Corrections, Retractions & Expressions of Concern
The International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health (IJMSPH) is committed to preserving the accuracy, integrity, and ethical standards of the research it publishes. Recognizing that post-publication issues may arise, IJMSPH has established the following policy to address errors, omissions, or ethical concerns with transparency and rigor.
1. Post-Publication Issues and Investigation
Concerns regarding published or submitted manuscripts may be raised by authors, readers, or editors.
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IJMSPH conducts thorough investigations into such concerns, consulting authors and, when necessary, external experts.
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Authors are given the opportunity to provide explanations, clarifications, and, if requested, access to original data.
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The outcome of an investigation depends on the nature and severity of the issue.
2. Types of Corrections
2.1 Erratum
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Issued for significant errors that affect the publication record, scientific integrity, author reputation, or journal credibility.
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Includes typographical errors, errors in figures or tables, or omissions that materially impact interpretation.
2.2 Corrigendum
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Issued when authors identify a significant error in their work post-publication.
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Typically covers errors in author information, but not minor omissions like acknowledgments.
2.3 Addendum
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Published when additional, peer-reviewed information is added to clarify or enhance a published article.
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Addenda are issued only when the information is essential for readers’ understanding of key aspects of the research.
2.4 Editor’s Note or Expression of Concern
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Used when concerns about a published article arise but the investigation is ongoing.
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A follow-up notice communicates the outcome of the investigation.
2.5 Correction Notice
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Updates to published articles are clearly documented in a correction notice appended to the article.
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The date(s) of correction are noted, and previous versions are marked as outdated with a link to the corrected version.
3. Retraction Policy
IJMSPH follows COPE guidelines for retraction to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record. Articles may be retracted if:
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Findings are unreliable due to errors, miscalculations, experimental flaws, or data fabrication/falsification (including image manipulation).
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Text or data is plagiarized or previously published without proper attribution or permission.
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Unauthorized use of material or copyright infringement occurs.
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The article reports unethical research.
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Publication occurred through a compromised or manipulated peer-review process.
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Authors fail to disclose significant conflicts of interest that could affect interpretation.
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Legal or ethical issues, such as libel or privacy violations, are identified.
Retraction Process:
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IJMSPH collaborates with authors and editors to draft a retraction notice explaining the reasons.
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The retracted article’s PDF is watermarked as “Retracted” but remains accessible for transparency.
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A retraction notice is published in the next available issue and online if required.
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Content may be removed only for legal reasons, with metadata retained to maintain the scholarly record.
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Retractions are not issued solely due to authorship disputes if the findings remain reliable, corrections are possible, or conflicts of interest are unlikely to affect conclusions.
4. No Fees for Authors
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Authors are not charged for the publication of errata, corrigenda, addenda, or retraction notices.
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IJMSPH ensures that correction and retraction processes are accessible and do not impose financial barriers.
This policy reinforces IJMSPH’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and ethical responsibility, providing a fair and consistent framework for addressing errors or misconduct in published research.
