Corrections & Retractions Policy

1. Policy Statement

Impaxon recognises that, despite careful editorial review and peer review, errors or concerns may occasionally be identified in published articles. When necessary, appropriate post-publication actions will be taken to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record while ensuring transparency for readers.

The nature of the action taken will depend upon the seriousness of the issue, the available evidence, and the potential impact on the validity, reliability, or interpretation of the published work.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all articles published by Impaxon journals, including research articles, review articles, case studies, short communications, editorials, and other scholarly content.

3. Corrections

A correction may be published where an error affects the accuracy, clarity, or completeness of the published article but does not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions.

Examples include errors involving author names, affiliations, funding information, acknowledgements, references, figures, tables, supplementary material, minor data inaccuracies, or production-related mistakes.

Corrections will be published as separate, citable notices that remain permanently linked to the original article.

4. Author-Initiated Corrections

Authors who discover an error in their published work should notify the journal as soon as possible. Authors should clearly explain the nature of the error, its impact on the published article, and the proposed correction.

The editorial office will evaluate the request before deciding whether a formal correction is appropriate.

5. Editorial Corrections

Editors may initiate corrections when inaccuracies, production errors, ethical concerns, or other issues affecting the published record are identified by editors, reviewers, readers, institutions, or other stakeholders.

Authors will normally be informed before a correction is published, except where immediate editorial action is necessary to protect the scholarly record.

6. Expressions of Concern

An Expression of Concern may be published when serious questions have been raised about a published article but sufficient evidence is not yet available to determine whether correction or retraction is appropriate.

Expressions of Concern may remain associated with an article while an institutional investigation, editorial assessment, or other inquiry is ongoing.

7. Retractions

A retraction may be issued where a published article is found to be unreliable due to research misconduct, major error, fabricated or falsified data, plagiarism, duplicate publication, unethical research, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or other serious breaches of publication ethics.

Retraction is intended to correct the scholarly record rather than punish authors. Decisions are made following careful editorial assessment and, where appropriate, consultation with authors, institutions, or other relevant parties.

8. Article Withdrawal Before Publication

In exceptional circumstances, a manuscript that has been accepted but has not yet been formally published may be withdrawn from the publication process. Withdrawal may occur where significant ethical concerns, legal issues, duplicate submission, authorship disputes, major errors, or other serious problems are identified before publication.

Withdrawal decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief or the publisher, following appropriate investigation and consultation with the authors where possible.

9. Article Removal

Removal of a published article is an exceptional measure and will be considered only where required by law or where continued public availability of the article presents a significant legal, ethical, privacy, or safety concern that cannot be addressed through correction or retraction.

Where an article is removed, Impaxon will normally retain the bibliographic record and publish an explanatory notice indicating the reason for removal, unless prevented from doing so by legal obligations.

10. Preservation of the Version of Record

Impaxon is committed to preserving the integrity of the scholarly record. Except in exceptional circumstances requiring removal, the published Version of Record will remain permanently available.

Corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions will normally be published as separate notices that are permanently linked to the original article to maintain transparency.

11. Editorial Investigation

Allegations relating to published articles are assessed fairly, confidentially, and objectively. Editors may request explanations from the authors, supporting documentation, institutional reports, ethics approvals, original data, or other relevant information before reaching a decision.

Where appropriate, Impaxon may consult reviewers, editorial board members, research institutions, funding bodies, or other organisations during the investigation.

12. Notifications to Readers

Correction notices, expressions of concern, retraction notices, and other post-publication updates will clearly identify the affected article and explain the nature of the change. Notices will be freely accessible and permanently linked to the original publication wherever possible.

Impaxon aims to ensure that readers can readily identify the current status of published articles while preserving the transparency and integrity of the scholarly record.

13. Author Responsibilities

Authors are expected to cooperate fully with editorial investigations, respond promptly to requests for information, and notify the journal if they become aware of significant errors or concerns affecting their published work.

Failure to cooperate with an investigation does not prevent the journal from taking appropriate editorial action where sufficient evidence exists.

14. Appeals

Authors who disagree with a correction, expression of concern, retraction, withdrawal, or removal decision may submit an appeal supported by relevant evidence. Appeals will be considered in accordance with the Complaints & Appeals Policy.

15. Changes to this Policy

Impaxon may revise this policy periodically to reflect developments in publication ethics, international publishing standards, legal requirements, and best editorial practices.