Publication retractabiliyty
PUBLICATION RETRACTABILITY
We are committed to adhering to the COPE principles, against all possible infringements. Particular attention is paid to checking papers for originality and avoiding instances of plagiarism.
Resubmission
Authors must submit manuscripts that are unique and must not have been submitted to any other journal (except in some unusual circumstances and only with the approval of the reviewer). Sometimes authors may ignore this requirement by submitting the same paper to multiple journals or by submitting multiple papers based on the same research. As with plagiarism, resubmission can take many forms: literal copying, partial but substantial copying, or even paraphrasing of the research. Violation of this policy will result in immediate rejection, along with possible sanctions against the authors.
Citation Manipulation
Submitted manuscripts that are found to contain citations that are primarily intended to increase the number of citations to a given author’s work or to an article published in a particular journal will be immediately rejected. Author sanctions may also be applied.
Falsification of data
If a submitted article is found to contain falsified or fabricated experimental data (including image manipulation), this will result in immediate rejection and possible sanctions against the authors.
In the event of suspected misconduct or fraud, the journal will conduct an investigation in accordance with the COPE guidelines. If, after the investigation, reasonable concerns are raised, the authors involved will be contacted via email and given an opportunity to resolve the issue. Depending on the situation, this may result in the journal taking the following actions, including but not limited to:
- If the manuscript is still under review, it may be rejected and returned to the author.
- If the article has already been published online, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.
Correction
A correction may be posted with the article if a fundamental error or mistake (e.g., experimental error or miscalculation) is identified.
Erratum
Erratum will be used if a significant error has been made by the editorial team during the preparation of a journal article, including errors of omission, such as failure to make corrections to factual evidence requested by authors within the deadlines set by the journal and within the framework of the journal’s policy. A significant error is one that affects the scientific record, the scientific integrity of the article, the reputation of the authors or the journal.
Corrigendum
Corrigendum is a notification of a significant error made by the authors of the article. All corrections are approved by the journal’s editorial team.
Correction procedure
- Corrections may be initiated by authors, editors or readers.
- The editorial team evaluates the request and, if necessary, consults with the authors.
- Once approved, corrections are published as a separate document linked to the original article, marked “Corrigendum”.
Retraction
In some cases, the editorial board may decide to retract the article.
- Reasons for potential retraction of the work (withdrawal):
- there is clear evidence that the results are not reliable, regardless of whether they are the result of improper actions (for example, fabricated data and image manipulation);
- the results of the study have been published previously elsewhere without proper references, license or justification (for example, in cases of redundant or duplicate publication);
- the study is plagiarized;
- there is evidence of fraudulent authorship;
- it is proven that the review process has been compromised;
- there is evidence of unethical research and violation of professional codes of ethics.
Requests for retraction can be submitted by authors, editors or third parties. The editorial board conducts an investigation with the involvement of the authors and, if necessary, external experts. The decision is made by the editor-in-chief of the journal or his deputy.
After the decision to retract the article:
- a watermark “Retraction” will be added to the published version of the article record;
- the title of the article will be called “Retraction: [Article Title]”;
- a separate retraction statement will be published under the title “Retraction: [Article Title]”.
The journal editors sign this message; the retraction statement will be numbered and will have a DOI identifier.
In some cases, authors of a scientific article subject to consideration by the journal may submit a request to retract their manuscript. The corresponding request can be made only before the publication of the article. To retract a manuscript, authors should contact the journal editorial office with a letter containing a clear and understandable explanation of the reasons for the retraction. The letter should be concise and signed by all authors of the article. The retracted manuscript will be completely removed from the publisher’s database, but the copyright remains with the authors of the article.
Additional provisions
Mass manipulation and “paper mills”
If it is established that an article is part of a group of publications compromised through paper mills or other systematic fraudulent practices, the editorial board may decide to retract the article as part of a package. The retraction statement must state that the article belongs to a group of works affected by similar violations.
Use of artificial intelligence
Hidden or undeclared use of artificial intelligence systems to generate text, images, or other data in a manuscript is considered a serious violation and may be grounds for retraction. Authors are required to transparently inform about the use of such tools. Concealment of such facts may be considered grounds for retraction. The editorial board reserves the right to check manuscripts for the use of generative artificial intelligence systems. For this purpose, automated detection tools, expert assessment of reviewers, and additional requests to authors may be used.
Authorship fraud and identity theft
Manuscripts may be retracted in cases of false authorship, use of someone else’s personal data (name, ORCID, etc.), as well as hidden or forced authorship.
Expression of Concern
In cases where there are serious suspicions about the authenticity of an article or a violation of academic integrity, but there is not sufficient evidence for an immediate retraction, the editorial board may publish an expression of concern. Such an expression has its own DOI, is linked to the original article, and contains a brief explanation of the reasons for publication. The expression of concern remains available until the editorial investigation is completed.
Speed of procedures
The decision to publish corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions is made by the editorial board and implemented as soon as possible after significant violations are identified. In cases where final agreement with the authors is not possible, the editorial board reserves the right to publish a statement without delay in order to preserve scientific integrity.
Availability of retracted articles
Retracted articles remain publicly available in the journal archives and databases with a clear indication of “Retraction”. Full withdrawal is possible only in exceptional cases when required by applicable legal regulations (in particular, protection of personal data, infringement of copyright, enforcement of court decisions, or security considerations).
