Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern Policy

Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern

Avicenna Journal of Clinical and Translational Medicine

The Avicenna Journal of Clinical and Translational Medicine (AJCTM), published by Avicenna Medical Press (AMP), is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability and integrity of the published scientific record.

When concerns arise following publication, the journal takes proportionate action according to the nature, significance and available evidence concerning the issue.

This policy is informed by the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. General Principles

Post-publication action is intended to preserve the integrity and usefulness of the scholarly record rather than to punish authors.

Concerns will be assessed fairly, without unnecessary delay, and with appropriate regard for confidentiality, evidence, editorial independence and procedural fairness.

2. Corrections

A correction may be published when an identified error materially affects the accuracy, interpretation or completeness of an article but does not invalidate its central findings.

Examples may include:

• Errors in numerical values or statistical reporting
• Incorrect figure or table labels
• Important omissions from disclosures or acknowledgments
• Errors in affiliations or authorship information
• Other substantive inaccuracies that can be corrected reliably

Minor typographical errors that do not affect scientific meaning may not require a formal correction notice.

Substantive corrections will be documented through a clearly identified, dated notice linked to the original article.

3. Retractions

Retraction may be considered when there is sufficient evidence that the article's findings or conclusions are unreliable, or when serious publication or research-integrity concerns invalidate the publication.

Relevant circumstances may include:

• Fabrication or falsification of research data
• Major analytical or methodological errors that invalidate conclusions
• Substantial plagiarism
• Improper duplicate or redundant publication
• Unethical research or serious consent violations
• Compromised peer review or serious publication-process manipulation
• Other serious concerns affecting the reliability or legitimacy of the publication

Retraction can arise from honest scientific error or misconduct. It does not, by itself, establish that the authors acted dishonestly.

4. Retraction Notices

When an article is retracted, the journal will publish a clearly labelled retraction notice that identifies the affected article and explains the reason for the action.

The notice will include an appropriate bibliographic reference and a direct link to the original publication.

Retracted articles will normally remain accessible as part of the scholarly record, clearly marked as retracted in the available online formats.

The journal will update relevant article metadata and notify indexing or registration services where technically supported.

5. Expressions of Concern

An Expression of Concern may be published where substantial questions remain about the reliability or integrity of an article but the available evidence is not sufficient to support a final correction or retraction decision.

It may also be appropriate while a potentially prolonged investigation is ongoing and readers should be alerted to a credible concern.

An Expression of Concern will identify the article and explain the nature of the concern without making unsupported allegations.

The notice may subsequently be updated, replaced or followed by a correction, retraction, or statement resolving the concern.

6. Investigation Procedures

The Editorial Office will conduct an initial assessment of concerns supported by relevant information.

Authors will normally be given an opportunity to explain or respond to material allegations.

Where appropriate, the journal may request underlying data, ethics approvals, source documents, image files or other supporting records.

The journal may seek advice from independent experts or contact relevant institutions and research-integrity bodies.

An author's refusal to cooperate does not prevent editorial action where sufficiently reliable evidence is available.

7. Editorial Responsibility

The final decision to correct, retract or issue an Expression of Concern rests with the Editor-in-Chief or an appropriately appointed independent editor where a conflict exists.

The publisher may provide legal, technical and administrative assistance but must not improperly influence scientific editorial decisions.

8. Linking and Preservation

Post-publication notices will be linked to the relevant original article wherever technically possible.

The journal will preserve the publication history and avoid silently removing or materially altering the published scholarly record.

Any amended article file should clearly identify material changes and direct readers to the associated notice.

9. Withdrawal and Removal

Manuscript withdrawal before publication is distinct from the retraction of published work.

Complete removal of a published article will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as serious privacy, legal or safety concerns that cannot be addressed adequately through a notice or restricted access.

Where removal is unavoidable, the journal will seek to retain an appropriate public record of the action, subject to applicable legal requirements.

10. Requests and Correspondence

Authors, readers and institutions may raise concerns about published articles by contacting the Editorial Office.

Please provide the article title, DOI or publication URL, a clear description of the concern, and supporting evidence where available.

Editorial Office, AJCTM
editor@ajctm.org

11. Relevant Guidance

COPE Retraction Guidelines (2025)
ICMJE Recommendations