Corrections & Retractions

Correction or Retraction?

The appropriate editorial action depends on the evidence and circumstances — no single issue automatically results in either outcome.

1. When Corrections Are Needed

A correction may be appropriate when a published article contains an error that affects the accuracy, clarity, interpretation, or usability of the scholarly record but does not necessarily invalidate the entire article — for example, incorrect author information, minor factual errors, incorrect affiliations, typographical errors affecting meaning, incorrect figures or tables, or metadata errors. Not every typographical error requires a formal correction.

2. Minor and Major Corrections

Minor Corrections

Some small errors — formatting, typographical issues, metadata corrections, or other non-substantive presentation errors — may be corrected directly when they do not materially affect the scholarly record and are consistent with the journal’s publishing system. Not all minor errors are silently changed; a meaningful editorial record is preserved where appropriate.

Major Corrections

A formal correction notice may be appropriate when an error materially affects the article but the underlying research remains sufficiently reliable — for example, incorrect data presentation, a significant figure or table error, an important methodological clarification, or a material author or affiliation error. The decision depends on the evidence and circumstances rather than a rigid automatic threshold.

3. Retractions

Retraction may be appropriate when an article’s findings or underlying research record can no longer be considered reliable — for example, fabricated or falsified data, serious plagiarism, major methodological problems, unethical research, a serious undisclosed conflict that materially affects the publication, or duplicate publication in circumstances warranting retraction. No single issue automatically results in retraction; the decision depends on the facts and applicable policy.

Retraction Does Not Mean Erasure

When an article is retracted, the original publication normally remains identifiable while being clearly marked as retracted, with the retraction notice linked to the original article. PenScholar does not silently delete a retracted article unless a verified policy or legal requirement requires removal.

4. Expressions of Concern

An Expression of Concern may be used when a serious issue has been identified but the available information is not yet sufficient for a final editorial conclusion. An Expression of Concern does not, by itself, mean that misconduct has occurred.

5. Correction and Retraction Notices

A correction notice communicates the nature of the correction and is clearly linked to the affected article, with the original article linking back to it where technically possible. A retraction notice gives readers enough information to understand that the article has been retracted, without disclosing confidential information or making unsupported allegations.

6. Article Status

• Published

  The article is part of the scholarly record.

• Corrected

  A formal correction has been issued.

• Expression of Concern

  A significant concern has been raised and the matter remains under consideration.

• Retracted

  The article has been formally retracted.

7. Requesting a Correction or Reporting a Concern

Authors who identify a substantive error in a published article, and readers who have a credible concern about data, methods, figures, plagiarism, duplicate publication, research ethics, authorship, or another research integrity issue, can provide the article title, DOI, journal, a description of the issue, and any supporting evidence. Evidence-based reporting is encouraged; personal attacks, harassment, unsupported accusations, and bad-faith complaints are not an appropriate way to raise a concern.

Request a Correction   Report a Concern

8. Editorial Assessment

PenScholar may assess a reported concern and determine the appropriate editorial response — which may include requesting clarification, contacting authors, requesting supporting documentation, consulting appropriate experts, seeking institutional clarification, publishing a correction, publishing an Expression of Concern, or retracting the article. Serious matters may require communication with author institutions, research integrity offices, or funding bodies. No fixed investigation procedure or specific outcome is guaranteed.

9. Author and Reader Responsibilities

Authors Should

• Review published articles carefully
• Report significant errors promptly
• Cooperate with reasonable editorial inquiries
• Provide accurate supporting information
• Avoid concealing material errors

Readers Raising a Concern Should

• Provide specific information
• Distinguish evidence from speculation
• Identify the relevant article
• Provide supporting documentation where available
• Avoid public accusations before the matter is assessed

10. Preserving the Scholarly Record

Where appropriate and technically possible, original articles remain traceable, correction and retraction notices remain linked, article status remains visible, and DOI relationships remain stable. Significant editorial changes should not erase publication history.

Version of Record

The published version of record represents the authoritative scholarly publication. Where a correction or retraction occurs, its status is clearly connected to that record.

DOI and Scholarly Metadata

Correction and retraction relationships are reflected in article metadata — DOI, article URL, publication date, and update date — where technically possible.

11. Appeals and Complaints

Questions or disagreements concerning an editorial action may be handled through PenScholar’s complaints and appeals process.

Complaints & Appeals

Related PenScholar Policies

• Research Integrity
• Publication Ethics
• Complaints & Appeals
• Research Data & Data Sharing
• AI & Generative AI Policy
• Author Guidelines
• Privacy Policy