Corrections, retractions and expressions of concern

The version of record must stay reliable. When something in a published article turns out to be wrong, we correct it in the open, and we leave a trail. Articles are never silently edited, and never removed.

Which notice applies

Correction

For an error that affects part of an article but not its findings or conclusions — a wrong figure, a mislabelled axis, an author name, an affiliation, a funding statement, a citation error.

A correction notice is published as a separate, citable item with its own DOI, linked from the original article and linking back to it. Where the error is in the article file, a corrected version is issued and the correction notice records what changed and when.

Expression of concern

For a case where there is well-founded concern about an article but the position is not yet settled — an investigation is under way, or an institution has been asked to look at it and has not reported.

The notice states the nature of the concern and that it is unresolved. It is replaced by a correction, a retraction or a further notice once the position is clear.

Retraction

For an article whose main findings are unreliable or whose publication was improper. Grounds include:

• Data fabrication, falsification or manipulation.
• Errors, whether honest or not, that invalidate the findings.
• Plagiarism, or duplicate or redundant publication.
• Research carried out without required ethical approval or valid consent.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the interpretation.
• Compromised or manipulated peer review.
• Authorship that cannot be substantiated.

A retracted article is not deleted. It stays online, clearly watermarked as retracted on every page, with the retraction notice linked to it. The notice is free to read, carries its own DOI, names who is retracting the article and states the reason. Crossref is notified so the retraction propagates.

Retraction is not a judgement on the authors’ intent. Honest error and misconduct are both grounds for retraction, and where we know which it was, we say so.

Removal

Content is removed only in the rare case where leaving it available would be unlawful, would breach a court order, or would create a serious risk — for example where it identifies a patient without consent. A notice stays in place of the article, recording the metadata and the reason for removal.

How a case proceeds

• Concerns may be raised by anyone: readers, reviewers, editors, the authors themselves, or the publisher.
• The editor assesses the evidence and, where it has substance, puts it to the corresponding author for a response, normally within a stated period.
• The relevant COPE flowchart is followed.
• Where an investigation is needed, the authors’ institution or funder is asked to conduct it.
• The editor decides which notice to publish. That decision rests with the editor, not the publisher, and not the authors.
• Anyone who raised a concern in good faith is told the outcome.

Requesting a correction

Write to the editorial office of the journal that published the article, stating the article, the specific error and the evidence. Notices are normally published within 7 days, once you can support it.

Versions

Where an article file is replaced, the previous version remains identifiable through the notice. The DOI always resolves to the current version of record with its notices attached.