Post-Publication Discussion

Informatics Management, Engineering and Information System Journal (IMEISJ) recognizes that scholarly communication continues after an article has been published. Post-publication discussion provides an opportunity for researchers, readers, and authors to exchange scientific perspectives, clarify research findings, identify potential errors, and contribute to the continuous improvement of scholarly knowledge.

IMEISJ welcomes constructive, evidence-based, and respectful discussions concerning articles published in the journal. All post-publication communications are handled in accordance with the principles of academic integrity, editorial independence, transparency, fairness, and responsible scholarly communication.

1. Scope of Post-Publication Discussion

IMEISJ accepts scholarly comments, critical observations, corrections, and requests for clarification concerning articles previously published in the journal.

Post-publication discussions may address, but are not limited to:

  1. The validity, interpretation, or reproducibility of research findings.
  2. The appropriateness of research methods, analytical techniques, or statistical procedures.
  3. The interpretation of results, conclusions, and their implications.
  4. The accuracy of data, figures, tables, references, or other published information.
  5. The relationship between the published findings and relevant existing literature.
  6. Methodological limitations or alternative interpretations that may contribute to scientific understanding.
  7. Potential errors, ethical concerns, or other issues that may affect the reliability or integrity of a published article.

Submissions must be relevant to the journal’s focus and scope and must contribute meaningfully to scholarly discussion.

2. Submission of Post-Publication Comments

Readers and researchers who wish to comment on a published article may submit their comments to the editorial office through the journal’s official communication channels.

Submissions should include:

  • The title and DOI or URL of the article being discussed.
  • The name and institutional affiliation of the commenter, where applicable.
  • A clear explanation of the issue or scientific argument being raised.
  • Supporting references, data, or other evidence where relevant.
  • A statement identifying any relevant conflicts of interest.

Comments should be concise, scientifically grounded, respectful, and focused on the published research rather than on personal characteristics or motives of the authors.

The editorial office may request revisions or additional information when necessary to ensure that a submission meets the journal’s scholarly and ethical standards.

3. Editorial Assessment

All post-publication comments are subject to editorial assessment before publication or formal dissemination through the journal.

The editorial team evaluates submissions based on:

  1. Relevance to the article under discussion.
  2. Scientific merit and clarity of the arguments presented.
  3. Accuracy and adequacy of supporting evidence.
  4. Constructive contribution to scholarly understanding.
  5. Compliance with the journal’s publication ethics and communication standards.
  6. Disclosure of relevant conflicts of interest.

Where appropriate, the editor may seek advice from independent subject-matter experts or reviewers.

The editorial team retains the authority to accept, request revisions to, or decline a proposed discussion based on its scholarly relevance, evidentiary support, and compliance with journal policy.

4. Right of Reply for Original Authors

When a post-publication comment raises substantive questions or criticism regarding a published article, IMEISJ will ordinarily provide the original author or corresponding author with an opportunity to respond.

The original authors may clarify their methods, explain their interpretations, provide additional information, acknowledge limitations, or correct factual inaccuracies where appropriate.

Replies should address the scientific issues raised and maintain a professional and evidence-based tone.

The editorial team may review both the comment and the author’s response to ensure fairness, accuracy, and relevance before publication.

Providing an opportunity to respond does not guarantee publication of the response. All submissions remain subject to editorial assessment.

5. Publication of Comments and Responses

Accepted post-publication comments and corresponding author responses may be published in the journal as a comment, correspondence article, reply, or another appropriate scholarly format.

Where possible, published discussions will be linked to the original article through the journal website and relevant metadata to maintain the visibility and traceability of the scholarly exchange.

The journal will clearly identify the article being discussed and provide appropriate citation information, including the DOI where available.

Publication of a comment or response does not automatically imply that the journal endorses every argument presented. Responsibility for the scientific content of each contribution rests with its respective author or authors.

6. Handling of Potential Errors and Research Integrity Concerns

If a post-publication discussion identifies a potential factual error, methodological problem, ethical concern, or issue that may affect the reliability of a published article, the editorial team will assess the matter in accordance with the journal’s publication ethics policies.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the concern, the journal may:

  1. Request clarification or supporting documentation from the original authors.
  2. Seek an independent expert assessment.
  3. Publish a correction or corrigendum when an error requires formal amendment.
  4. Publish an expression of concern when significant questions remain unresolved and a public notice is warranted.
  5. Retract the article when the available evidence and circumstances justify retraction.
  6. Refer the matter to the authors’ affiliated institution or another competent body when formal investigation is necessary.

Corrective action will be proportionate to the evidence and the potential effect of the issue on the scholarly record.

The journal will document significant editorial decisions and communicate relevant outcomes to the parties involved where appropriate.

7. Ethical Standards for Post-Publication Discussion

All participants in post-publication discussions are expected to observe accepted standards of research integrity and professional conduct.

IMEISJ does not accept comments or responses that contain:

  • Personal attacks, harassment, threats, or discriminatory language.
  • Unsupported accusations of misconduct.
  • Deliberately misleading statements or fabricated evidence.
  • Infringing or unlawfully disclosed confidential information.
  • Promotional material unrelated to the scientific discussion.
  • Content that does not contribute meaningfully to scholarly understanding.

Allegations of research misconduct must be supported by relevant information and will be handled through the journal’s established procedures for research integrity concerns.

The editorial team may request revisions or decline submissions that do not meet these standards.

8. Conflicts of Interest and Transparency

Authors of post-publication comments and responses must disclose any financial, professional, personal, or institutional interests that could influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, their contributions.

Editors and reviewers involved in assessing post-publication submissions must also disclose relevant conflicts of interest and withdraw from handling a matter when necessary to preserve editorial independence.

The journal will manage such conflicts in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policy.

9. Editorial Independence and Fairness

IMEISJ is committed to evaluating post-publication discussions independently and without discrimination based on academic seniority, institutional affiliation, professional status, or the conclusions expressed.

The journal will apply consistent editorial standards to comments and responses, regardless of whether the discussion supports or challenges the original article.

All decisions will be based on scholarly relevance, evidentiary support, ethical compliance, and the need to preserve the integrity of the scientific record.

10. Policy Implementation

IMEISJ encourages constructive post-publication engagement as part of responsible scholarly communication.

The journal periodically reviews its procedures for handling comments, responses, corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions to ensure consistency with recognized publication ethics principles and applicable guidance.

Through this policy, IMEISJ seeks to promote open scientific discussion, strengthen the reliability of published research, and support the continuous development of knowledge in management information systems, software engineering, business information systems, business intelligence, and related fields.