Purpose
Corrections and retractions help preserve the accuracy and reliability of the scholarly record. The appropriate action depends on the nature and significance of the problem, not solely on whether an error was intentional.
Corrections
A correction may be appropriate when a published article contains a substantive error that can be corrected without undermining the main findings. The notice should identify the affected article, explain what has changed, and be linked to the original publication when technically possible.
Retractions
Retraction may be warranted where there is reliable evidence that central findings cannot be trusted, serious plagiarism or redundant publication, unethical research, substantial rights violations, or manipulation of the publication process. Decisions should be based on the available evidence and an appropriate assessment of the circumstances.
Notices and Transparency
Retraction notices should identify the article and clearly state the reason, the party issuing the notice, and the article's status. Notices should remain accessible and linked to the article where feasible. Retraction ordinarily signals that the findings should not be relied on; it does not automatically mean an article is physically removed from the archive.
Author Communication
The editorial office should seek relevant information and offer affected authors an opportunity to respond before reaching a conclusion, except where legal or other urgent circumstances require different handling.
