Corrections, Retractions, and Post-Publication Updates

The International Journal of Research in STEM Education (IJRSE) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, transparency, and permanence of the scholarly record. When errors, omissions, ethical concerns, or other significant issues are identified after publication, the journal will take appropriate action to ensure that readers are provided with an accurate and transparent publication record.

IJRSE distinguishes between corrections, expressions of concern, retractions, and other post-publication updates according to the nature and severity of the issue. Where appropriate, the journal follows relevant guidance and principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Corrections

A correction may be issued when an error or omission is identified in a published article but the error does not invalidate the article's principal findings or conclusions.

Corrections may address significant errors involving data presentation, analysis, author information, figures, tables, references, methodological descriptions, acknowledgements, or other elements of the published record.

Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the meaning, interpretation, or scholarly integrity of an article may be corrected at the journal's editorial discretion.

Where a formal correction is required, the correction notice will clearly identify the original article, describe the nature of the correction, and be linked to the published article.

2. Author and Publisher Corrections

Errors introduced by authors and errors introduced during the journal's production process may require different forms of correction.

When an error originates from information supplied by the authors, the journal may publish an appropriate correction notice. When an error is introduced during copyediting, typesetting, metadata processing, or another production stage, the journal will correct the publication record as appropriate.

In either case, the objective is to maintain an accurate and transparent scholarly record rather than to assign unnecessary labels to minor production errors.

3. Expressions of Concern

IJRSE may issue an Expression of Concern when serious questions have been raised regarding a published article but the available evidence is insufficient to justify an immediate correction or retraction.

An Expression of Concern may be appropriate when:

  • an investigation into alleged research or publication misconduct is ongoing;

  • substantial concerns regarding the reliability or integrity of the article remain unresolved;

  • an institutional investigation has been initiated but its findings are not yet available; or

  • other circumstances create significant uncertainty concerning the reliability of the published record.

An Expression of Concern will be clearly identified and linked to the article concerned. It may subsequently be replaced or supplemented by a correction, retraction, or other appropriate editorial action when additional evidence becomes available.

4. Retractions

An article may be retracted when there is clear evidence that its findings, conclusions, or publication record are unreliable or seriously compromised.

Grounds for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

  • fabrication or falsification of data or research findings;

  • plagiarism or substantial inappropriate use of previously published material;

  • redundant or duplicate publication without appropriate disclosure;

  • serious methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the principal findings;

  • unethical research practices;

  • manipulation of the peer review or publication process;

  • unauthorized or improper use of data or materials;

  • serious authorship or ethical violations affecting the integrity of the article; or

  • other circumstances in which the article can no longer be regarded as a reliable part of the scholarly record.

Retraction may result from misconduct or from honest error. The purpose of retraction is to correct the scholarly record, not primarily to punish authors.

5. Retraction Notices and Article Preservation

When an article is retracted, IJRSE will publish a clearly identifiable Retraction Notice linked to the original article.

The notice should state the reason for the retraction and, where appropriate and legally permissible, indicate who initiated the retraction. Retraction notices will be freely accessible to readers.

The original article will ordinarily remain part of the scholarly record and will be clearly marked as retracted. Bibliographic information and links between the article and the retraction notice will be maintained to preserve transparency and citation history.

A retracted article will not ordinarily be deleted from the journal website.

6. Removal of Published Content

Removal of a published article is an exceptional measure and is distinct from retraction.

IJRSE may consider removing content only in extraordinary circumstances, such as when continued publication would create a serious legal risk, violate legal rights, disclose confidential or private information unlawfully, or present another substantial and unavoidable harm that cannot be adequately addressed through correction or retraction.

Where content must be removed, the journal will seek to retain appropriate bibliographic information and, where legally possible, a notice explaining why the content is no longer available.

7. Post-Publication Amendments and Version Integrity

IJRSE seeks to preserve the integrity and traceability of the published version of record.

Substantive changes to a published article will not be made silently. When a change affects the interpretation, accuracy, attribution, or integrity of the scholarly record, an appropriate notice will be provided and linked to the article.

The date and nature of significant post-publication amendments will be documented where appropriate so that readers can understand the publication history.

8. Assessment and Editorial Decision

Requests for corrections, concerns regarding published articles, and proposals for retraction will be assessed by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor.

The journal may request explanations, supporting documentation, original research materials, or other relevant information from authors or other parties. Independent expert advice may be sought where necessary.

When an issue involves potential research misconduct requiring institutional investigation, IJRSE may refer the matter to the relevant university, research institution, ethics body, funding organization, or other competent authority.

Editorial decisions concerning post-publication action will be based on the available evidence, the reliability of the published record, and the seriousness of the issue.

9. Author Notification and Opportunity to Respond

Authors will normally be informed of significant concerns relating to their published article and provided with an appropriate opportunity to respond before a substantive post-publication decision is made.

Author disagreement does not prevent IJRSE from issuing a correction, Expression of Concern, retraction, or other notice when the available evidence demonstrates that such action is necessary to protect the scholarly record.

10. Relationship to Research Misconduct Procedures

Where a post-publication concern involves suspected fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, manipulation, unethical research, or other potential misconduct, the matter will also be considered in accordance with IJRSE's Allegations of Misconduct policy.

Post-publication action and misconduct investigation serve related but distinct purposes. The primary purpose of a correction, Expression of Concern, or retraction is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the published scholarly record.

11. Commitment to the Scholarly Record

IJRSE considers the published literature to constitute a permanent scholarly record. Corrections, Expressions of Concern, retractions, and other post-publication updates will therefore be handled in a manner that promotes transparency, traceability, fairness, and preservation of the publication history.

The journal is committed to taking proportionate editorial action whenever credible evidence demonstrates that a published article requires clarification, correction, qualification, or retraction.