Corrections & Retractions Policy
The journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. When concerns arise about a published article, appropriate post-publication action will be taken to correct the literature and inform readers. Actions may include a Correction, Retraction, or Expression of Concern, depending on the nature and severity of the issue.
1) Core Principles
Post-publication actions are applied to:
- protect the reliability of the published record
- ensure transparency to readers and indexing/archiving services
- correct honest mistakes and address misconduct appropriately
- follow due process, confidentiality, and fairness during investigations
2) Types of Post-Publication Actions
A. Corrections (Erratum/Corrigendum)
A Correction may be issued for honest errors that do not invalidate the main findings or conclusions, such as:
- minor data or calculation errors with no material impact
- typographical errors that affect clarity
- incorrect author affiliation or contact details
- incomplete funding, acknowledgments, or disclosure statements
- formatting or production errors
A correction notice will:
- clearly describe what changed and why
- be labeled as a Correction and dated
- be permanently accessible and linked to the original article
B. Retractions
A Retraction may be issued when findings or conclusions are unreliable due to serious issues, including:
- plagiarism or substantial uncredited duplication
- fabricated, falsified, or manipulated data/results
- unethical research practice or missing ethics compliance when required
- major methodological/analytical errors invalidating conclusions
- authorship misconduct or undisclosed conflicts that materially affect integrity
- peer review manipulation or compromised editorial process
A retraction notice will:
- be clearly labeled as a Retraction and dated
- state the reason(s) in a transparent manner
- remain permanently available and linked to the article
- ensure the original article is clearly marked as retracted to prevent unintentional use/citation
Retraction does not automatically imply wrongdoing by all authors; responsibility will be stated only when supported by evidence.
C. Expressions of Concern
An Expression of Concern may be issued when:
- credible concerns exist but an investigation is ongoing
- evidence is inconclusive and additional verification is required
- readers must be alerted to potential reliability issues
When investigations conclude, an Expression of Concern may be replaced or followed by a Correction or Retraction, as appropriate.
3) Investigation and Decision Process
When concerns are reported, the journal may:
- request an explanation and documentation from the author(s)
- consult editors, reviewers, or independent experts
- request raw data, approvals, or supporting materials
- coordinate with relevant institutions when appropriate
Final decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief or designated editorial leadership based on documented evidence and journal standards.
4) Visibility and Indexing Integrity
All post-publication notices will be:
- clearly titled, dated, and permanently accessible
- linked directly to the original article
- published in a manner that supports transparency for readers and indexing/archiving services
5) Contact
For correction requests, integrity concerns, or misconduct reports, contact: president@grasp-society.com
