Post Publication Discussions

Post Publication Discussions

Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Madani (JPMM) encourages constructive, evidence-based discussion of articles published in the journal. Post-publication discussion provides an opportunity for readers, researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties to raise scientific questions, clarify published findings, and offer additional perspectives on community service activities and their outcomes.

This process supports transparency, accountability, and the continuous improvement of scholarly communication. JPMM handles post-publication discussions fairly, objectively, and in accordance with recognized publication ethics principles, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Scope of Discussion

Post-publication discussions may address:

  • The methods, implementation, or evaluation of community service activities.
  • The accuracy and interpretation of reported results and outcomes.
  • The effectiveness, limitations, or sustainability of community service programs.
  • The validity of data, analyses, and conclusions, as well as the relevance of references.
  • Ethical considerations related to community engagement, participant consent, and data protection.
Note: A post-publication discussion must relate directly to an article published in JPMM and provide a substantive scholarly contribution. It must not be used to appeal editorial decisions on unpublished manuscripts, pursue personal disputes, or demand unnecessary citations.

Forms of Post-Publication Discussion

JPMM facilitates formal post-publication discussion through the following forms:

  • Letter to the Editor: A scholarly communication submitted by a reader, researcher, practitioner, or other interested party to comment on or discuss a previously published article.
  • Reply to the Letter to the Editor: A response submitted by the author or authors of the original article to address the issues raised in the Letter to the Editor.

*Letters and Replies are scholarly communications but are not classified as Research Articles or Review Articles.

Submission Process

A proposed Letter to the Editor should be submitted to the JPMM Editorial Office. The submission must include:

  • The title, DOI or URL, and publication details of the article concerned.
  • A clear and concise explanation of the issue being discussed, supported by relevant evidence and references.
  • The names, affiliations, and contact details of all authors.
  • A declaration of competing interests and relevant funding information.
  • Disclosure of substantive use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies, where applicable.

Editorial Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief will conduct an initial assessment to determine if the Letter addresses a substantive scholarly issue, provides appropriate evidence, and complies with ethical policies. The editor may seek independent external review for specialized or technical matters.

Opportunity for Author Reply

If a Letter is potentially suitable for publication, the original authors will normally be invited to submit a Reply within a reasonable period. The publication of a valid Letter does not depend on the original authors submitting a Reply.

Decisions & Actions

Following assessment, JPMM may accept the Letter, request revisions, decline publication, or initiate formal correction/retraction processes if the discussion identifies a significant error affecting the accuracy of the published article.

Additional Considerations

Concerns About Misconduct: A Letter must not be used as a substitute for formally reporting suspected research misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, manipulated data). Such concerns will be handled confidentially under the journal's research misconduct policy.

Publication and Linking: Accepted Letters and Replies will be published as separately identified and citable scholarly communications with their own DOIs, electronically linked to the original article where technically possible.