Research misconduct refers to fabrication, falsification, citation manipulation, or plagiarism in proposing, conducting, reviewing, or reporting research, as well as in writing research findings for publication. When authors are found to have engaged in research misconduct or other serious irregularities involving articles published in scholarly journals, the editors are responsible for safeguarding the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

In cases of suspected misconduct, the editors and editorial board of As-Shuffah: Islam and Digital Humanities Review will follow the best practices and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and relevant guidance on research errors, falsification, and fabrication to ensure that allegations are handled fairly, consistently, and transparently. This process includes an investigation of the allegations by the editors. Manuscripts found to involve research misconduct will be rejected. If a published article is found to involve such misconduct, the journal may issue a retraction notice linked to the original article.

The first step in handling an allegation is to assess its credibility and determine whether the alleged conduct falls within the definition of research misconduct. This assessment also includes identifying any relevant conflicts of interest involving the individuals making the allegations.

If scientific misconduct or other substantial research irregularities are suspected, the corresponding author will be informed and asked to provide a detailed response on behalf of all co-authors. After the response has been received and evaluated, further review or consultation with relevant experts, such as statistical reviewers or subject specialists, may be necessary.

When the evidence indicates that misconduct is unlikely to have occurred, clarification, additional analysis, or both may be sufficient. Depending on the circumstances, the journal may publish a correction notice or other appropriate editorial communication to maintain the accuracy of the scholarly record.

Relevant institutions are expected to conduct appropriate and thorough investigations into allegations of scientific misconduct. Authors, journals, and institutions share an important responsibility to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. By responding appropriately to concerns and taking necessary actions, including corrections, retractions with replacement, or retractions, As-Shuffah: Islam and Digital Humanities Review remains committed to upholding the validity, transparency, and integrity of published research.

The journal's procedures for handling allegations of research misconduct are guided by the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and its relevant guidance on retractions and publication ethics. Further information is available in the COPE Retraction Guidelines.

Retraction Policy

Articles published in As-Shuffah: Islam and Digital Humanities Review may be considered for retraction under the following circumstances:

• There is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, whether as a result of research misconduct, such as data fabrication or falsification, or an honest error, such as a miscalculation or experimental error.

• The findings have previously been published elsewhere without appropriate cross-referencing, permission, or justification, constituting redundant or duplicate publication.

• The article contains plagiarism.

• The research involved unethical practices or violated applicable research ethics requirements.

The journal will assess each case carefully and determine the appropriate action based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the concern, and applicable publication ethics standards.

The retraction process will follow the COPE Retraction Guidelines. When a retraction is necessary, the journal will publish a clear retraction notice explaining the reasons for the action and link it to the original article. Retracted articles will ordinarily remain accessible with a prominent retraction notice to preserve the transparency and integrity of the scholarly record.