Correction & Retraction Policy

Policy and procedures for correcting, retracting, or issuing expressions of concern regarding published scholarly content.

1. Policy Statement

The International Journal of Education and Vocational Studies (IJEVS) is committed to maintaining the integrity and reliability of the scholarly record. When errors, inaccuracies, research misconduct, or other issues affecting a published article are identified, the journal will assess the matter and take appropriate corrective action.

Post-publication decisions will be made objectively and proportionately to the nature and significance of the identified problem.

2. Types of Post-Publication Action

3. Corrections

A correction may be considered when an error in a published article is identified and correcting the record is necessary for accuracy and clarity.

Examples may include:

• Author name, affiliation, or metadata errors.
• Incorrect information that does not alter the main conclusions.
• Typographical or formatting errors that affect interpretation.
• Errors in tables, figures, captions, or supplementary information.
• Other factual or production errors requiring formal correction.

Corrections should clearly identify what was changed while preserving the transparency of the published scholarly record.

4. Retraction

An article may be retracted when there is reliable evidence that its findings, interpretation, or publication process is seriously compromised.

Possible grounds for retraction include:

• Fabrication or falsification of research data or results.
• Substantial plagiarism or serious unattributed use of another work.
• Duplicate or redundant publication that materially compromises the scholarly record.
• Major methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the conclusions.
• Serious ethical violations involving research participants or other subjects.
• Unauthorized or inappropriate manipulation of figures, images, or research materials.
• Serious undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the article.
• Evidence that the article was published through a seriously compromised or fraudulent process.
• Other circumstances in which the reliability of the published work cannot reasonably be maintained.

5. Expression of Concern

IJEVS may publish an Expression of Concern when credible concerns about an article are identified but the available evidence is insufficient for an immediate correction or retraction, or when an investigation by the relevant institution or authority is still ongoing.

6. Post-Publication Review Procedure

When a concern is reported or identified, IJEVS may follow the following procedure:

1. Receipt of concern — The journal records the concern and supporting information.
2. Initial assessment — The editor evaluates whether the concern is credible and relevant to the published article.
3. Evidence review — Relevant documents, data, references, editorial records, and other evidence may be examined.
4. Author response — The corresponding author and, where appropriate, other affected authors may be invited to respond.
5. Additional consultation — The journal may seek advice from reviewers, subject experts, institutions, or other appropriate parties.
6. Editorial decision — The editor determines the appropriate action based on the available evidence.
7. Publication of notice — Where appropriate, a correction, Expression of Concern, or retraction notice will be published and linked to the affected article.

7. Retraction Notice

When an article is retracted, IJEVS will provide a clear retraction notice explaining the reason for the action to the extent appropriate and permitted.

The retraction notice should be clearly linked to the original article and should identify the article's title, authors, publication information, and DOI where applicable.

8. Corrections to Metadata

Metadata errors such as incorrect author names, affiliations, article titles, publication dates, DOI information, abstracts, keywords, or other bibliographic information may be corrected when verified by the editorial team. Where applicable, corrections should also be reflected in relevant journal and DOI metadata records.

9. Authorship Corrections

Requests concerning authorship after publication will be evaluated carefully. Changes to authorship require appropriate justification and, where applicable, confirmation from the affected authors and relevant institutional or editorial authorities. The journal may request documentary evidence before making a post-publication authorship correction.

10. Plagiarism and Research Misconduct

Allegations involving plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, inappropriate image manipulation, unethical research practices, or other forms of research misconduct will be assessed under the journal's Publication Ethics and Plagiarism Policy. Serious confirmed misconduct may result in retraction.

11. Retraction Does Not Automatically Mean Author Misconduct

A retraction may result from honest errors, methodological problems, ethical issues, or misconduct. Therefore, a retraction notice should distinguish, where evidence permits, between honest error and intentional misconduct.

12. Appeals and Complaints

Authors or other relevant parties may submit a documented complaint or appeal concerning a post-publication decision. The editorial team will consider substantive evidence and review the matter objectively. An appeal should provide specific reasons and supporting documentation rather than simply disagreeing with the editorial decision.

13. Editorial Independence

Correction and retraction decisions should be based on scholarly evidence, research integrity, and the protection of the scholarly record. Decisions must not be influenced by commercial interests, personal relationships, institutional pressure, nationality, gender, religion, political views, or other irrelevant considerations.

14. Transparency of the Scholarly Record

IJEVS aims to maintain a transparent and reliable publication record. Post-publication notices should be clearly identifiable, appropriately linked to the affected article, and retained as part of the publication history. Where applicable, relevant DOI and bibliographic metadata should be updated consistently.

15. Policy Framework

IJEVS applies this policy together with its Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, Peer Review Process, Copyright & Licensing, AI Ethics & Procedure, and other applicable editorial policies. The journal may refer to recognized publication-ethics guidance when evaluating complex post-publication cases.

IJEVS Post-Publication Principles