The International Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Studies (IJAHSS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, publication ethics, and academic transparency. The journal takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously and investigates them fairly, confidentially, and impartially in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Allegations may be raised before publication or after an article has been published, and every concern will be assessed based on the available evidence.

Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

• Plagiarism or self-plagiarism.

• Data fabrication or falsification.

• Image manipulation.

• Duplicate or redundant publication.

• Authorship disputes or inappropriate authorship practices.

• Undisclosed conflicts of interest.

• Ethical approval or informed consent violations.

• Citation manipulation or other unethical publication practices.

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editorial Office conducts a preliminary assessment to determine whether the concern is credible and supported by sufficient evidence. If necessary, the corresponding author may be asked to provide an explanation, original data, ethical approval documents, or other relevant information. The journal may also consult reviewers, editorial board members, or the authors' affiliated institutions when appropriate to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

During the investigation, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

• Request clarification or additional supporting documentation.

• Suspend the editorial or publication process.

• Reject the manuscript if ethical concerns are confirmed.

• Publish a correction, expression of concern, or retraction for published articles.

• Notify the authors' institution, funding agency, or other relevant authorities in cases of serious misconduct.

• Implement any additional measures considered appropriate under COPE guidance.

All investigations are conducted confidentially, respecting the rights of both complainants and authors while ensuring a fair and objective process. The journal is committed to resolving allegations promptly and transparently, with decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions. Through this policy, the journal seeks to preserve the integrity, credibility, and reliability of the scholarly record and to promote responsible research and ethical publishing practices.