The Editor-in-Chief determines whether to initiate an investigation based on the credibility and sufficiency of the evidence provided. Throughout the investigation, all information is treated with strict confidentiality and shared only with those directly involved. The individual accused of misconduct is always afforded the opportunity to respond to the allegations. Upon conclusion of the investigation, any confirmed misconduct is categorized as either minor or serious.

Minor misconduct refers to actions that do not significantly compromise the integrity of the article or the journal. These typically involve misunderstandings or inadvertent errors in applying publication standards. Examples include:

• Accidentally omitting a cited source from the reference list despite proper in-text citation
• Minor formatting issues that do not affect the scholarly content

Such cases are addressed directly with the authors or reviewers without involving external parties. Possible resolutions include:

• Issuing a warning letter to the concerned parties
• Publishing a correction (e.g., adding omitted references to the reference list)
• Publishing an erratum when the error originated from editorial handling

Major misconduct involves serious violations of ethical standards that undermine the integrity of the research or the journal. Examples include:

• Plagiarism in any form (unattributed use of text, data, or ideas)
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Undisclosed simultaneous submission to multiple journals
• Fraudulent peer review practices (e.g., fabricated reviewer identities)

For major misconduct, the Editor-in-Chief or Editorial Board may implement one or more of the following measures:

• Publishing a formal editorial or announcement detailing the misconduct
• Notifying the affiliated institution of the author or reviewer
• Formally retracting the publication in accordance with the journal's Retraction Policy
• Imposing a submission ban on the individual for a specified period (e.g., one to three years)
• Referring the case to professional organizations such as COPE or relevant legal authorities for further action

When necessary, the Editorial Board may consult with expert organizations, committees, or individuals to assist in resolving complex cases.

In all matters related to unethical behavior, the Editorial Board follows the guidelines and recommendations provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Investigations and resolutions are conducted in accordance with COPE's best practices to ensure a fair, impartial, and ethically sound process.