Retraction and Correction

Retraction Policy

A published article may be retracted if it is determined that:

•    The data or findings are significantly unreliable due to errors, miscalculations, or experimental flaws.
•    Ethical violations have occurred, such as data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.
•    There is evidence of undeclared conflicts of interest or unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
•    The research breaches ethical standards involving human or animal subjects.

Retractions are issued to alert readers to major issues while preserving the integrity of the scientific record. Retraction notices will clearly state:

•    The title and authors of the retracted article.
•    The reason(s) for the retraction, including any supporting evidence.
•    A statement clarifying whether the error was unintentional or due to misconduct.

Retraction notices will remain permanently linked to the original article's DOI and will be freely accessible to readers. The original article will not be removed but will be clearly marked as retracted.

Correction Policy

In cases where the article’s findings remain reliable, but minor errors or inaccuracies are identified, a correction will be issued instead of a retraction. Examples include:

•    Typographical errors or formatting mistakes that do not affect the interpretation of data.
•    Errors in author affiliations or funding acknowledgments.
•    Inaccuracies in references or minor methodological descriptions.

Corrections will follow a thorough review by the editorial team to ensure they address the issue without compromising the article's validity. A correction notice will include:

•    A clear description of the error.
•    The corrected content.
•    A reference to the original article’s DOI.

Procedure for Retraction or Correction

The retraction or correction process may be initiated by authors, readers, or the editorial team. Requests must be submitted to the editorial office with supporting evidence of the issue. Each case will be carefully reviewed by the editor-in-chief and, where necessary, external experts to ensure an impartial decision.

It is imperative to emphasise that, in all circumstances, the Editor is obligated to adhere to the guidelines stipulated by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) with regard to retraction and correction. This commitment ensures that any decision pertaining to such matters is made with utmost transparency and in strict accordance with the most efficacious practices.

COPE Council. COPE Guidelines: Retraction Guidelines. November 2019. 
https://doi.org/10.24318/cope.2019.1.4

Last Revised on January, 2025