Innovation in Health for Society

Retraction, Withdrawal, & Correction (R-W-C) Policy

Article Retraction (R)

Innovation in Health for Society consistently commit to maintaining the journal integrity by retracting an article when met the following criteria:
  • A major scientific error is found that potentially invalidates the finding, for example where there is clear evidence that findings are unreliable data, data fabrication, and miscalculation or experimental error.
  • Similar findings have been published in another journal.
  • Problems in ethical issues, for example, plagiarism or inappropriate authorship.
In order to ensure that retractions are well-controlled, here the retraction process:
  • An article requiring potential retraction is brought to the attention of the journal editor.
  • The journal editor should follow the step-by-step guidelines according to the COPE flowcharts (including evaluating a response from the author of the article in question).
  • Before any action is taken, the editor meets the other editorial team to consider the article. 
  • The final decision as to whether to retract is then communicated to the author and, if necessary, any other relevant bodies, such as the author's institution on occasion.
  • The retraction statement is then posted online and published in the next available issue of the journal.  

Article Withdrawal (W)

Withdrawal is the author's right. However, authors are strongly discouraged from withdrawing a submitted manuscript once it has entered the publication process (e.g., peer review, copyediting, layout) because the withdrawal is a waste of valuable resources that editors and referees have spent a great deal of time processing submitted manuscripts, and the work invested by the publisher. In some cases, should it become necessary, authors must submit a formal request via email to the editor providing compelling justification, such as fundamental errors or duplication before the article's publication. If approved, the article is removed or replaced with a note explaining the withdrawal. Withdrawal is acceptable before formal acceptance (e.g., due to errors or mistakes) but not for unethical reasons like simultaneous submissions.

Article Correction (C)

Innovation in Health for Society consider correcting an article when :
  • A small part of an otherwise reliable publication reports flawed data or proves to be misleading, especially if this is the result of honest error.
  • The Author or Contributor list is incorrect (e.g. a deserving Author has been omitted or someone who does not meet authorship criteria has been included).
Corrections to peer-reviewed content fall into one of three categories:
  • Publisher correction (erratum): to notify readers of an important error made by publishing/journal staff (usually a production error) that has a negative impact on the publication record or the scientific integrity of the article, or on the reputation of the Authors or the journal.
  • Author correction (corrigendum): to notify readers of an important error made by the Authors which has a negative impact on the publication record or the scientific integrity of the article, or on the reputation of the Authors or the journal.
  • Addendum: an addition to the article by its Authors to explain inconsistencies, to expand the existing work, or otherwise explain or update the information in the main work.
The decision of whether a correction should be issued is made by the Editor(s) of a journal, sometimes with advice from Reviewers or Editorial Board members. Handling Editors will contact the Authors of the paper concerned with a request for clarification, but the final decision about whether a correction is required and if so which type rests with the Editors.