Retraction Policy

The journal may retract a published article when the integrity, reliability, or ethical standing of the work is seriously compromised. Retraction is a mechanism to correct the scholarly record and inform readers, not a punitive measure.
Correction of the Record Transparency Due Process
Quick Guide
What a Retraction Means
A formal notice linked to the article explaining why the findings should not be relied upon (in whole or in substantial part).
Who Can Raise Concerns
Readers, reviewers, editors, authors, institutions, funders, or third parties may report concerns, with supporting evidence where possible.
Possible Editorial Outcomes
No action, correction (erratum/corrigendum), expression of concern, retraction, or withdrawal (pre-publication), depending on the evidence.
Key Definitions
Correction
A notice to correct limited, non-fatal errors that do not invalidate the main findings (e.g., minor data presentation errors, author details, or clarifications).
Expression of Concern
A notice issued when there are credible concerns but an investigation is ongoing or the evidence is inconclusive, and readers should interpret the article cautiously.
Retraction
A notice indicating that the article’s results and/or conclusions are substantially unreliable, ethically compromised, or legally problematic, and should not be relied upon as part of the scholarly record.
Grounds for Retraction
An article may be considered for retraction when one or more of the following conditions apply (non-exhaustive):
Unreliable Findings
  • Clear evidence of unreliable results due to misconduct (e.g., fabrication, falsification, inappropriate manipulation of images or data).
  • Major honest error that materially affects the main results or conclusions (e.g., miscalculation, contaminated samples, critical analytical error).
Publication Integrity
  • Redundant or duplicate publication without appropriate citation, permission, or justification.
  • Plagiarism or substantial unattributed overlap, including inappropriate reuse of text, ideas, figures, or tables.
  • Manipulation of the peer-review process or other forms of systematic publication misconduct.
Ethics and Legal Compliance
  • Unethical research (e.g., lack of required ethics approval/consent, privacy violations, or unacceptable risk to participants/animals).
  • Severe undisclosed conflicts of interest that call into question the credibility of the work.
  • Legal issues such as copyright infringement or defamation, where retraction is necessary to protect readers and the record.
Note: Minor errors that do not affect the validity of the findings will generally be addressed through a correction rather than retraction.
Retraction Procedure
1) Receipt and Triage
Concerns are acknowledged and logged. The editorial office conducts an initial assessment of the allegation and supporting evidence, and may request additional information.
2) Investigation and Consultation
The journal may consult independent experts, request raw data or documentation, and communicate with authors and, where appropriate, institutions or funders. Some cases require formal institutional investigation.
3) Editorial Decision
Decisions are based on the weight of evidence and the impact on the validity of the work. The journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, or take no action if concerns are not substantiated.
4) Publication of Notice
The retraction notice is published promptly, linked to the article, and made freely accessible. The article remains part of the scholarly record but is clearly labelled to alert readers.
The journal aligns its practice with the Retraction Guidelines issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Access the guideline document here:
Retraction Notice and Article Status
What the Notice Includes
  • Clear identification of the retracted article (title, authors, citation details).
  • The reason(s) for retraction stated as transparently as legally possible.
  • Who is retracting the article (editor(s), publisher, and/or authors).
  • Date of the notice and links to the original article record.
How the Article Is Displayed
  • The article landing page is clearly labelled as Retracted.
  • The PDF/HTML may be marked to indicate retracted status, while preserving the historical record.
  • Metadata are updated and the retraction notice is linked bidirectionally to the article.
Indexing and discovery services: Where feasible, the journal will transmit updated metadata so that databases and repositories reflect the retracted status.
Author Communication, Confidentiality, and Appeals
Communication with Authors
Authors are normally informed of concerns and given an opportunity to respond. In limited circumstances (e.g., legal constraints, risk of evidence destruction, or active institutional investigation), the journal may delay detailed disclosure.
Confidentiality
The journal handles allegations discreetly and shares information on a need-to-know basis, while maintaining transparency to readers through published notices when editorial action is warranted.
Appeals
Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a reasoned, evidence-based request. Appeals are assessed by the Editor-in-Chief and/or an independent ethics panel where appropriate. The journal’s decision after appeal is final.
Reporting Concerns and Contact
If you wish to report a potential issue in a published article, please provide (i) the article title and URL, (ii) a concise description of the concern, and (iii) any supporting evidence or documentation. Anonymous reports are considered, but detailed evidence is strongly recommended to enable assessment.
Email (Editorial Office)
WhatsApp (Administrative Support)
Policy maintenance: The journal periodically reviews and updates this policy to reflect evolving best practices in publication ethics.