- fake reviewer identities;
- fabricated reviewer email addresses;
- review rings;
- unauthorized reviewer impersonation;
- interference with editorial decisions.
Editors independently select reviewers and verify reviewer identities whenever necessary.
Any attempt to manipulate peer review constitutes serious publication misconduct.
4. AI-Generated Content Policy
Authors may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools solely as writing assistance for grammar improvement, language editing, or formatting.
However:
- AI tools cannot be listed as authors.
- Authors remain fully responsible for all manuscript content.
- AI-generated scientific interpretations, data, conclusions, references, or images must be carefully verified by the authors.
- Fabricated references produced by AI are strictly prohibited.
Authors should disclose significant AI assistance in the manuscript when applicable.
5. Paper Mill Policy
AJIMS does not accept manuscripts produced or sold by commercial paper mills or unauthorized manuscript production services.
Indicators include:
- fabricated authorship;
- purchased manuscripts;
- manipulated peer review;
- inconsistent data;
- suspicious authorship changes;
- identical structures across unrelated submissions.
The Editorial Office reserves the right to request:
- raw data;
- ethics approval documents;
- contributor statements;
- institutional verification.
Evidence of paper mill involvement will result in immediate rejection or retraction.
6. Data Fabrication and Falsification Policy
AJIMS requires authors to present accurate, complete, and truthful research findings.
The journal prohibits:
- fabrication of data;
- falsification of research results;
- manipulation of figures;
- image alteration that changes scientific meaning;
- selective omission of data.
Editors may request:
- raw datasets;
- original images;
- statistical analysis files;
- ethical approval documents.
Failure to provide supporting evidence may result in rejection or retraction.
7. Duplicate Submission and Redundant Publication Policy
Submitted manuscripts must:
- not be under review by another journal;
- not have been previously published;
- not substantially overlap with published work.
Duplicate submission, redundant publication, and salami publication are prohibited.
Authors must disclose any closely related manuscripts during submission.
Violation of this policy may lead to immediate rejection.
8. Authorship Integrity Policy
Only individuals who have made substantial scholarly contributions may be listed as authors.
Gift authorship, guest authorship, honorary authorship, and ghost authorship are considered publication misconduct.
Changes in authorship after submission require:
- written agreement from all authors;
- editorial approval;
- adequate justification.
9. Conflict of Interest Policy
Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that may influence the publication process.
Undisclosed conflicts of interest may result in rejection, correction, or retraction.
10. Ethical Complaints and Investigation
All allegations of publication misconduct will be investigated confidentially in accordance with the COPE Core Practices.
Investigations may involve:
- communication with authors;
- consultation with reviewers;
- institutional inquiries;
- requests for supporting documentation.
AJIMS guarantees fair, objective, and transparent investigations.
11. Sanctions for Publication Misconduct
Depending on the severity of the violation, AJIMS may impose one or more of the following sanctions:
- manuscript rejection;
- suspension of the review process;
- publication correction (Correction);
- Expression of Concern;
- article retraction;
- removal of the article from the journal website when legally required;
- notification to the author's institution or funding agency;
- temporary or permanent submission ban;
- removal from the Editorial Board or reviewer database.
Sanctions are determined proportionally based on the seriousness of the misconduct.
12. Reporting Misconduct
Anyone who suspects publication misconduct may contact the Editorial Office with supporting evidence.
All reports will be treated confidentially.
The journal will evaluate every allegation objectively and without discrimination.
