Correction and Retraction Policy

Correction and Retraction Policy

  1. Introduction

The Indonesian Health Science Journal (IHSJ) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of scientific publications in the field of health sciences. Errors or ethical concerns identified after publication may affect the interpretation, reliability, or credibility of published research.

This policy provides a framework for addressing errors in published articles, considering retractions when serious concerns arise, and maintaining the accuracy of the scholarly record. Its implementation is subject to approval by the IHSJ Editorial Board.

  1. Article Correction Policy

A correction may be considered when an error is identified in a published article and the error can be addressed without invalidating the main findings or conclusions of the research.

Corrections may involve:

  1. Errors in author names, affiliations, or publication information.
  2. Typographical errors, numerical values, tables, figures, or captions that affect the understanding of the article.
  3. Errors in data presentation or other information that can be corrected without compromising the main conclusions.
  4. Other errors that the Editorial Board considers necessary to address to maintain publication accuracy.

Authors or readers may report potential errors to the Editorial Board with relevant information and supporting evidence. The Editorial Board should evaluate the nature and significance of the error before determining whether a correction is appropriate.

If a correction is approved and implemented, the journal should publish a correction notice describing the error and the changes made. Where technically possible, the notice should be linked to the original article, which should remain accessible with a clear record of the correction.

  1. Article Retraction Policy

Retraction may be considered when reliable evidence indicates that a published article contains serious errors or ethical violations that compromise the validity or integrity of the research.

Grounds for considering retraction may include:

  1. Fabrication or falsification of research data or findings.
  2. Plagiarism or substantial unattributed use of another person's work.
  3. Duplicate publication that seriously violates publication ethics.
  4. Serious violations of research ethics, including applicable requirements for studies involving human participants.
  5. Fundamental errors that make the main findings or conclusions unreliable.
  6. Serious manipulation of authorship, data, images, or the publication process.
  7. Other substantiated concerns that significantly undermine the reliability of the published article.

Retraction decisions should be based on an objective assessment of the available evidence. Disagreement with research findings or the existence of criticism alone does not constitute sufficient grounds for retraction.

  1. Procedures for Handling Corrections and Retractions

When a potential error or concern about a published article is reported, the Editorial Board may follow these steps:

  1. Receipt of a Report: Receive information from authors, readers, institutions, or other relevant parties, together with supporting evidence where available.
  2. Initial Assessment: Evaluate the nature of the concern, its potential impact, and whether further examination is warranted.
  3. Clarification: Request an explanation, relevant research data, or supporting documentation from the authors, where appropriate.
  4. Further Evaluation: Consult independent experts, research ethics committees, or the authors' affiliated institutions when necessary.
  5. Editorial Decision: Determine the appropriate response based on the evidence, the seriousness of the issue, and the journal's publication ethics principles.
  6. Publication of a Notice: Where a correction or retraction is approved and implemented, publish a notice explaining the action and its reasons.
  7. Record Updates: Update the journal website and relevant publication records where technically possible.

The Editorial Board should handle each case fairly and impartially, allow relevant parties an appropriate opportunity to respond, and manage any conflicts of interest during the decision-making process.

  1. Publication and Access to Corrected or Retracted Articles

When a correction or retraction is implemented, the journal should maintain a transparent record of the editorial action. A retracted article should not be silently removed from the journal archive unless removal is required by law or justified by exceptional circumstances.

Where technically possible, a retracted article should remain accessible with a clear retraction label and a link to the retraction notice. The notice should identify the article and explain the reasons for the action.

Publication metadata and digital identifiers should be updated when necessary and supported by the journal's publishing system and relevant services.

  1. Responsibilities of Authors and Editors

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their published work. They are encouraged to notify the Editorial Board if they discover significant errors and should cooperate with reasonable requests for clarification or supporting documentation.

The Editorial Board is responsible for assessing reported concerns objectively and determining appropriate editorial action. Decisions should be based on evidence and publication ethics principles rather than personal, institutional, or financial interests.

When necessary, the journal may seek advice from independent experts or relevant institutions to support its assessment.

  1. Closing

This policy is intended to provide a framework for addressing errors and research integrity concerns in articles published by the Indonesian Health Science Journal (IHSJ).

As IHSJ has not yet formally established a dedicated mechanism for handling post-publication corrections and retractions, implementation of this policy is subject to review and approval by the Editorial Board and the development of appropriate editorial procedures.

IHSJ may review and update this policy in accordance with developments in publication ethics and scholarly publishing practices. The journal may also refer to recognized guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when developing procedures to support the accuracy and integrity of its scholarly record.