IJBEMP upholds the accuracy and reliability of the published scholarly record. Where an error, omission, or ethical issue is identified in a published article, the record is not altered silently; instead, a transparent correction or retraction notice is published. This policy explains which notice applies in which situation and how the process is conducted.
Types of Notices
Three types of notices are used at our journal:
· Correction (Erratum – Corrigendum): Published where an author-originated error (data entry, calculation, figure or table error, missing reference) does not affect the scientific conclusions. The term erratum is used where the error is reported by the author, and corrigendum where a journal-originated error is corrected.
· Expression of Concern: Published where serious doubt exists regarding the reliability of an article but the investigation has not yet been concluded. It serves to inform readers and is updated with a final decision once the investigation is complete.
· Retraction: The withdrawal of an article from the scholarly record where findings are unreliable, ethical misconduct has been established, or the work constitutes duplicate publication.
Correction Process
Corrections may be initiated by authors or by the editorial office following a reader notification. The request is submitted to ijbemp@gmail.com with a statement clearly setting out the nature of the error and the correct information. The correction is published linked to the original article, and the original text is not deleted, thereby preserving the traceability of the scholarly record.
Retraction Process
A retraction decision may be taken upon the author’s own request or as a result of an investigation conducted by the editorial office. The investigation is carried out in accordance with the principles set out under “Publication Misconduct Statement” and “Similarity Policy”. Before a retraction decision is made, a written response is sought from the author(s); the author(s)’ right to object is reserved.
Content of the Retraction Notice
The retraction notice clearly states the article’s citation details, the reason for retraction, the party issuing the decision, and the basis of the investigation. The notice is published linked to the original article, and the author(s)’ approval is obtained wherever possible. Where the author(s) do not consent, this is also stated in the notice.
Accessibility and Archiving
Retracted articles are not removed entirely; a notice of retraction is added to the content and access to the text remains open. This practice is adopted to preserve the integrity and transparency of the scholarly record. Corrections, expressions of concern, and retraction notices are transmitted to the relevant indexes and archiving services so that records are updated.
Author and Reader Notifications
Authors are obliged to notify the journal of errors identified in their published articles. Readers may also submit such notifications. These notifications are evaluated within the scope of “Complaint and Appeal Process”.