Retraction Policy

Purpose

The retraction policy of Impact Compass Journals is designed to uphold the integrity of the scholarly record by correcting the literature and alerting readers to articles that contain seriously flawed or erroneous data, findings or ethical breaches. The primary goal is to ensure accuracy and trust in published research, not to punish authors.

  1. Grounds for Retraction

Articles may be retracted for reasons including but not limited to the following:

  • Clear evidence that the findings are unreliable due to misconduct (e.g., data fabrication or falsification) or honest error (e.g., miscalculation or experimental error).
  • Plagiarism or unauthorized use of materials or data.
  • Redundant publication (i.e., publishing the same data or article in more than one journal without appropriate cross-referencing or justification).
  • Unethical research, including a lack of required ethics approval.
  • Major authorship issues, such as proven ghostwriting or gift authorship, are also discussed.
  • Failure to disclose a major competing interest that could have influenced this work.
  • Legal issues, such as copyright infringement, libel, and privacy violations.
  1. Retraction Process
  • Initiation: Retractions can be initiated by the journal’s editors, authors, or third parties (e.g., readers, institutions) when concerns arise.
  • Investigation: All concerns will be investigated thoroughly by the editorial board, which may consult external experts or relevant institutions, if necessary.
  • Decision: The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the editorial board, has the final authority to retract an article, regardless of author consent.
  • Timing: Retractions should be issued promptly once sufficient evidence is available to minimize the impact of unreliable work.
  1. Retraction Notice

Retraction notices will be:

  • It should be clearly identified as a retraction and distinguishable from other corrections or comments.
  • Be linked to the original article in all online versions and bibliographic databases.
  • Clearly state the title and authors of the retracted article, the reason(s) for the retraction, and who is retracting the article.
  • Be factual, objective, and free from inflammatory language.
  • It should be freely accessible to all readers and not behind paywalls.
  • Indicate if the retraction is due to author error, misconduct, or other reasons, and specify whether all or some authors are responsible.

The original article will remain accessible but will be clearly marked as retracted (e.g., watermarked PDF, retraction note on the HTML version) to maintain the scholarly record.

  1. Expressions of Concern and Corrections
  • If the evidence is inconclusive or an investigation is ongoing, the journal may issue an Expression of Concern to alert readers until a final decision is made.
  • Minor errors that do not invalidate the findings may be addressed through corrections rather than retractions.
  1. Exceptional Circumstances

In rare cases where an article must be removed (e.g., for legal reasons or risk to public health), the journal will retain the article’s metadata and publish a notice explaining the removal.

  1. Transparency and Record-Keeping
  • All retraction decisions and notices will be documented and retained by our journal.
  • Retraction notices will be indexed and linked to all versions and databases to ensure transparency and traceability.
  1. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with best practices and evolving standards, including guidance from the COPE and other international bodies. Impact Compass Journals is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity through clear, fair, and transparent retraction procedures.