A. GENERAL PRINCIPLE

The journal recognizes that the scholarly record may occasionally require formal correction or other post-publication action. The purpose of this policy is not to punish authors, but to ensure that readers have access to accurate, transparent, and trustworthy information. Editorial action will be proportional to the seriousness of the problem and the extent to which the reliability or integrity of the publication is affected.

B. CORRECTION

C. CORRECTION NOTICE

When a formal correction is required, the journal will publish a clear correction notice linked to the original article. The notice should identify:

• the article being corrected;
• the nature of the error;
• the corrected information;
• the date of correction;
• whether the error affects the interpretation of the article.

Where appropriate, the online article may also be updated with a clear indication that a correction has been issued.

D. RETRACTION

E. RETRACTION NOTICE

When an article is retracted, the journal will publish a retraction notice that clearly identifies the affected article and explains the reason for the retraction. The notice should be linked to the original article and should remain permanently available as part of the scholarly record.

F. STATUS OF A RETRACTED ARTICLE

G. EXPRESSION OF CONCERN

An Expression of Concern may be issued when serious questions have been raised about a published article but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to support a final correction or retraction. This may occur when:

• an investigation is still ongoing;
• evidence is incomplete or disputed;
• the authors' institution is reviewing the matter;
• significant concerns exist but the final outcome is uncertain.

An Expression of Concern may later be removed, replaced by a correction, or followed by a retraction depending on the outcome of the investigation.

H. MANUSCRIPT WITHDRAWAL

I. REQUIREMENTS FOR WITHDRAWAL REQUESTS

A withdrawal request should normally include:

• manuscript title;
• manuscript ID, where available;
• name of the corresponding author;
• clear reason for withdrawal;
• confirmation that all authors agree to the request.

The journal may request additional clarification when the reason for withdrawal is unclear or when an ethical concern may be involved.

J. WITHDRAWAL AFTER ACCEPTANCE

Withdrawal after acceptance should be requested only for legitimate reasons and should be communicated promptly. Because editorial review, peer review, copyediting, and production may already have required substantial editorial resources, authors are encouraged to consider withdrawal carefully. If ethical concerns are involved, the journal may continue an editorial investigation even after a withdrawal request is received.

K. AFTER FORMAL PUBLICATION

L. ARTICLE REMOVAL

Complete removal of a published article is expected to be rare and may be considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as when continued publication presents serious legal, privacy, confidentiality, or immediate harm concerns. Possible circumstances may include:

• serious violation of privacy or confidentiality;
• legal requirements or court orders;
• defamatory or unlawful content;
• content that creates a serious and immediate risk of harm;
• other exceptional circumstances requiring removal.

Where removal is necessary, a bibliographic record or explanatory notice may remain available whenever legally and ethically appropriate.

M. EDITORIAL INVESTIGATION

N. FAIRNESS AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Investigations will be handled as fairly, objectively, and confidentially as reasonably possible. Authors should be given an opportunity to respond to substantive concerns before a final decision is made, except where legal, safety, or other exceptional circumstances require immediate action. The journal will avoid public accusations before relevant evidence has been assessed.

O. AUTHOR-REQUESTED CORRECTIONS

Authors who discover an important error in their published article should contact the Editorial Office promptly. The journal will evaluate whether the matter requires:

• a minor technical update;
• a formal correction notice;
• a substantial correction;
• an expression of concern;
• retraction.

P. AUTHORSHIP CORRECTIONS

Requests to add, remove, or reorder authors after publication will be considered carefully. The journal may require:

• a written explanation for the requested change;
• agreement from all affected authors;
• confirmation of each author's contribution;
• additional documentation where necessary.

Where approved, a formal correction to the publication record may be issued.

Q. NO SILENT ALTERATION

R. METADATA AND INDEXING UPDATES

When a correction, retraction, or other formal notice is issued, the journal will make reasonable efforts to update relevant article metadata and publication records. Where possible, the journal may also communicate the updated status to DOI registration services, indexing systems, or other scholarly metadata services.

S. POLICY AT A GLANCE

Correction	For errors that require correction but do not invalidate the main findings.
Retraction	For serious reliability, ethical, originality, or publication integrity problems.
Withdrawal	Primarily for manuscripts not yet formally published.
Expression of Concern	For serious unresolved concerns while an investigation is incomplete.
Article Removal	Reserved for exceptional legal, privacy, confidentiality, or immediate harm circumstances.