07.12.2021
STM Working Group on Image Alteration and Duplication Detection: Recommendations for handling image integrity issues (.pdf)
« These best-practice recommendations outline a structured approach to support editors and others applying image integrity screening as part of pre-publication quality control checks or post-publication investigation of image integrity issues at scholarly journals (and when applicable, these recommendations may also be relevant for books, preprint servers, or data repositories). It provides principles and a three-tier classification for different types of image aberrations commonly detected in image integrity screens of figures in research papers and for a consideration of impact on the scholarly study; it also recommends actions journal editors may take to protect the scholarly record. The guidance covers figures in research papers or preprints, including source data underlying these figures, where available. It does not include the reanalysis or forensic screening of raw data and large datasets (for example for statistical reporting. (…) »
