Corrections, Retractions & Expressions of Concern Policy

Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern Policy

Thoughts Review is committed to maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the scholarly record. The journal follows internationally recognized publication ethics standards and ensures that corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern are handled transparently, responsibly, and promptly whenever necessary.

The journal follows the principles and guidelines recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for addressing errors, ethical concerns, and integrity issues in published research. This policy aligns with the standards required by major indexing databases, including the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Scopus, and the Web of Science (WoS).

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy outlines the procedures for handling post-publication issues, including corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern. It applies to all content published in Thoughts Review, including research articles, review articles, editorials, and other scholarly contributions.

The journal recognizes its responsibility to preserve the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record and to protect the trust of readers, authors, and the academic community.

2. Corrections Policy

Thoughts Review recognizes that honest errors may occur during the research, writing, editing, or publication process. When a significant error is identified that affects the accuracy, interpretation, or understanding of an article, the journal will publish a correction notice.

Corrections may be issued for:

1)      Errors in author names, affiliations, or institutional details.

2)      Minor factual or typographical errors that affect the clarity or meaning of the article.

3)      Errors in figures, tables, references, or data presentation.

4)      Errors in methodology description that do not invalidate the findings.

5)      Other mistakes that do not invalidate the main findings or conclusions of the research.

All correction notices will:

A.    Clearly identify the original article and the specific correction made.

B.     Be electronically linked to the original publication.

C.     Include the date of correction and the version of record.

D.    Maintain transparency while preserving the original academic record.

E.     Be published in a timely manner after verification.

Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the meaning or scientific integrity of the article may be corrected directly in the online version without issuing a formal correction notice. Such minor corrections will be documented in the article's version history where applicable.

Author Responsibilities for Corrections:

Authors are required to promptly notify the journal if they discover a significant error in their published work. Authors should provide a clear explanation of the error and the necessary correction. The editorial team will assess the request and determine the appropriate course of action.

3. Retraction Policy

Thoughts Review may retract a published article when serious issues are identified that compromise the reliability, originality, or ethical standards of the research.

Articles may be considered for retraction in cases including, but not limited to:

1)      Evidence of plagiarism or significant similarity with previously published work.

2)      Fabrication or falsification of research data, images, or results.

3)      Serious methodological errors that invalidate the findings and conclusions.

4)      Duplicate publication or unethical multiple submissions.

5)      Unauthorized use of copyrighted material or infringement of intellectual property rights.

6)      Proven violations of research or publication ethics.

7)      Manipulation of the peer-review process.

8)      Unethical research practices, including violations of human or animal research ethics.

9)      Undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the interpretation of the work.

10)  Authorship disputes where the contribution of authors is misrepresented.

11)  Failure to disclose the use of AI-generated content in violation of journal policy.

Retraction Process:

A retraction decision will be made carefully after a thorough investigation by the Editorial Board, considering all available evidence and following COPE guidelines.

The retraction process will include:

1.      A preliminary assessment of the concern by the editorial team.

2.      Notification to the authors, providing an opportunity to respond.

3.      Consultation with independent experts or the authors' institutions where appropriate.

4.      A reasoned editorial decision based on the evidence.

5.      Communication of the decision to all relevant parties.

Retraction Notices:

Retracted articles will remain available online for transparency but will be clearly marked as "Retracted Article" in the article header and PDF. The retraction notice will:

1.      Explain the reason for retraction.

2.      Be permanently linked to the original article.

3.      Be published in the current issue of the journal.

4.      Be indexed and linked by relevant databases.

5.      Remain accessible to readers.

The original article will not be removed from the public record; instead, it will be clearly identified as retracted to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

4. Expressions of Concern Policy

An Expression of Concern may be issued when serious questions arise regarding the integrity or reliability of a published article, but the investigation process has not yet reached a final conclusion.

The journal may publish an Expression of Concern in situations such as:

        I.            Allegations of research misconduct requiring further investigation.

     II.            Disputes regarding data, authorship, or ethical approval.

  III.            Delays in obtaining sufficient evidence for correction or retraction.

  IV.            Concerns raised by readers, reviewers, or other parties that require investigation.

    V.            Pending institutional investigations.

Expression of Concern Notices:

The Expression of Concern will:

A.    Clearly identify the original article.

B.     Explain the nature of the concern.

C.     Be linked to the original article.

D.    Remain connected to the original article until the matter is resolved.

After completion of the investigation, the journal may:

a.       Issue a correction if errors are identified but findings remain valid.

b.      Retract the article if serious misconduct or invalidity is confirmed.

c.       Remove the Expression of Concern if concerns are not substantiated.

d.      Publish a follow-up notice explaining the outcome.

