Article I (Objectives)

Members and associates of the Society of Theology and Thought shall endeavour at all times to maintain the highest ethical standards in the conduct of their research and publications. (c.f. Article VI, Regulations for Reviewing and Editing Manuscripts)

Article II (Definition of Terms)

1. (Forgery) Fabricating original research data, process and results;
2. (Falsification) Partially or substantially avoiding or deleting research and documentation which does not fit the desired research objectives;
3. (Plagiarism) Not giving proper attribution to another's research or writing; falsely claiming another's work as ones own;
4. (Submitting false credentials) Deliberately misrepresenting or attributing research or publications as one own work;
5. (Duplicate Publishing) Submitting a manuscript for publication which has already been published.

Article III (Scope)

The above violations cover the totality of the academic process, from the initial research plan to the final publication of the manuscript and apply not only to the writer but to those who may encourage or even order such behaviour.

Article IV (연구윤리위원회 구성)

1. The Ethics Committee (hereafter “the Committee”) is comprised three ex officio members and four appointees. One of the ex officio members become the Chairperson;
2. The ex officio members in the Editorial Co-ordinator who becomes the chairperson, the President and the General Manager. In addition, the President appoints four other members to the Committee;
3. The Chairperson holds the position for 2 years with a right of renewal for another 2 two year term;
4. The Chairperson, in consultation with the Committee, may appoint other professionals to the Committee.

Article V (Competency)

The deliberations and decisions of the Committee are governed by the Society's Academic Code of Ethics and the following principles:

• The protection of honesty and ethics govern the implementation of these regulations;
• Vigilance against unethical research;
• The Chairperson proposes modifications and adjustments according to circumstances.

Article VI (Meetings)

1. The Chairperson convenes and sets the agenda of the meeting;
2. A quorum is constituted by a simple majority of members:
3. Decisions are reached by majority;
4. Meetings are held behind closed doors.

Article VII (Rules of Operation)

It may be necessary to employ other means in order to put these articles into effect.

Article VIII (Investigating Ethical Violations)

1. An investigation must take place if there is either concrete evidence or serious doubts about the integrity of research;

2. If deemed necessary by the Committee a preliminary investigation may be enacted.

Article IX (Establishment of a Committee of Investigation)

1. When deemed necessary by the Ethics Committee, the Chairperson, in consultation with the Committee, will appoint a Committee of Investigation;
2. A committee of between three and seven appropriately qualified professionals will be appointed to the committee;
3. Conflicts of interest must be avoided in appointing people to the Investigation Committee;
4. The Committee must accept that informants and those under suspicion will be apprised of both the fact of the investigation and those involved in the investigation. Only in exceptional circumstances will the details not be disclosed to either party.

Article X (The Investigation Process)

1. Informants, witnesses and those under investigation may request all relevant documentation including a record of attendance at the Investigation Committee;
2. Unless there are serious mitigating circumstances related to the Informant, X.① may not be abrogated. The Investigation Committee may call a halt to the investigation if there is a lack of evidence;
3. The Investigation Committee will make public (as per X.①) its determination of a breech of ethics unless there are serious mitigating circumstances affecting the guilty party. iii. The Investigation Committee will make public (as per X.①) its determination of a breech of ethics unless there are serious mitigating circumstances affecting the guilty party.

Article XI (Transparency and Confidentiality)

1. The Committee must draw a balance between compelling evidence and the right to silence;
2. The tip-off, investigation, deliberation and decision as well all other related matters including personal details will remain confidential unless the Committee decides there is a public-interest in disclosing these matters.

Article XII (Report)

1. Taking note of Articles X and XI, the Committee shall compile and present a Report of their investigation;
2. The Report will include the following documentation:
   • the substance of the Compliant;
   • A copy of the published manuscript and related materials;
   • Substantiation, or otherwise, of the allegation;
   • Related evidence;
   • Witness statements and formal objections, including a summary of the defence;
   • Register of the Committee;
3. The Final Decision and Report of the Committee (required in Article XII.②) must be made by a quorum of two thirds or more of the Committee in attendance and with a consensus of two thirds or more of those in attendance. It is the duty of the President to notify, without delay, the defendant that the Committee has reached a decision.

Article XIII (Actions to be taken)

The Committee must advise the President on the relevant published material and recommend what disciplinary actions need to be taken including:

1. Disclosure of the person guilty of unethical research following the provisions of Article XII.③;
2. Whether they have discovered through the investigation whether a particular individual, or others unidentified, was guilty of a deliberate breech of research ethics.

Article XIV (Disciplinary Process)

The President will, having taken advice from the Investigation Committee, enact the following disciplinary procedures:

1. Where Article XIII.①,② applies, that person will be banned for an established period of time from publication in the journal;
2. Following discovery after publication, the journal will, in a timely manner, publish notification of the offence and, in addition, the offending material will be immediately removed from the Society's home page;
3. Other related institutions will be immediately notified.

Article I (Amendment and enforcement date)

These provisions were amended on 26 April 2008.

These provisions were amended on 18 April 2009.

These provisions were amended on 17 April 2010.

These provisions were amended on 8 October 2011.

Article II (Mutatis mutandis)

Due process will apply where these regualtions are not clearly applicable.