Corrections and Retractions

Corrections (Errata)

Corrections are issued when a published article contains errors that do not alter the overall results, interpretations, or conclusions, but require clarification for the scholarly record.

Examples include:

  • Minor typographical errors
  • Author name spelling corrections
  • Incorrect figure or table labels

Process:

  1. Authors or readers notify the editorial office.
  2. Editors assess the error and publish a Correction Notice linked to the original article.
  3. The original article remains unchanged except for a footnote referencing the correction.

Retractions

Retractions are issued when a published article contains serious errors or ethical issues that invalidate its findings, such as:

  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Plagiarism
  • Duplicate publication
  • Ethical violations (e.g., lack of IRB approval, no informed consent)

Process:

  1. An investigation is initiated by the editors, possibly involving the authors’ institution.
  2. The authors are given an opportunity to respond.
  3. If retraction is warranted, a Retraction Notice is published, clearly stating the reasons and who initiated the retraction.
  4. The original article is marked “Retracted” but remains