Post-Publication Correction and Retraction Policy

Post-Publication Correction and Retraction Policy

Commitment to Research Integrity
UOL Publisher remains committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record by upholding accuracy, reliability, and transparency throughout the record. We follow the rules and ethics set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for any changes that will happen after publication. All our actions adhere to ethical practice and uniform process.

Types of Post-Publication Changes

  1. Correction Notices
    Corrections are issued for errors that do not compromise the validity of the research findings but still require formal clarification.
  • Erratum: Issued for errors introduced by the journal, such as typographical or layout issues.
  • Corrigendum: Issued for errors introduced by the authors, including data miscalculations or mislabeled figures/tables.

Both types of correction:

  • Are linked bidirectionally to the original article.
  • Provide a clear explanation of the nature of the error and the corresponding correction.
  1. Retractions
    Retractions are published when the trustworthiness of the scholarly work is fundamentally undermined, whether through a genuine mistake or some form of misconduct.

Grounds for Retraction include:

  • Purposeful or accidental inefficiencies during data collection and subsequent analysis that led to erroneous conclusions.
  • Established cases of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to fabrication or falsification of scientific data, plagiarism, or engaging in unethical research protocols.

Each Retraction Notice:

  • Explains the rationale behind the retraction.
  • It is bidirectionally linked with the original article.
  • Keeps the original article available but distinctly labelled as retracted.
  1. Expressions of Concern
    An Expression of Concern may be published when:
  • A significant concern is likely to exist, although evidence has yet to be gathered.
  • An inquiry is being conducted by the author's institution or other appropriate authority.

This notice:

  • It is associated with the primary publication.
  • Will be modified or removed to add a Correction or Retraction depending on how the inquiry progresses.
  1. Withdrawal Policy

Pre-Publication Withdrawal:

  • During the peer review, authors can withdraw their manuscript upon request.
  • The approval for withdrawal is a decision for the editorial office.
  • A withdrawn submission is permanently deleted from the system with no possibility for publication.

Post-Publication Withdrawal:

  • The publication history is enduring and persistent; published articles cannot be removed from the record.
  • Corrections and retractions will be issued where necessary to preserve scholarly transparency and trust.

Post-Publication Change Process

Decision-Making

  • The Editor-in-Chief scrutinizes any modifications after publication in consultation with the editorial board, and if necessary, the author’s institution.

Author Notification:

  • Authors are notified about every suggested action taken after publication and are provided with a chance to react.

Reader Notification

  • All modifications (corrections, retractions, expressions of concern) are made transparently and are directly linked to the relevant article without any obscurity.

COPE Compliance

  • UOL Publisher abides by the COPE Retraction Guidelines and ethical procedures for managing corrections, retractions, withdrawals, and expressions of concern.

For questions concerning this policy, reach out to the editorial office at: research.Journals@oric.uol.edu.pk.