Journal of Physical Science Advances (JPSA) recognises its responsibility to maintain the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal acknowledges that errors and concerns may occasionally be identified after an article has been accepted or published.
Publication does not prevent the journal from examining concerns about the accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, or reliability of a published article. Where an error or serious concern is established, appropriate corrective action may be taken to ensure that readers are informed and the published record is maintained responsibly.
The nature and extent of the issue will determine the appropriate editorial response. JPSA distinguishes between corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions to ensure that the action taken is proportionate to the seriousness of the matter.
Depending on the circumstances, the journal may take one of the following actions:
A correction is published when an error is identified in an article but the issue does not invalidate the overall research findings or conclusions. Corrections may concern author information, affiliations, figures, tables, references, typographical errors, or specific statements requiring amendment.
The original article generally remains available, with a clear link to the published correction notice.
An expression of concern may be issued when a potentially serious problem has been identified but the available evidence is insufficient for an immediate final decision. It may also be appropriate when an investigation is ongoing or requires clarification from an institution or other relevant authority.
The notice informs readers that the reliability or integrity of an article is under examination.
Retraction is considered when the findings or integrity of a published article are substantially compromised. This may arise from established plagiarism, fabricated or falsified data, serious methodological or analytical errors, unethical research practices, or other significant publication-ethics violations.
A retracted article remains identifiable in the scholarly record, but its retracted status must be clearly indicated.
A correction may be considered when an error is identified in a published article and an amendment is necessary to maintain the accuracy and clarity of the publication.
Corrections are generally appropriate when the affected information can be amended without undermining the central scientific findings or conclusions of the research.
Examples of matters that may require correction include:
Incorrect author names, affiliations, institutional details, or other publication information may require correction where the error affects the accuracy of the published record.
Incorrect figure labels, table entries, captions, or other graphical or tabular information may be corrected where the underlying research remains reliable.
Incorrect bibliographic information, missing citations, or inaccurate references may be amended where the correction improves the accuracy and traceability of the article.
An error in a calculation, equation, description, or interpretation may warrant correction when its effect on the article's conclusions is limited and can be clearly addressed.
Errors introduced during manuscript preparation, editing, typesetting, or publication may be corrected to maintain the accuracy and clarity of the final published version.
A correction notice should identify the article, describe the error, provide the corrected information, and explain the amendment where necessary. The correction should be linked to the original article so that readers can identify the relationship between the two records.
An expression of concern may be issued when credible information raises questions about the reliability or integrity of a published article, but the available evidence does not yet justify a final editorial conclusion.
This may occur when an investigation is incomplete, when relevant documentation is unavailable, or when the journal is awaiting clarification from authors or their affiliated institutions.
An expression of concern is intended to provide transparency to readers while the matter is examined. It does not, by itself, establish that misconduct has occurred.
Following further examination, the journal may decide to issue a correction, retract the article, replace the expression of concern with another appropriate notice, or take no further action.
Retraction may be considered when the reliability, originality, or ethical integrity of a published article is substantially compromised. The purpose of retraction is to alert readers that the article should no longer be treated as a reliable contribution to the scientific literature.
Potential grounds for retraction include:
Evidence that research observations, measurements, images, or results have been invented, manipulated, or deliberately misrepresented.
Established plagiarism involving another researcher's intellectual contribution, research findings, or substantial portions of published work.
Serious errors in research design, methodology, analysis, or interpretation that invalidate the central findings or conclusions of the article.
Research conducted or reported in violation of essential ethical requirements, including serious issues involving consent, research approval, or the treatment of research participants where applicable.
Publication of substantially overlapping material without appropriate disclosure where the duplication materially compromises the integrity of the scholarly record.
Evidence of manipulated peer review, fraudulent authorship, fabricated reviewer identities, or other serious interference with the editorial and publication process.
Retraction is not intended as a punishment for honest mistakes that can be adequately corrected. The decision should be based on the seriousness of the issue and its effect on the validity or integrity of the published work.
JPSA aims to examine post-publication concerns through a fair, documented, and evidence-based editorial process. The following stages describe the general procedure:
A concern may be raised by an author, reader, reviewer, researcher, institution, or another relevant party. The report should identify the affected article and provide sufficient information or supporting evidence for examination.
The editorial team examines the reported issue, identifies the nature of the alleged error or misconduct, and determines whether additional information or investigation is necessary.
Where appropriate, the journal may contact the corresponding author and other relevant individuals to request clarification, supporting records, original data, or an explanation of the concern.
For complex or serious cases, the journal may seek additional evidence, consult appropriate subject experts, or communicate with the authors' affiliated institutions or other relevant authorities.
After reviewing the available information and responses, the editorial team determines whether a correction, expression of concern, retraction, or no further action is appropriate.
Where corrective action is required, the journal publishes an appropriate notice identifying the affected article and explaining the reason for the action.
The steps may vary depending on the nature and urgency of the concern. The journal may take interim measures, including temporarily suspending publication-related activity or issuing an expression of concern, where circumstances warrant such action.
Authors are expected to notify the editorial office promptly when they identify a significant error in their published work. This responsibility applies even when the error is discovered after publication and was not identified during the review or production process.
Authors should:
Prompt and transparent reporting of honest errors is an important part of responsible scientific conduct.
Where an article is retracted, JPSA should publish a separate retraction notice that clearly identifies the affected article and explains the reason for retraction.
The notice should provide sufficient information for readers to understand why the article has been retracted. Where appropriate, it should identify whether the retraction arose from research errors, misconduct, ethical concerns, or another significant issue.
A retracted article should remain identifiable in the publication record, with its retracted status clearly displayed. The original scholarly record should not be silently removed or altered in a manner that conceals the retraction.
The retraction notice should be connected to the original article so that readers accessing either record can identify the relevant editorial action.
Authors, readers, researchers, reviewers, and other interested individuals may bring potential errors or publication integrity concerns to the attention of the editorial office.
A request should include the title of the article, its publication details or DOI where available, a description of the concern, and relevant supporting evidence.
The journal may request additional information before determining whether a formal correction, expression of concern, or retraction is warranted.
Decisions concerning corrections and retractions should be based on the available evidence and the effect of the identified issue on the scholarly record.
Such decisions should not be influenced by the professional position of the authors, their institutional affiliation, commercial interests, or external pressure.
Authors should be given a reasonable opportunity to provide an explanation where appropriate. However, failure to obtain a response does not prevent the journal from taking necessary action when sufficient evidence is available.
JPSA considers the reliability of the published scientific record an ongoing responsibility. The journal is committed to addressing significant errors and ethical concerns through transparent editorial action.
Corrections and retractions are intended to preserve the accuracy of scholarly communication, inform readers about material changes, and maintain confidence in the integrity of published research.
This policy should be read alongside the journal's Publication Ethics Policy, Plagiarism Policy, Authorship Policy, and Conflict of Interest Policy.