5. Investigation Process

When an ethical concern is reported, the Editorial Board of Thoughts Review will initiate a thorough and fair investigation.

The investigation process will include:

a.       Initial Assessment: Review the complaint and available evidence to determine whether further investigation is warranted.

b.      Notification: Contact the authors and provide them with an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised.

c.       Evidence Gathering: Collect and review relevant documentation, including manuscript files, correspondence, reviewer reports, and data where available.

d.      Expert Consultation: Consult reviewers, editors, independent experts, or the authors' institutions when necessary.

e.       COPE Guidance: Follow COPE recommendations and flowcharts for resolving publication ethics issues.

f.        Decision Making: Take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation, including correction, retraction, expression of concern, or no action if concerns are not substantiated.

g.      Documentation: Maintain confidential records of the investigation and its outcome.

All investigations will be conducted:

1.      Fairly and without bias.

2.      Confidentially, to the extent practicable.

3.      In a timely manner.

4.      With respect for the rights of all parties involved.

6. Author Responsibilities

Authors are required to:

                    I.            Immediately inform the journal if they discover significant errors in their published work.

                 II.            Cooperate fully with the editorial team during investigations.

              III.            Provide necessary explanations, data, or supporting evidence when requested.

              IV.            Respond to editorial inquiries in a timely manner.

                V.            Not attempt to obstruct or interfere with investigations.

Failure to cooperate with an investigation may result in editorial action, including retraction of the article.

7. Editorial Responsibility and Independence

The Editorial Board of Thoughts Review holds the responsibility of protecting the integrity of the academic record.

The journal reserves the right to:

                         i.       Publish corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern whenever necessary to maintain scholarly accuracy and public trust.

                       ii.      Make editorial decisions independently of commercial interests, personal relationships, or external pressure.

                    iii.       Consult with independent experts or institutions when necessary.

                     iv.       Inform relevant indexing databases, publishers, or institutions about retractions and corrections.

Editorial decisions regarding corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern are made in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement and Peer Review Policy.

8. Transparency and Academic Integrity

Thoughts Review believes that maintaining transparency regarding published research is essential for the advancement of knowledge. Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern are considered important mechanisms for preserving trust in scholarly communication.

The journal is committed to:

                    i.      Publishing notices that are clear, accurate, and informative.

                  ii.      Linking notices to the original articles.

                iii.      Making notices freely accessible to all readers.

                iv.      Informing relevant indexing databases and repositories about changes to published content.

                  v.      Maintaining a public record of corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern.

9. Notification to Indexing Databases and Repositories

When an article is corrected, retracted, or an expression of concern is issued, Thoughts Review will take reasonable steps to notify relevant indexing databases, abstracting services, and repositories. This ensures that the scholarly record is updated consistently across platforms.

The journal will:

               i.      Update article metadata to reflect the correction, retraction, or expression of concern.

             ii.      Notify DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science, and other relevant databases where applicable.

           iii.      Ensure that DOI metadata is updated to reflect the status of the article.

10. Post-Publication Discussion and Reader Concerns

Thoughts Review welcomes substantiated scholarly criticism and concerns relating to published work. Readers may submit comments or concerns through the journal's official contact channels.

The editorial team will assess whether the matter requires:

·         Clarification.

·         A correction.

·         An expression of concern.

·         A retraction.

·         Another appropriate response.

Post-publication concerns will be considered on their evidence and scholarly merits, and relevant parties may be invited to respond.

11. International Standards and Best Practices

This policy is developed in accordance with internationally recognized publication ethics principles and informed by the recommendations of:

1.Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

2.Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

3.Scopus

4.Web of Science (WoS)

5.International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)

6.International scholarly publishing best practices

Thoughts Review follows the ethical principles and best practices recommended by these organizations to ensure responsible publishing and protection of the academic record.

12. Policy Review

Thoughts Review periodically reviews and updates this policy to ensure continued alignment with evolving standards of research integrity and ethical publishing.

The editorial team is responsible for implementing this policy consistently and for reviewing it when significant ethical concerns arise. Any revisions to this policy will be published on the journal website.

Contact

Questions or concerns regarding this Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern Policy should be directed to the Thoughts Review editorial office using the official contact details published on the journal website.