Our Commitment to Research Integrity
At Potroput Journal, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity. Our retraction policy follows the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Retractions are a mechanism for correcting the literature and alerting readers to articles that contain seriously flawed or erroneous data, or have been found to contain misconduct. This policy outlines the principles, procedures, and responsibilities involved in the retraction process.
What is a Retraction?
- A retraction is a formal withdrawal of a published article
- Issued when serious errors or misconduct are identified
- Removes the article from the scientific record
- Retained as a separate retraction notice with reasons
- Original article remains accessible with watermark
Grounds for Retraction
- Scientific misconduct (falsification, fabrication, plagiarism)
- Honest errors that invalidate the findings
- Redundant publication (duplicate submission)
- Copyright infringement or ethical violations
- Unauthorized authorship or conflicts of interest
- Data manipulation or image manipulation
Retraction Process
- Concern raised by readers, institutions, or editors
- Initial investigation by editorial board
- Consultation with authors and/or institutions
- Review by ethics committee if necessary
- Final decision by Editor-in-Chief
- Publication of retraction notice
Retraction Notice
- Linked to the original article
- Clearly identifies the article being retracted
- States the reason for retraction
- Specifies who is issuing the retraction
- Distinguishes between error and misconduct
- Published in the next available issue
Author Responsibilities
- Notify journal immediately of significant errors
- Cooperate fully with investigation process
- Respond to queries within specified timeframe
- Provide raw data when requested
- Accept retraction when justified
- Avoid retaliatory actions against whistleblowers
Post-Retraction Actions
- Article marked as "RETRACTED" on all platforms
- Retraction notice indexed separately
- Notification to indexing databases (Scopus, WoS, etc.)
- Authors informed of implications
- Funding agencies notified if applicable
- Institutional review if misconduct confirmed
Publication Actions & Their Meanings
Different levels of action are taken depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Understanding these helps authors and readers interpret the status of published articles.
Full Retraction
Complete withdrawal of the entire article
Partial Retraction
Only specific parts of the article are retracted
Expression of Concern
Editorial notice about potential issues during investigation
Correction
Minor errors that do not affect conclusions
Erratum
Publisher error correction
Addendum
Additional information added to article
COPE Guidelines & Best Practices
We strictly adhere to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines for retractions. This ensures our processes are internationally recognized and ethically sound.
Retraction Notice Format
All retraction notices include: Title ("Retraction: [Original Article Title]"), authors of the notice, reason for retraction, who is issuing the retraction, date, and a link to the original article. The original article is watermarked "RETRACTED" on every page in both HTML and PDF formats.
Investigation Process
When concerns are raised, we conduct a preliminary assessment. If warranted, a formal investigation begins with consultation of authors, institutions, and sometimes external experts. All parties are given opportunity to respond. The process is documented at every stage.
Appeals Process
Authors have the right to appeal retraction decisions. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days, providing new evidence or substantial grounds for reconsideration. Appeals are reviewed by an independent ethics panel not involved in the original decision.