Correction and Retraction Policy

This journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. When errors or concerns are identified in a published article, the editorial team will assess the matter carefully and take appropriate action in accordance with publication ethics principles and recognized scholarly publishing practices.

1. Corrections

A correction may be issued when an error is identified in a published article and the error can be rectified without invalidating the overall findings or conclusions of the work. Examples include errors in author names, affiliations, metadata, tables, figures, or other published information that require clarification or amendment.

Requests for corrections may be submitted by authors, readers, or other relevant parties to the editorial office, accompanied by a clear explanation and supporting evidence where applicable. The editorial team will evaluate the request and determine whether a correction is warranted.

Approved corrections will be published or linked to the original article, as appropriate, to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the publication record.

2. Retractions

A retraction may be considered when there is reliable evidence that a published article is seriously flawed or its findings are unreliable, or when substantial publication ethics violations have occurred. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, fabrication or falsification of data, plagiarism, duplicate publication, serious methodological errors that invalidate the findings, or other forms of research or publication misconduct.

A retraction may also be considered when significant ethical or legal concerns undermine the validity or legitimacy of the publication. Each case will be assessed individually, based on the available evidence and the seriousness of the concerns.

The editorial team will conduct an initial assessment, seek clarification from the relevant authors where appropriate, and consult institutions, research ethics committees, funders, or other relevant authorities when necessary. Authors will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to concerns, subject to the circumstances of the case. A lack of response from an author will not, by itself, prevent the journal from taking appropriate action when the available evidence justifies it.

If a retraction is warranted, the journal will publish a retraction notice explaining the reason for the retraction as clearly as possible, subject to confidentiality and applicable legal requirements. The notice will be linked to the original article, and the original publication will generally remain accessible with a clear retraction statement to preserve the transparency of the scholarly record.

3. Editorial Responsibility and Transparency

Decisions regarding corrections and retractions will be made by the editorial team based on the available evidence, the nature and significance of the issue, and applicable publication ethics standards. The journal will seek to ensure that all cases are handled fairly, objectively, and consistently.

The journal will maintain appropriate records of reports, investigations, editorial decisions, and actions taken. Where necessary, the journal may publish an expression of concern or take other appropriate measures while an issue is being investigated.

Corrections and retractions are intended to protect the integrity of the scholarly record and should not be regarded solely as punitive measures against authors. The journal will take appropriate action regardless of an author's position, institutional affiliation, or seniority.