一、失當處理 Handling of Misconduct
1. 失當行為指損害研究誠信的行為，包括但不限於以下情形：
（1）資料偽造：指故意捏造虛假資料或歪曲研究結果，例如杜撰數據集。
（2）資料竄改：指操控研究資料以故意呈現虛假結果，包括修改圖像、研究材料、儀器或過程。例如裁剪圖像以改變語境，或選擇性地呈現部分數/據。
（3）抄襲包含未經授權使用或挪用他人作品，包括未適當引用而重複發表自己（或作者本人）作品，及未經恰當引用而挪用他人之想法、數據或文字。
2. 若經查證研究不當行為屬實且無合理解釋，本刊可採取以下一項或多項措施：
（1）拒絕刊登稿件：對仍在審查中的稿件，可予以拒絕刊登並將稿件退回作者。
（2）更正或撤稿：若論文已在線首發或正式發表，視不當情節與嚴重性，可發布更正通知並連結該論文，或予以撤稿。
（3）通知相關機構及/或其他期刊：可將研究失當行為通報相關當事人所屬機構及/或其他期刊。
3. 若您發現或懷疑來搞或已發表論文存在學術不端行為，包括但不限於重複發表、抄襲、數據造假、利益衝突未披露或其他任何形式的失當行為，請以電郵方式向學刊編輯部反映：
請在郵件中詳述您的疑慮，並提供相關文章信息、涉嫌失當行為的具體情況。
1. Misconduct refers to unacceptable practices that compromise the integrity of research. The following are considered forms of research misconduct:
(1) Data fabrication is defined as intentionally creating fake data or misrepresenting research results, such as making up data sets.
(2) Data falsification is defined as the manipulation of research data to intentionally provide a false representation, including altering images, research materials, equipment, or processes. Examples include cropping of images to change context and selectively presenting data.
(3) Plagiarism involves the unauthorized use or misappropriation of others’ work, including duplicate publication of one’s own work (or the authors’ own) without proper citation, and misappropriation of others’ ideas, data, or text without proper acknowledgement.
2. If research misconduct is established beyond reasonable doubt, the Journal may take one or more of the following actions:
(1) Rejection of manuscript: If a submitted manuscript is still under consideration, it may be rejected and returned to the author.
(2) Correction or retraction: If a paper has already been published online, a correction notice may be published and linked to the paper, or the paper may be retracted, depending on the nature and severity of the infraction.
(3) Notification of institution(s) and/or other journals: The relevant party’s institution(s) and/or other journals may be informed of the research misconduct.
3. If you discover or suspect any academic misconduct, including but not limited to duplicate publication, plagiarism, data fabrication, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or any other form of improper behavior, please report it to the journal editorial office using the contact information below: Contact email: comjournal@cuhk.edu.hk
Please provide a detailed description of your concerns in the email, including relevant article information, specific details of the suspected misconduct, and any supporting evidence.
二、投訴與申訴處理 Handling Complains and Appeals
1. 一般疑慮或投訴
（2）調查程序：調查將審查是否遵循正確程序，執行編輯及編輯部會檢視投稿歷程及作者、主編與審稿人之間的相關往來信件。
（3）個案解決時限：本刊將盡力迅速處理，通常於三個月內完成。但視問題複雜度、相關資訊是否充分及涉及多方或外部機構的情況，調查時間可能延長。
（1）本刊編委會對稿件是否適合發表擁有廣泛裁量權。儘管作者可能不認同編輯決定，但並非所有決定皆可提出申訴：
（2）未送外部審查即拒稿且附帶編委會拒稿意見的決定，將無法提出正式申訴。
（1）若讀者對已發表文章提出疑慮，主編將判斷是否須撤稿、發佈更正或其他通知，以維護學術紀錄之完整性與準確性。
（2）本刊保留採取必要更正行動的權利，如撤稿、發布更正通知等。
1. General concerns or complaints
(1) Anyone who has concerns or complaints about any aspect of the publication process in Communication and Society can submit them to the journal via email at comjournal@cuhk.edu.hk. The Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor will lead the investigation.
(2) Investigation process: The investigation will examine whether the correct procedures were followed, and the Executive Editor and editorial team will review the submission history and relevant correspondence between the author, Editor, and reviewers.
(3) Timeline for resolution: We aim to resolve issues as quickly as possible, typically within three months. However, the investigation may take longer depending on the complexity of the issue, the availability of relevant information, and the involvement of multiple parties or external institutions.
