Retraction and Correction Policy

Vexido Publications LLP is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the academic record. Our Retraction and Correction Policy ensures that any errors, ethical concerns, or other issues in published content are addressed promptly and transparently.

1. Purpose

The policy governs the processes for:

  • Correcting errors in published articles.
  • Retracting articles with serious ethical or scientific breaches.
  • Providing clear and transparent communication regarding any changes to the academic record.

2. Corrections

2.1 Types of Corrections

  • Minor Corrections: Typographical errors, minor formatting issues, or other changes that do not affect the scientific content.
  • Major Corrections: Errors in data, methods, or analysis that significantly affect the conclusions or findings of the study.

2.2 Procedure for Corrections

  1. Authors or readers may report errors to the editorial office.
  2. The editorial team investigates the issue and consults with authors and reviewers if necessary.
  3. If warranted, a Correction Notice is published, clearly linked to the original article, specifying:
    • The nature of the correction.
    • The original and corrected content.
    • The reason for the correction.

3. Retractions

3.1 Reasons for Retraction

Articles may be retracted if they:

  • Contain evidence of data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.
  • Have significant errors that invalidate the findings.
  • Violate ethical standards, including undeclared conflicts of interest or authorship disputes.

3.2 Retraction Procedure

  1. The issue is reported to the editorial team by authors, readers, or reviewers.
  2. An initial investigation is conducted to verify the claims.
  3. If misconduct or significant errors are confirmed, the authors are informed and given an opportunity to respond.
  4. The editorial team, in consultation with the Editorial Board, decides whether retraction is necessary.
  5. A Retraction Notice is published, specifying:
    • The reason for retraction.
    • The parties involved (authors, institution, etc.).
    • A clear indication that the article is retracted (e.g., watermark on the PDF).

4. Withdrawal of Articles

  • Pre-Publication Withdrawal: Articles may be withdrawn during the review process if ethical concerns or errors are identified.
  • Post-Publication Withdrawal: Rarely used; instead, retraction is preferred to ensure transparency.

5. Replacement

In some cases, a retracted article may be replaced with a corrected version. The replacement will:

  • Clearly indicate the changes made.
  • Retain the original publication date with a note explaining the replacement.

6. Expressions of Concern

If an issue is identified but cannot be resolved immediately (e.g., ongoing investigation), an Expression of Concern may be published to alert readers.

7. Transparency

All corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern are:

  • Published as separate notices and linked to the original article.
  • Openly accessible to ensure transparency and accountability.

8. Ethical Oversight

  • The policy aligns with guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
  • Serious ethical concerns may be referred to the author’s institution or funding agency.

9. Reporting Errors

Authors, readers, or reviewers can report errors by contacting:

10. Consequences of Misconduct

Authors found guilty of unethical practices may face:

  • Rejection of future submissions.
  • Notification to their institution or funding body.
  • Public acknowledgment of misconduct.

Vexido Publications LLP is dedicated to preserving the trust of the academic community by addressing errors and ethical concerns with transparency and fairness.