Corrections and Retractions
The scholarly record must be accurate. When a published article is found to be unreliable or to contain errors, the journal acts promptly and openly, following the COPE Retraction Guidelines.
Corrections
- Correction (erratum or corrigendum). Published when an error does not invalidate the findings but affects how the article is understood, for example in author names, affiliations, figures, tables, or a data value. A correction notice is published and linked to the original article, and the article is amended with a note that it has been corrected.
- Minor corrections that do not affect the meaning, such as typographical errors, may be made to the article with a note recorded in the version history.
Expressions of concern
An expression of concern may be published when there is credible evidence of possible misconduct or serious error and an investigation is under way or is inconclusive, or when the authors' institution is unwilling or unable to investigate. The notice is linked to the article and replaced by a final notice, such as a retraction or correction, when the matter is settled.
Retractions
An article will be retracted when:
- there is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable because of misconduct (for example data fabrication or falsification) or honest error (for example a miscalculation or experimental error);
- the findings have been published before elsewhere without proper cross-referencing, permission, or justification (redundant publication);
- it constitutes plagiarism;
- it reports unethical research;
- authorship was seriously misrepresented, or a significant undisclosed conflict of interest influenced the work.
A retraction notice is published, is linked to the retracted article, and states who is retracting the article and why. It is clearly labelled, citable, and openly available. The original article remains available with a clear "Retracted" watermark so that the scholarly record is preserved, unless removal is legally required.
Withdrawal and removal
Articles are removed from public access only in exceptional circumstances, such as content that is defamatory, infringes legal rights, is the subject of a court order, or poses a serious health risk. A notice explains the removal and the bibliographic record is retained.
Reporting a problem
Authors, readers, and reviewers who believe a published article needs correction or retraction should write to editor@mandalariset.com. See also the Publication Ethics statement for how allegations are handled.