2. Appealing the editorial decision: The Editorial Board have broad discretion in determining whether a submission is suitable for publication. While authors may disagree with an editorial decision, not all decisions are eligible for appeal:
(1) Decisions to reject a submission without external review, accompanied by Editorial Board’s rejection comments, are not eligible for formal appeal.
(2) If an author believes that the decision to reject their submission was not in accordance with the Journal’s policies and procedures, they may appeal the decision to Editorial Office via the email at comjournal@cuhk.edu.hk. To appeal, authors must provide a detailed, point-by-point response to the reviewer and editor comments. The Editor-in-Chief will review the peer review process to determine whether it was conducted in accordance with the Journal’s editorial criteria. If the decision is deemed to be in line with these criteria, the Editor's decision to reject is final.
3. Appealing corrective action taken post publication
(1) If concerns are raised on a published article by readers, the Editor will determine whether a published article needs to be retracted or that other corrective action or notification needs to be made to the published article.
(2) The journal reserves the right to take corrective action as necessary to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the academic record. This may involve retracting the article, issuing a correction, or providing other notifications.
(3) If new evidence comes to light that impacts the underlying decision, authors may appeal the corrective action taken. Appeals must be submitted before the specified deadline for comment. Appeals will be considered by the journal editors, journal Editorial Board and/or external scientific advisors. The decision on retraction and expression of concern appeals is final and not subject to further appeal.
三、出版後處理失當行為 Handling Misconduct after Publication
1. 稿件內容更正
（1）若本刊發現已發表文章有誤且影響文章的準確性或完整性，但不影響文章的主要發現或結論時，本刊將發布更正通知。例子包括輕微數據錯誤、經查證的作者身分爭議導致之作者變更，或利益衝突披露。
（2）更正程序
若作者或讀者發現已出版的文章有誤應通知本刊主編及編輯部，主編將評估是發佈更正通知即可，或需採取更嚴重措施（如關注聲明或撤稿）。更正通知將發佈於本刊官網且公開免費，並清楚說明修正內容及指出修訂後之文章版本。
2. 撤稿
（1）撤稿為糾正文獻、提醒讀者該篇出版內容存在嚴重錯誤或瑕疵，導致研究結果或結論不可靠的機制。撤稿非懲罰手段，而旨在維護學術誠信。
（2）經過審慎考量後，如有明確證據顯示，編輯應撤回該篇文章：
（a）研究結果因嚴重錯誤、數據偽造、竄改或操控而不可靠。
（b）存在不當行為，如違反倫理的研究、不當操控審稿程序、未揭露利益衝突、抄襲、侵權或法律問題。
（c）出版內容重複（未經適當標註來源或授權）。
（d）作者身份無法驗證或存在重大責任問題。
（3）撤稿程序：撤稿前應通知所有作者並明確說明理由。如由第三方或相關機構提出疑慮，經適當授權可予以公開說明。撤稿決定由編輯獨立作出，不受作者同意與否或配合程度影響。
The integrity of the scholarly record is of utmost importance. Our journal is committed to promptly correcting the literature when errors or concerns arise.
1. Correction
(1) Corrections are issued when errors are identified that affect the accuracy or integrity of the published record but do not invalidate the main findings or conclusions of the article. Examples include minor data errors, authorship changes due to verified disputes, or conflicts of interest disclosures.
(2) Process of issuing corrections: Authors or readers who identify errors should notify the journal editor and editorial office. The editor assesses whether a correction suffices or if more serious action (expression of concern or retraction) is warranted. Corrections should be published in our official website and be freely accessible. The correction notice should clearly describe the nature of the change and identify the corrected version of the article.
2. Retractions of published content
(1) Retraction is a mechanism to correct the literature and alert readers to publications with seriously flawed or erroneous content or data such that findings and conclusions are unreliable. Retractions are not punitive but aim to preserve scholarly integrity.
(2) Editors should retract an article if, after careful consideration, there is clear evidence that:
(a) The findings are unreliable due to major errors, data fabrication, falsification, or manipulation.
(b) There is malpractice such as unethical research, compromised peer review, undisclosed conflicts of interest, plagiarism, copyright infringement, or legal issues.
(c) The publication is redundant (published elsewhere without proper attribution or permission).
(d) Authorship cannot be verified or significant accountability concerns exist.
(3) Process: Editors should notify all authors before retraction and clearly explain reasons. If concerns are raised by third parties or institutions, this may be disclosed with appropriate permissions. Decisions to retract rest with the editor, independent of author consent or cooperation.
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