The European Journal of Medical Practitioners (EJMP) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and publication ethics. The journal takes all allegations of research and publication misconduct seriously and investigates them fairly, confidentially, and without bias.

EJMP follows the recommendations and COPE Flowcharts published by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when handling suspected cases of research misconduct. These internationally recognized guidelines ensure that investigations are conducted transparently, consistently, and in accordance with best practices in scholarly publishing.

Authors are strongly encouraged to read the journal's Author Guidelines, Publication Ethics Policy, and all editorial policies carefully before submitting their manuscripts.

Definition of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Plagiarism.
• Self-plagiarism or duplicate publication.
• Data fabrication or falsification.
• Image manipulation.
• Citation manipulation.
• Authorship disputes or inappropriate authorship.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
• Ethical approval deficiencies.
• Failure to obtain informed consent where required.
• Submission of false or misleading information.
• Any practice that compromises the integrity of the research or publication process.

Reporting Allegations

Allegations of research misconduct may be submitted by authors, reviewers, editors, readers, institutions, or any other concerned party. Reports should include sufficient information and supporting evidence to enable a fair assessment.

All allegations will be treated confidentially and investigated objectively.

Investigation Process

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editorial Office will:

• Conduct a preliminary assessment of the available evidence.
• Contact the corresponding author for clarification where appropriate.
• Request supporting documents or original research data if necessary.
• Consult reviewers, editorial board members, or independent experts when required.
• Follow the appropriate COPE Flowcharts and ethical guidance throughout the investigation.
• Communicate with the authors' institution or funding agency when warranted.

The journal is committed to ensuring due process and providing all parties with an opportunity to respond before a final decision is reached.

Editorial Actions

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

• Request clarification or correction from the authors.
• Require revision of the manuscript.
• Reject the manuscript.
• Suspend the editorial review process.
• Publish a Correction, Erratum, or Corrigendum.
• Issue an Expression of Concern.
• Retract the published article.
• Notify the authors' institution, employer, funding agency, or other relevant authorities where appropriate.
• Restrict future submissions from authors found to have committed serious or repeated misconduct.

Confidentiality

All investigations are conducted with strict confidentiality. Information regarding allegations will be shared only with individuals directly involved in the investigation or where disclosure is required to ensure a fair and appropriate resolution.

Appeals

Authors may appeal editorial decisions related to research misconduct by submitting a detailed written explanation together with any supporting evidence. Appeals will be reviewed independently by the Editor-in-Chief or an appropriately designated editor, and additional expert advice may be sought when necessary.

Compliance with International Standards

The European Journal of Medical Practitioners (EJMP) follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), including the COPE Flowcharts, as well as the guidance of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), to ensure that allegations of research misconduct are managed fairly, consistently, and transparently.

For further guidance on publication ethics and research misconduct, please refer to the COPE Guidance and Flowcharts:

https://publicationethics.org/guidance

Commitment to Research Integrity

The European Journal of Medical Practitioners (EJMP) is dedicated to promoting honesty, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. By adhering to internationally recognized ethical standards and COPE guidance, the journal seeks to preserve the integrity of the scientific record and maintain the trust of authors, reviewers, readers, and the wider research community.