Assessment |
Assess the allegation on the merit of the concerns raised- what evidence is there, how does this impact the article? Are there competing interests? |
Due diligence |
Ensure appropriate due diligence at every step. |
Objective |
Make no assumptions- approach any investigation with an open mind. |
Care & attention |
Ensure that any allegation is taken seriously; any documentation or correspondence must be handled carefully. |
Timeliness |
Ensure actions are taken in a timely way, with clear expectations about deadlines, and a process to monitor those. |
Confidential |
Ensure any sensitive information during an investigation remains confidential and is not shared with any third parties (including complainants), as premature sharing of sensitive information can compromise the process. |
Professional tone |
Ensure all correspondence remains professional and respectful, even when being on the receiving end of unprofessional correspondence. |
Right of reply |
Where possible, ensure that individuals are given an appropriate amount of time to reply to any concerns. |
Anonymity |
Where complaints are made by people who do not wish to reveal their identity, efforts must be made to keep them anonymous.Similarly, anonymity for additional reviewers (which may even be after an article has been published) must be assured, unless they consented to be identified. |