Maintaining an accurate record

Authors and readers should notify the Editorial Office of errors or reliability concerns, providing the article citation and specific evidence. The editor determines the action needed after reviewing the issue and obtaining appropriate explanations or expert advice. The policy is informed by the current COPE Retraction Guidelines.

Corrections

A correction is appropriate when an identifiable error can be addressed and the central findings remain reliable. A notice should explain the error and its effect, identify the corrected information and link to the article. Changes affecting interpretation, attribution or essential metadata must not be made through an unmarked replacement. Authors should explain how an error arose and whether other parts of the work are affected.

Expressions of concern and retractions

An expression of concern may alert readers to a substantial unresolved question when the evidence is incomplete or an assessment is ongoing. A retraction is appropriate when serious error, unreliable data, unethical research, substantial plagiarism or manipulation of publication makes continued reliance on the article unjustified. The purpose is to protect the literature and its users.

Notices should be clearly labeled, freely accessible and linked to the affected article. They should identify the article, state the reason and who is issuing the notice, and describe the authors’ agreement or disagreement when relevant. A retracted article normally remains available with its status clearly marked so that the history is visible.

Process and exceptional removal

Authors are normally given an opportunity to respond, but a necessary notice is not conditional on unanimous agreement. An editor with a conflict must not control the decision. The journal may seek institutional findings while independently considering what readers need to know.

Removal of content is exceptional and may be necessary for serious privacy, legal or safety reasons. Where possible, the bibliographic record and an explanatory notice will remain. A change in author preference or reputational concern alone is not a reason to erase a published article. Appeals concerning the handling of a notice follow Complaints & Appeals.