Corrections, Retractions and Withdrawal

Withdrawal before publication

The corresponding author may request withdrawal by writing to the editorial office, explaining the reason and confirming that all authors agree. The journal may withdraw a submission when authorship or provenance cannot be verified, the work is simultaneously submitted elsewhere, or a serious ethical or legal issue prevents further consideration.

Correction and retraction

A correction is used when an error affects part of an article but does not invalidate its main findings. Retraction may be considered when findings are unreliable, evidence was fabricated, material was obtained or exported unlawfully, required permission was absent, or publication creates a serious ethical or legal breach.

The journal will examine the evidence and give affected authors an opportunity to respond. A retraction notice will identify the article and explain the reason; the marked article will normally remain available to preserve the record.