Correction and Retraction

This journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy, credibility, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly publication record. If errors or potential issues that may affect the reliability of a publication are identified after an article has been published, the journal will conduct an evaluation and determine appropriate actions based on the nature and severity of the issues. For manuscripts that have not yet been formally published as journal articles, the matter may be handled through the manuscript withdrawal procedure.

Corrections, retractions, and manuscript withdrawals serve different purposes and apply in different circumstances. Corrections are issued to address errors that do not undermine the validity of an article's principal findings or conclusions. Retractions are implemented when violations of academic integrity or fundamental errors render the article's data, research findings, or conclusions unreliable. Meanwhile, manuscript withdrawal applies to manuscripts that have not yet been formally published as journal articles.

Reports of suspected errors or misconduct may be submitted by authors, readers, peer reviewers, the Editorial Board, authors' affiliated institutions, or other parties possessing relevant information. Reports may be submitted through the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform or sent to the journal's official email address.

1. Types of Editorial Actions

1.1. Corrections (Erratum/Corrigendum)

A correction is issued when an error is identified in a published article, provided that the error does not affect the validity of the data, the appropriateness of the methodology, or the main conclusions of the research.

Corrections are classified into the following two categories:

Erratum: A correction addressing errors introduced during the journal's publication process, such as editorial, typesetting, layout, or printing errors.
Corrigendum: A correction addressing errors originating from the authors, such as mistakes in names, affiliations, numerical values in tables, units of measurement, or figure captions.

Correction notices will be published in accordance with the journal's publication procedures and linked bidirectionally to the original article. The online version of the article will also include a transparent record of the changes made, enabling readers to identify the sections that have been corrected.

1.2. Expression of Concern

An Expression of Concern may be issued when there are indications of serious issues relating to the accuracy or integrity of an article, but the available evidence is insufficient to justify a retraction, an investigation is still ongoing, or the relevant institution has not yet provided the necessary investigation findings.

The statement will be linked to the article concerned to inform readers of the status of the matter under review. Depending on the results of subsequent investigations, the statement may be followed by a correction or retraction, or it may be withdrawn if the underlying concerns are not substantiated.

1.3. Retraction

A retraction is implemented when an evaluation determines that a published article can no longer be considered scientifically reliable due to serious errors or violations of research ethics and integrity.

Retraction may be considered under the following circumstances:

Research data fabrication or falsification is identified.
Plagiarism or the use of another party's work or ideas without appropriate attribution is established.
The article constitutes duplicate or redundant publication without adequate disclosure and justification.
Fundamental errors in the data, methods, or analysis invalidate the research findings or principal conclusions.
Research ethics violations are identified, including failure to obtain ethical clearance or informed consent in studies involving human participants or experimental animals, where required.
Serious authorship issues or undisclosed conflicts of interest are identified that compromise publication integrity.
Manipulation of the peer-review process is detected.

Retraction decisions are made on the basis of investigation findings and relevant evidence, taking into account the severity of the misconduct and its implications for the reliability of the article and the integrity of the scholarly publication record.

2. Procedures for Handling Corrections and Retractions

The journal follows a structured procedure to ensure that every report is assessed objectively, fairly, and transparently.

2.1. Receipt of Reports

The Editorial Board will receive and register each report and acknowledge its receipt within a maximum of seven (7) working days from the date of receipt.

2.2. Preliminary Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief will conduct an initial assessment to evaluate the relevance of the report, the adequacy of the information provided, and the availability of preliminary evidence supporting the alleged error or misconduct. Where necessary, the reporter may be asked to provide additional information.

2.3. Request for Clarification and Further Investigation

The corresponding author will be requested to provide a written explanation and supporting evidence within a maximum of fourteen (14) working days from the date the request for clarification is issued.

To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the journal may involve peer reviewers, independent experts, or the institution with which the author is affiliated. The investigation will take into account statements from all relevant parties and the available evidence.

2.4. Decision-Making

Based on the evaluation findings, the Editorial Board will determine an action proportionate to the issues identified. The decision may involve issuing a correction, publishing an Expression of Concern, retracting the article, or taking no further action if the available evidence does not substantiate the reported concerns.

2.5. Publication of Decisions and Notification

Relevant editorial decisions will be announced transparently through the journal's publication channels. Notifications will also be sent to the relevant parties, including the authors and appropriate institutions, as well as indexing services where necessary.

3. Requirements for Retraction Notices

Retraction notices must be written clearly, objectively, and informatively so that readers can understand the reasons for and implications of an article's retraction. Each notice must meet the following requirements:

Be openly accessible without access restrictions and linked to the retracted article.
Include the article title, author names, and identifying information for the original publication, including the DOI where available.
Identify the party initiating the retraction, whether the authors, the journal, or another relevant party.
Explain the reasons for retraction factually and proportionately, avoiding unsupported or accusatory statements.
Be published as promptly as possible after the decision is finalized to minimize the risk of continued use or citation of an article that has been deemed unreliable.

Retracted articles will remain in the journal's archive to preserve the traceability of the scholarly publication record. Such articles will not ordinarily be removed but will be clearly marked with the label "RETRACTED" on every page of the PDF file and on the article's page in OJS. This approach allows readers to access the bibliographic information while clearly identifying the article's retracted status.

Complete removal of an article may be considered only under exceptional circumstances, such as when its content creates serious legal concerns, violates legally protected rights, or poses a genuine risk to public health or safety. Any such decision must take applicable legal requirements and the principles of scholarly publication record integrity into account.

4. Authors' Rights and Responsibilities

Under this correction and retraction policy, authors have the following rights and responsibilities:

Authors are required to notify the journal promptly if they identify errors or inaccuracies in their published articles that may affect readers' understanding.
Authors have the right to provide clarification, submit supporting evidence, and raise objections to allegations or editorial decisions in accordance with the applicable procedures before a final decision is made.
Authors may request the retraction of their own articles by submitting a written explanation and relevant supporting information.
If serious misconduct is established through a fair and adequate investigation, the journal may impose measures in accordance with its applicable publication ethics policies. These measures may include temporarily restricting the submission of manuscripts by the authors concerned and notifying their affiliated institutions where necessary.

Any decision affecting authors must be based on evidence and proportionate consideration, while ensuring that the parties concerned are given an opportunity to provide explanations.

5. Confidentiality and Fees

All procedures involving reports, requests for clarification, and editorial evaluations will be conducted professionally, with due regard for the confidentiality of information that is not yet appropriate for public disclosure. The identities of reporters will be protected to the extent possible, taking into account investigative requirements, applicable legal obligations, and the principles of fairness to all parties concerned.

The journal does not charge any fees for the publication of corrections, Expressions of Concern, or retractions. This policy ensures that editorial decisions are based on academic considerations, available evidence, and the principles of scholarly publication integrity rather than financial considerations.