Chapter 1: General Provisions

• Article 1 (Objective)
  This regulation establishes research ethics for JCM theses authors and aims to implement the rapid, fair and systematic verification of research misconduct.
• Article 2 (Application)
  This provision applies to all JCM contributors.
• Article 3 (Definitions of terms)
  1. "Research misconduct" refers to the act of falsifying, modifying, plagiarizing, and displaying as the unjustified author of an article in a process of proposing, conducting, and presenting research regardless of the purpose of the research, either intentionally or by grave error. Defined as follows:
  

  • ① "Falsification" means the act of creating false research data or research results that do not exist.
  • ② "Modification" refers to the act of altering or omitting research data, research process, or research results in a way that is distorted.
  • ③ "Plagiarism" refers to the use of other people's ideas, research processes, research results, etc.
  • ④ "Indication of unjustified authorship" means the act of not giving credit for authorship to a person who has contributed to the academic papers, or granting authorship to a person who did not contribute to an academic research or results.
  • ⑤ This includes acts that seriously damage academic truthfulness.

  2. The term "informer" means a person who has notified KSKCS & KCCS of facts or relevant evidence of research misconduct.
  3. The term "respondent" means a person who has been investigated for research misconduct by the informer or the academy.
  4. "The present investigation" means a procedure for verifying the facts of the allegation of misconduct.
  5. "Decision" means the procedure of confirming the result of the investigation and notifying the informer and the respondent in writing.

Chapter 2: Composition of the Committee

• Article 4 (Composition)
  Chapter 2: Composition of the Committee
• Article 5 (Election of Chairperson and Members)
  1. The chairperson shall also be a legal director, and the Chairperson, the president, and the Editorial Director shall be ex officio members. An elected committee member shall be selected by the Chairman of the Editorial Board.
  2. If the Chairperson’s leave of absence begins with over one year left until completion of his/her term, a replacement Chairperson shall be elected at the next meeting by recommendation of the Board of Directors. However, until the election of the Chairperson, the senior member of the committee shall act as Chairperson.
  3. When a committee member vacates their position, the Chairman shall appoint a new member according to the recommendation of the board of directors which should be approved by the next Board of Directors.
  4. If the Board of Directors does not certify the appointment of the members of the preceding paragraph, the appointment of members shall be null and void. However, decisions of the existing committee shall not be nullified retroactively.
• Article 6 (Term of Members, etc.)
  1. The term of a committee member may be renewed for two years.
  2. The term of the replacement member's tenure shall be the remaining term.

Chapter 3: Research Ethics Screening

• Article 7 (Function)
  The Research Ethics Committee deliberates and resolves the following issues regarding the research ethics of JCM theses authors:
  1. Matters concerning establishment of research ethics.
  2. Matters concerning prevention and investigation of research misconduct.
  3. Matters concerning the protection of informers and the maintenance of confidentiality.
  4. Matters concerning research ethics violation verification, processing of verification results and follow-up actions.
  5. Matters concerning respondent’s innocence and restoration of reputation.
  6. Other matters as raised by the Chairperson.
• Article 8 (Meetings)
  1. If necessary, the chairperson convenes a meeting and chairs the meeting.
  2. Unless otherwise provided, the results of the meeting shall be decided upon when a majority of the members are present and a majority of the members present are in agreement. However, the Chairperson shall be recognized as attending the meeting but the right to vote shall not be granted.
  3. When the committee deems it necessary, the person involved may attend and the committee listen to his/her opinions.
  4. Meetings are not open to the public.
  5. Committee members involved in the research that is subject to investigation can not participate in the meeting.
• Article 9 (Committee's Authority and Responsibilities)
  1. The committee may require the attendance and submission of materials by an informer, a respondent, a witness or a reference person during the investigation process.
  2. If the respondent refuses to attend nor submit a presentation without justifiable reason, he/she can be presumed to have admitted the allegation.
  3. The Commission may take reasonable steps to prevent the loss of, damage to, concealment of, or tampering with, of the research records or evidence.
  4. The members of the Committee shall comply with the confidentiality of all matters related to deliberation.

