Post-Publication and Accountability
- Correction Policy
- Retraction Policy
- Article Replacement Policy
- Expressions of Concern
- Article Withdrawal Policy
- Post-Publication Discussions
- Handling Complaints and Appeals
1. Correction Policy
Errors affecting the scientific integrity or publication record are corrected via formal notices:
- Erratum: Issued for errors made by the author.
- Corrigendum: Issued for errors made by the publisher.
Corrections are linked to the original article and published online as well as in subsequent issues. Minor errors (e.g., typos) that do not impact the scientific record may not warrant formal corrections.
2. Retraction Policy
Retractions are issued for cases involving invalid results or ethical violations, such as plagiarism. A retraction note, signed by the authors and/or the editor, is linked to the original article. The retracted article remains accessible but is clearly marked with a watermark indicating its retraction.
3. Article Replacement Policy
In cases where an article poses serious health risks or contains significant flaws, it may be replaced with a corrected version. The original article is retracted, and standard retraction procedures are followed. The corrected article is then linked to the original.
4. Expressions of Concern
Significant errors in an article should be reported to the Editor-in-Chief via email. Readers may submit a formal letter, and authors of the original article will be invited to respond. Both the concern and the response may be published in the journal. Relevant Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines will be applied.
5. Article Withdrawal Policy
Articles in press that contain errors, duplicate submissions, or ethical violations may be withdrawn. Withdrawn articles are removed from online platforms and clearly marked to indicate their withdrawal.
6. Post-Publication Discussions
Authors and readers are encouraged to engage in post-publication discussions. These can be facilitated through letters to the Editor or direct communication with the author via email.
7. Handling Complaints and Appeals
Complaints and appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief. All such cases will be handled in accordance with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.
