Post-Publication Discussion
Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections
Food Scientia encourages constructive scholarly discussion and critical evaluation of research published in the journal. Post-publication discussions allow authors, readers, and researchers to clarify findings, address scientific questions, identify potential errors, and contribute to the advancement of food science and technology.
Food Scientia follows relevant publication ethics principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding post-publication discussions and corrections. The journal is committed to handling comments, concerns, and correction requests fairly, objectively, and transparently to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
- Post-Publication Discussions
Readers, researchers, and other interested parties may submit scholarly comments, questions, critiques, or letters to the editor concerning articles published in Food Scientia. Discussions may address research methodology, data interpretation, scientific findings, conclusions, or other issues relevant to the published work.
Submissions must be scientifically relevant, evidence-based, clearly written, and respectful. Personal attacks, unsupported allegations, defamatory statements, promotional content, and comments unrelated to the scientific content of the article will not be considered for publication.
Submissions should identify the article concerned by its title and DOI or URL, describe the issue clearly, and provide supporting evidence or references where available. Comments may be submitted through the official contact channels provided on the Food Scientia website.
The Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor will assess each submission and determine whether further editorial assessment or independent peer review is necessary. Where appropriate, the original author(s) will be invited to respond. Accepted comments and author responses may be published as a Letter to the Editor or another appropriate scholarly communication format.
The publication of a comment does not automatically establish that the original article contains an error or that research misconduct has occurred.
- Authors' Responses
When a post-publication comment raises substantive questions about a published article, the original author(s) will normally be given an appropriate opportunity to respond.
Responses should address the issues raised clearly, factually, and scientifically. Where appropriate, the comment and the corresponding author response may be published together or linked to the original article to facilitate transparent scholarly discussion.
If the original author(s) do not respond, the journal may proceed with its assessment based on the available information. The absence of a response will not, by itself, be considered evidence of research misconduct.
- Handling Post-Publication Concerns
Food Scientia will assess concerns raised about published articles to determine whether further editorial action is necessary. Concerns may relate to data accuracy, research methodology, interpretation of findings, authorship, plagiarism, research ethics, conflicts of interest, or other issues that may affect the reliability or integrity of the publication.
Depending on the nature and seriousness of the concern, the journal may:
- Request clarification, supporting documentation, or original research data from the author(s).
- Invite the original author(s) to respond.
- Seek an independent expert assessment.
- Contact the authors' affiliated institutions or other relevant authorities when further investigation is necessary.
- Publish a correction or an Expression of Concern, as appropriate.
- Retract the article when the available evidence warrants retraction under the journal's Correction and Retraction Policy.
The journal will handle concerns fairly and confidentially, provide relevant parties with an appropriate opportunity to respond, and avoid premature conclusions. Editorial decisions will be based on the available evidence and the potential impact of the issue on the scholarly record.
- Corrections to Published Articles
Food Scientia recognizes that errors may be identified after publication. When an error or omission is reported, the editorial team will assess its nature, extent, and impact on the interpretation, reliability, or conclusions of the article.
A correction may be issued when an error can be addressed without invalidating the main findings or conclusions of the article. Examples may include errors in tables, figures, data presentation, author affiliations, acknowledgments, or other published information.
Correction requests may be submitted by authors, readers, or other interested parties through the journal's official contact channels. Requests should identify the affected article, describe the error, and provide supporting information where available.
The editorial team will evaluate the request and may seek clarification or supporting evidence before making a decision. A correction notice will identify the original article, describe the error and the corresponding amendment, and be publicly accessible and linked to the original publication.
Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the meaning or scientific interpretation of an article may not require a formal correction notice. Substantial errors that undermine the reliability of the findings will be assessed under the journal's Correction and Retraction Policy.
- Expression of Concern and Retraction
Food Scientia may publish an Expression of Concern when credible issues have been raised about the reliability or ethical integrity of a published article, but the available evidence is insufficient to reach a final decision. This may be appropriate while an editorial or institutional investigation is ongoing.
An Expression of Concern will identify the article concerned and explain the nature of the unresolved issue to the extent appropriate. It does not, by itself, establish that research misconduct has occurred.
Retraction may be considered when the available evidence demonstrates that an article's findings are unreliable, serious publication ethics violations have occurred, or other circumstances warrant retraction under the journal's policies.
Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and retractions will be handled in accordance with Food Scientia's Correction and Retraction Policy and relevant publication ethics guidance. Notices will be publicly accessible and linked to the affected article wherever possible.
- External Post-Publication Discussion Platforms
Food Scientia recognizes that scholarly discussion may also take place on external platforms, including PubPeer, which facilitates comments and discussion concerning published research.
Concerns raised on external platforms may be considered by the editorial team when they relate to an article published in Food Scientia and provide sufficient information for assessment. The journal may request supporting evidence or clarification and determine whether further editorial action is warranted.
Discussion on an external platform does not automatically constitute a formal editorial finding. Decisions regarding corrections, Expressions of Concern, or retractions will be made through the journal's editorial procedures and in accordance with applicable publication ethics principles.
- Contact and Related Policies
Authors, readers, and other interested parties may submit post-publication comments, correction requests, or concerns regarding published articles through the official contact channels provided on the Food Scientia website.
This policy should be read together with Food Scientia's Allegation of Research Misconduct, Conflict of Interest, and Correction and Retraction policies.
Food Scientia is committed to supporting constructive scientific dialogue, addressing substantiated concerns, and maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record.