Chapter 4: Verification of research ethics violations

• Article 10 (Reporting and receiving information regarding fraudulent activities)
  1. The informer can report directly to KSKCS & KCCS Secretariat or the Research Ethics Committee by phone, in writing, by e-mail, etc. and report it with his / her real name. However, even if an anonymous proposal is made, it should be handled in accordance with the regulations pertaining to confidentiality if it is reported in writing or by e-mail including the title of the paper (or title of the research project) and the contents and specific evidence of fraud.
• Article 11 (Investigation of irregularities)
  The Committee shall investigate the existence of cheating in the event of specific reports or substantial suspicions.
• Article 12 (Request for Attendance and Data Submission)
  1. The Committee may require a person who is an informer, a respondent, a witness, and a reference person to attend a hearing. The respondent must answer the accusations.
  2. The Committee may require the subject to submit data, and with the approval of the head of the research institute in order to preserve the evidence, the Committee may confiscate and store the relevant research data for the persons involved in the misconduct.
• Article 13 (Protection of Confidential Rights of Informers and Respondents)
  1. Under no circumstances shall the informer's identity be exposed directly or indirectly. Care must also be taken not to violate the suspect's honor or rights until verification of misconduct has been completed.
  2. All matters related to an investigation shall be kept confidential and those involved directly or indirectly shall not unfairly disclose any information obtained during the investigation and the performance of their duties. However, if there is a need for reasonable disclosure, it may occur after resolution by the committee.
• Article 14 (Appeal)
  1. In the event that it is difficult to expect fairness from a committee member, the informer or the respondent may file an appeal by clarifying the reason. Members whose appeals are accepted for review cannot participate in the appeal investigation.
  2. Any person who has a direct interest in the investigation concerned shall not be involved in the deliberation, resolution and investigation of the matter.
• Article 15 (Objectivity and Fairness)
  The Commission shall provide sufficient opportunities for appeal and clarification to the respondent reported for violation of research ethics.
• Article 16 (Judgment)
  1. The Commission finalizes the investigation based on objections and the evidence of those summoned to testify.
  2. Judgment of research misconduct shall be decided by a two-thirds majority of attending committee members. A majority of committee members must be present.

Chapter 5 Follow-Up

• Article 17 (Follow-up)
  1. If there is a decision to confirm research misconduct, the following sanctions can be applied or passed on.
  

  • ① Sending a letter of caution when it is acknowledged as a simple mistake.
  • ② Sending a warning letter to prevent reoccurrence.
  • ③ Notify relevant publications of acts of plagiarism.
  • ④ Publisher's will post notice of all violations.
  • ⑤ Formal notification to other academic journals or index institutions.
  • ⑥ Terminating or suspending membership
  • ⑦ Other appropriate measures

  2. The notice in paragraph 3 of paragraph 1 shall include the name of the author, the name of the paper, the volume of manuscripts, the date of cancellation, and the reason for cancellation.
  3. The period of suspension or termination under paragraph 6 of paragraph 1 shall be determined by the Commission in accordance with the severity of the act.
  4. The Committee may terminate or suspend members of their membership in the cases of those who have intentionally or materially reported or disseminated false information in connection with the research ethics of this society.
• Article 18 (Notification of Results)
  The chairperson shall notify the people concerned (such as the informer and respondent) of the committee’s written decision regarding the investigation without delay.
• Article 19 (Reinvestigation)
  If the respondent or the informer disagrees with the decision of the committee, he/she may request in writing that the committee reinvestigate within 14 days from the date of receipt of the notice in Article 16.
• Article 20 (Follow-up Measures Such as Restoration of Reputation)
  If the investigation results in a finding that there has been no irregularity in the research, then the Committee shall endeavor to restore the reputation of the respondent under investigation and take appropriate follow-up measures.
• Article 21 (Storage and Disclosure of Investigation Records)
  1. Records related to the investigation should be kept for 5 years from the end of the investigation.
  2. The results after the judgment shall be reported to the Board of the Institute, and if the information is related to identity, such as the name of the informer, investigator, witness, reference person, or consultant that there might be a possibility of damage to any of these parties, then their names may be excluded upon passing of a resolution by the committee.
• Addendum
  This regulation shall be effective from December 27, 2018 with the approval of the KCCS Board of Directors.