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How BCPHR investigates concerns about research integrity, following COPE guidelines.
BCPHR is committed to the integrity of the scholarly record. Allegations and suspicions of research misconduct are reviewed and investigated by the BCPHR Advisory Board following COPE guidelines. All investigations are conducted transparently while respecting and maintaining confidentiality for both complainants and respondents. This page describes what counts as misconduct, how to report a concern, and how investigations proceed.
Passing off another person's work, words, ideas, or data as one's own, including verbatim copying, close paraphrasing, self-plagiarism (text recycling), and unattributed reproduction of figures or tables.
Inventing data or results that were not actually observed or generated. Reporting on participants who do not exist, sites that were not visited, measurements that were not taken.
Manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data such that the research record does not accurately reflect what was observed. Includes selective reporting and inappropriate exclusion of data points.
Altering figures or images in ways that misrepresent the underlying data, including duplication, splicing, or selective adjustment of brightness or contrast that changes the scientific meaning.
Coercive or excessive self-citation, citation cartels (groups of authors who agree to cite one another), or omission of citations that would have demonstrated prior work or competing interpretations.
Conducting research without required ethical approvals, failing to obtain informed consent, violating privacy protections, or other breaches of human or animal subjects protections.
Concerns may be raised by anyone (authors, reviewers, readers, institutional officials) and should be submitted in writing to the editorial team with supporting documentation where possible.
The editorial team conducts an initial review to assess whether the concern merits investigation. Concerns deemed credible are referred to the BCPHR Advisory Board.
Three members of the BCPHR Advisory Board are convened as an investigation committee. Members with conflicts of interest in the matter recuse themselves.
If warranted, a notice of investigation is sent to both the complainant and the respondent. Both parties are afforded the opportunity to respond and provide evidence. A deadline for evidence submission is set.
The committee reviews all evidence, conducts additional inquiries as needed, and renders a decision. Decisions may include: no action, correction, expression of concern, retraction, notification of the author's institution, or barring from future submission.
The decision is communicated to both parties. Where the decision affects published material, a public notice is issued in accordance with the Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern policy.
Investigations are conducted confidentially. The identity of complainants is protected to the extent possible. Respondents are afforded the opportunity to respond before any public action is taken. BCPHR does not publicize investigations until and unless they result in a public notice (correction, expression of concern, retraction).
Allegations made in bad faith (knowingly false, retaliatory, or vexatious) are taken seriously and may themselves result in action against the complainant. BCPHR distinguishes between good-faith concerns that prove unfounded (which are common and welcome) and bad-faith allegations (which are not).
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