Purpose
Published work is a permanent record. When it contains an error, or is found to be unreliable, LMDAJ will correct the record openly, quickly and fairly. This policy explains the types of notice we publish, when each is used, and how to report a problem. It follows COPE’s retraction guidelines.
Principles
- The scholarly record must be accurate. Errors are corrected whoever made them.
- Notices are published promptly, are free to read, are linked to the original article and are permanently available.
- We do not delete articles from the record. Retracted articles stay online and clearly marked.
- Decisions are made by the Chief Editor (or a designated independent editor), with the authors given a chance to respond.
- Honest error is not misconduct. Retraction is not always a sanction.
- There is no time limit for reporting an error.
Types of notice
| Notice | When it is used | How it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Correction – author error (Erratum) | A significant error by the authors that affects meaning, data, results, the conclusions, authorship or declarations. | A separate notice linked to the article and a note on the article, with date. |
| Correction – journal error | A significant error by LMDAJ (typesetting, production, wrong figure, wrong metadata). | A separate notice; minor production errors may be fixed in the online version with a dated note. |
| Addendum | Important new information that readers need after publication. | A linked notice. |
| Minor corrections | Spelling, formatting or other changes that do not affect meaning. | Corrected silently or with a short dated note. |
| Editorial Expression of Concern | Serious concerns about reliability, or an investigation under way that may take a long time or may not conclude. | A notice linked to the article; an interim measure. |
| Retraction | Evidence that findings are unreliable due to serious error or fabrication; plagiarism; duplicate publication; unethical research; undisclosed major competing interest; authorship or peer-review manipulation; or if authors cannot supply data when asked. | A retraction notice linked to the article, which is watermarked or marked “Retracted” and remains accessible. |
| Removal | Only in rare cases: content that is defamatory, infringes a legal right or is a risk to health or safety. | Metadata and a statement stay online. |
| Name change | Authors who change their name. | Updated confidentially unless the author asks for a notice (see Authorship Policy). |
Reporting an error or concern
Send details to the Contact the Editorial Office page, including the article title and DOI, what is wrong, evidence and how the problem may have arisen. Anyone may report: authors, readers, reviewers, editors or institutions.
- The editorial office acknowledges within 5 working days.
- Concerns are assessed by the Chief Editor or an independent editor.
- Authors are normally contacted and have 14 days to respond.
- Where research integrity is questioned, the Publication Ethics Policy applies. Institutions or funders may be contacted.
Who may initiate
- Authors should tell the journal as soon as they find a significant error. Author-initiated corrections of honest error are encouraged and are not penalised.
- Editors may issue a notice without the authors’ agreement when there is good evidence of a problem.
- All authors (or the corresponding author on their behalf) are asked to agree to a correction. If they do not agree and the error is real, the editor can still publish the notice.
Content of a notice
A notice states: the full citation and DOI of the original article; what was wrong and how it was corrected; who is responsible (authors or journal) where appropriate; the date; and for retractions, the reason, who requested it, and whether findings are unreliable. Notices are factual and neutral. They are titled clearly (for example “Correction:…” or “Retraction:…”) and indexed (DOI, PubMed and other databases) as far as the journal’s indexing allows. The original article carries a link to the notice, and the notice to the original.
Timelines (targets)
| Step | Target |
|---|---|
| Acknowledge a report | 5 working days |
| Initial assessment | 2–4 weeks |
| Publish a simple correction | 2–4 weeks after approval |
| Interim Expression of Concern | As soon as a serious concern is credible |
| Full investigation | May take months; updates to the reporter where possible |
Retracted content
- The article stays accessible with a clear “Retracted” watermark and a link to the notice.
- Citations of a retracted paper should acknowledge the retraction. Authors are asked to check reference lists.
- A retracted article may be republished (retraction and replacement) if a correct version is later produced and passes review.
Post-publication comments and criticism
Readers can send letters to the editor or comments about published articles. Letters are reviewed and may be published, with a reply from the authors, where they raise substantive scientific issues.
Appeals
Authors who disagree with a decision to retract or issue an expression of concern may appeal once, in writing, with new evidence, to an editor not involved in the decision.
Contact
Questions about this policy: please use the Contact the Editorial Office page.