KOMUNITA: Jurnal Pengabdian dan Pemberdayaan kepada Masyarakat is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, publication ethics, and academic accountability. The journal takes all allegations of research ethics violations seriously and addresses them fairly, confidentially, and objectively in accordance with applicable principles of publication ethics.

1. Scope of Research Ethics Violations
Research ethics violations may include, but are not limited to:

• Fabrication: Creating data, results, activities, or research findings that do not exist and reporting them as genuine.

• Falsification: Manipulating materials, processes, data, or research results such that the research is represented inaccurately.

• Plagiarism: Using the ideas, words, data, or work of others without proper acknowledgment.

• Duplicate or redundant publication: Submitting or publishing work that substantially overlaps without proper disclosure or justification.

• Authorship violations: Improperly assigning authorship, omitting eligible contributors, or listing individuals who did not make an appropriate contribution.

• Ethical violations: Conducting research or community service activities involving human participants, personal data, or other protected interests without the required ethical approval or safeguards, where applicable.

• Undisclosed conflicts of interest: Failing to disclose relevant financial, professional, or personal relationships that may influence the work.

• Manipulation of the publication process: Practices such as falsifying peer reviewer identities, fabricating reviewer reports, or attempting to improperly influence editorial decisions.

2. Reporting Allegations
Authors, reviewers, editors, readers, research participants, institutions, and other interested parties may report suspected research ethics violations to the editorial team. Reports must include a clear description of the concerns and, where possible, supporting evidence such as relevant documents, publication links, data, or correspondence.

Allegations must be submitted via email to: jurnalkomunita@gmail.com.

The journal encourages reporting in good faith. Reports will be assessed based on their substance and the available evidence, and allegations will not be treated as established facts prior to due assessment.

3. Assessment and Investigation
Upon receiving an allegation, the editorial team will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the concern falls within the journal's scope and whether sufficient information is available for further review. The editor may consult relevant editorial policies, independent experts, or the author's affiliated institution, as appropriate.

If further investigation is required, the journal may:

• Review the submitted evidence and relevant publication records.

• Request clarification or supporting documentation from the author or authors concerned.

• Seek advice from independent experts or consult with the relevant research institution or ethics committee where necessary.

• Assess responses and evidence objectively, providing reasonable opportunity for the parties involved to respond.

• Determine appropriate action based on the severity of the concerns and the available evidence.

Editors with a conflict of interest in the matter will not participate in the assessment or decision-making process. The journal will endeavor to protect the confidentiality of the parties involved to the extent reasonably possible, while ensuring a fair and proper review.

4. Possible Editorial Actions
Depending on the findings, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

• Request clarification, additional information, or corrections to the manuscript.

• Reject the manuscript where serious concerns remain unresolved prior to publication.

• Publish a correction, expression of concern, or retraction where justified by the evidence and the journal's publication ethics policy.

• Notify the author's affiliated institution, the relevant ethics committee, or other appropriate bodies where necessary and justified.

• Restrict future submissions from individuals involved in proven serious violations, where proportionate and supported by journal policy.

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the nature and severity of the violation and will be based on the available evidence. Retractions or other public notices will be handled transparently in accordance with the journal's applicable policies.

5. Protection against Retaliation and Malicious Allegations
The journal will make reasonable efforts to protect individuals who raise concerns in good faith from undue retaliation. At the same time, allegations that are deliberately false, fabricated, or malicious may be addressed accordingly. Unsubstantiated allegations are not in themselves to be regarded as evidence of wrongdoing by the accused person or the person making the report.

6. Confidentiality and Record Keeping
Information relating to allegations will be handled confidentially and shared only with individuals or organizations whose involvement is necessary for a fair assessment or investigation. The journal will maintain appropriate records of allegations, evidence considered, communications, and decisions in accordance with applicable policies and requirements.

7. Editorial Independence
All allegations will be assessed independently of commercial interests, institutional pressure, or personal relationships. The journal aims to ensure that decisions are based on evidence, ethical principles, and the integrity of the scholarly record.

8. Contact
Questions or reports regarding suspected research ethics violations should be directed to the editorial team of KOMUNITA: Jurnal Pengabdian dan Pemberdayaan kepada Masyarakat at jurnalkomunita@gmail.com.