Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern

The International Journal of Social Exploration (IJSoE) is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. Where concerns arise regarding published content, the journal will consider appropriate post-publication action based on the nature, seriousness, and available evidence relating to the matter.

Corrections

A correction may be issued when a published article contains an error or omission that requires clarification but does not substantially invalidate the overall reliability or conclusions of the work.

Corrections may relate to factual, analytical, methodological, bibliographic, authorship, affiliation, funding, disclosure, or other relevant information.

Minor typographical or stylistic errors that do not affect the meaning, interpretation, discoverability, or scholarly record may not require a formal correction.

Where a formal correction is issued, the notice should identify the article concerned and clearly describe the nature of the correction. Where technically possible, the correction notice will be linked to the original article.

Retractions

Retraction may be considered where reliable evidence indicates that a published article is no longer sufficiently reliable to remain part of the scholarly record without clear qualification.

Circumstances that may warrant consideration of retraction include, but are not limited to:

• serious errors that substantially undermine the findings or conclusions;
• fabrication or falsification of data or evidence;
• substantial plagiarism;
• serious duplicate or redundant publication;
• publication based on a materially compromised or manipulated peer-review process;
• serious ethical violations;
• unauthorized use of data or material;
• significant undisclosed competing interests that materially affect the interpretation of the work; or
• serious legal or rights-related concerns requiring appropriate editorial action.

A retraction is intended primarily to correct the scholarly record and inform readers about the reliability of the publication. It is not, by itself, a determination of an individual's intent or misconduct.

Where a retraction is issued, the journal will normally retain the bibliographic record of the article and publish a clearly identified retraction notice stating the reason for the action to the extent that this can appropriately and lawfully be disclosed.

Expressions of Concern

An Expression of Concern may be issued where serious questions have been raised about the integrity or reliability of a publication but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to determine whether correction, retraction, or no further action is appropriate.

This may occur, for example, where an investigation is ongoing, relevant evidence remains unavailable, or independent clarification is required.

An Expression of Concern does not automatically imply that misconduct has occurred. It is intended to alert readers that material questions concerning the publication are under consideration.

The journal may subsequently update, replace, or remove an Expression of Concern when sufficient information becomes available.

Retraction or Correction Requests

Authors, readers, reviewers, institutions, or other concerned parties may bring potential errors or integrity concerns to the attention of the Editorial Team.

Requests should provide sufficient information to allow the journal to understand and assess the concern. The journal may request supporting documentation, clarification, or additional information where appropriate.

Submission of a request does not automatically result in correction, retraction, or other editorial action.

Assessment of Concerns

The Editorial Team will assess post-publication concerns on a case-by-case basis and may consult relevant authors, reviewers, editorial advisers, institutions, publishers, legal advisers, or other appropriate parties where necessary.

The journal does not undertake to determine criminal, employment, disciplinary, or institutional liability and may refer matters requiring formal investigation to the relevant institution or authority.

Where institutional or other external investigations are relevant, the journal may consider their findings while retaining responsibility for decisions concerning the journal's scholarly record.

Author-Initiated Errors

Authors are encouraged to inform the journal promptly if they discover a significant error in their published work.

Good-faith disclosure of an honest error will be considered in determining the appropriate form of correction. The need to correct or retract a publication will be based primarily on the reliability of the scholarly record rather than on assumptions concerning an author's intent.

Authorship or Metadata Corrections

Requests involving author names, author order, affiliations, acknowledgements, funding information, or other publication metadata will be considered in accordance with the journal's authorship and editorial policies.

The journal may require agreement from affected authors or supporting documentation before making significant changes.

Version of Record

The published article constitutes the journal's Version of Record. The journal will normally avoid silently replacing or substantially altering published content.

Where substantive changes are necessary, they should normally be accompanied by an appropriate correction, retraction, or other editorial notice so that the publication history remains transparent.

Removal of Published Content

Complete removal of published content will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as where continued availability creates a serious legal, privacy, safety, or rights-related concern.

Where possible and appropriate, the bibliographic record may be retained with a notice explaining that the content has been removed.

Editorial Independence

Decisions concerning corrections, retractions, Expressions of Concern, or other post-publication actions will be based on the available evidence, the integrity of the scholarly record, applicable ethical standards, and relevant legal considerations.

The journal may revise or update a post-publication notice if new and reliable information becomes available.