- COPE aligned
- Transparent
- Fair process
Published articles sometimes require adjustment. Errors may be corrected, concerns may be flagged while investigations proceed, and articles may be retracted when their findings can no longer be relied upon.
Each step is documented with a public notice linked to the original article, so readers can always understand the current status of a publication.
Manuscript withdrawal
Authors are strongly discouraged from withdrawing manuscripts during active editorial processing.
- This includes initial review, peer review, copyediting, layout editing, and publication preparation
- Withdrawal without valid reasons may result in rejection of future submissions
- Requests must be submitted formally via the corresponding author's registered email with a clear explanation
Retraction policy
Editors may retract a published article if there is clear evidence that:
- Findings are unreliable due to major errors, fabrication, falsification, or manipulation
- The article contains plagiarism or substantial duplication
- The work was previously published elsewhere without proper acknowledgment
- Data, materials, or copyrighted content were used without authorization
- Ethical research standards were violated
- The peer-review process was manipulated or compromised
- Significant conflicts of interest were not disclosed
- Serious legal or ethical issues were identified after publication
Retraction notice
- Linked to the retracted article whenever possible
- Clearly identifies the retracted article
- Officially labeled as a retraction notice
- States the reasons transparently and objectively
- Published promptly and remains openly accessible
- Factual, professional, and free from defamatory language
Correction policy
Editors may publish corrections if:
- Minor errors appear in an otherwise reliable publication
- Errors affect clarity, interpretation, or citation information
- Author names, affiliations, or contributor information are inaccurate
- Additional clarification is required for the scholarly record
- Corrections are linked to the original article after verification
Expression of concern
Issued when:
- Evidence of research or publication misconduct is inconclusive
- An institutional investigation is ongoing
- Reliability concerns exist but there is insufficient evidence for retraction
- The notice remains part of the record until a final decision is reached
Ethical compliance
All procedures follow international publication ethics standards and are carried out transparently, fairly, and responsibly. Authors are informed of outcomes and given the opportunity to respond.