Correction and Retraction
Policy Statement
The journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. Although manuscripts undergo editorial assessment and peer review before publication, errors or ethical concerns may occasionally be identified after publication. In such cases, the journal may issue a correction, retraction, removal, or replacement of an article, depending on the nature and severity of the issue.
All post-publication actions are handled carefully, fairly, and transparently, taking into account recognized publication ethics standards, including the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Article Correction
A correction may be issued when an error is identified in a published article but the overall validity and reliability of its findings remain substantially intact. Corrections may address factual inaccuracies, production errors, author information, affiliations, acknowledgments, or other issues that could affect the clarity or accuracy of the published record.
Depending on the nature of the error, the journal may publish:
- Publisher Correction: For significant errors introduced during the production or publication process.
- Author Correction: For significant errors originating from the author(s) that require correction but do not invalidate the main findings.
- Addendum: For additional information or clarification that complements the published article without changing its principal conclusions.
The editor assesses the proposed correction and may consult the authors, reviewers, or Editorial Board when necessary. Published corrections will clearly identify the affected article and describe the changes made. Where technically possible, the correction notice will be linked to the original article.
Article Retraction
Retraction may be necessary when the reliability, validity, or ethical standing of a published article is seriously compromised. Grounds for retraction may include, but are not limited to:
- Evidence of unreliable findings resulting from data fabrication, falsification, serious methodological errors, or other research misconduct.
- Plagiarism, substantial undisclosed duplicate publication, or other serious publication ethics violations.
- Serious breaches of research ethics, authorship integrity, or publication procedures.
- Other circumstances in which retraction is necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.
When potential grounds for retraction are identified, the editor conducts an initial assessment and gives the author(s) an opportunity to respond. Where appropriate, the journal may consult independent experts, the Editorial Board, an ethics committee, or the relevant institution. The editor makes the final decision based on the available evidence and applicable publication ethics standards.
A retraction notice will be published and linked to the original article. It will identify the affected article and explain the reason for retraction as clearly as possible. The original article will remain accessible where feasible, clearly marked as retracted, to preserve the transparency and traceability of the scholarly record.
Article Removal and Replacement
In exceptional circumstances, the journal may remove an article from public access, for example, where required by law or a court order, where publication infringes legal rights, or where continued access presents a serious risk of harm. Where removal is necessary, the journal will retain the article’s metadata and provide a notice explaining the reason, to the extent legally permissible.
Article replacement may be considered in exceptional cases where a published article contains serious errors that could lead to harmful conclusions or actions. Any replacement must be accompanied by a transparent notice documenting the change and linking to the relevant publication record. Replacement will not be used to conceal a retraction or obscure the article’s publication history.
Transparency and Editorial Responsibility
Decisions concerning corrections, retractions, removals, and replacements are made by the editor based on the evidence available and the seriousness of the issue. Authors may be asked to provide explanations or supporting documentation, and relevant parties may be consulted where necessary.
The journal aims to resolve post-publication concerns promptly and impartially while respecting confidentiality and the rights of all parties involved. All actions will be documented appropriately to preserve the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record.
