Discover STM Publishing Ltd is committed to the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. This policy explains how published errors, integrity concerns and allegations of research or publication misconduct are handled across journals published or hosted on the Discover STM Publishing Ltd platform, subject to the responsibilities of each journal, the publisher and relevant institutions.
A public correction is appropriate when a material error needs amendment or clarification but the article’s principal findings remain reliable. Trivial typographical changes that do not affect interpretation may not require a formal notice. Authors and readers should notify the relevant journal editor, who will assess the issue and arrange publication promptly, normally within 30 days of confirmation where feasible. The freely accessible notice should identify the article, explain the change clearly and link to the original publication; where practical, the article record should indicate that a correction exists. Complex cases may take longer to resolve.
An Expression of Concern may be appropriate when substantial concerns about a published article’s reliability or integrity remain unresolved, especially if an investigation is delayed, inconclusive or cannot promptly be completed. It is not a finding of misconduct, and not every unresolved allegation requires one. A readily accessible notice should identify and link to the article, describe the concern without unsupported accusation, and be reviewed when reliable new information becomes available. It should be updated or followed by another appropriate notice when warranted.
Retraction may be appropriate when serious errors or integrity problems make the published work unreliable, including major error, fabrication or falsification, serious plagiarism, inappropriate redundant publication, unethical research or other substantial concerns. It primarily corrects the scholarly record and does not necessarily establish intentional misconduct. The journal should assess whether the work can be reliably corrected; if principal findings remain valid, a correction may suffice, while invalidating problems may warrant retraction. A freely accessible, permanent notice should identify the article and issuing journal or editor, explain the reason, and link to the original work. The original article should normally remain accessible and be prominently marked Retracted, except where exceptional legal, privacy or safety reasons require removal. Editors should consider current COPE retraction guidance.
Concerns about an article or its authors should ordinarily be sent to the relevant journal editor. Allegations of research or publication misconduct will be assessed fairly, confidentially and proportionately; an allegation is not a finding. The editor will make an initial assessment of the concern and available evidence, may request explanations or documentation from authors and other relevant parties, and may involve Discover STM Publishing Ltd. Concerns may include fabrication or falsification, plagiarism, inappropriate image or data manipulation, redundant publication, authorship misrepresentation, undisclosed competing interests, unethical research or serious peer-review manipulation. Ordinary differences of scientific opinion are not automatically misconduct. Where formal investigation of research conduct is needed, the editor or publisher may refer evidence to the relevant institution or competent body. Material conflicts of interest must be managed so that an implicated editor is not the sole decision-maker. The journal will document and communicate an appropriate outcome and consider proportionate editorial or post-publication action based on evidence and circumstances. Substantial new evidence or a material procedural error may warrant reconsideration of a prior decision.
A genuine authorship disagreement is not automatically misconduct. The journal may check whether its procedures were followed and may pause processing, but unresolved questions of who deserves authorship should normally be referred to the relevant institution or other appropriate body. Deliberate ghost, gift or guest authorship or falsified contribution information may warrant a separate integrity assessment under the publisher’s procedures. See Authorship Criteria for the detailed policy.
Corrections, Expressions of Concern and retractions serve different purposes and should be labelled accordingly. Each public notice should identify the original article, the nature of the issue, the editorial action, the notice date and the issuing journal. Notices and affected articles should be clearly linked and readily accessible. Where the publishing infrastructure supports it, the article record and relevant metadata should reflect its current status so readers and indexing systems can identify the notice.
To report an error or concern about an article or its authors, contact the relevant journal editor. Concerns involving a journal editor, editorial staff, a material conflict in handling an investigation, or publisher conduct may be raised directly with Discover STM Publishing Ltd through its Contact page.
For related ethical duties and editorial principles, consult:
COPE expressions of concern guidance
Ethical Policies of Discover STM Publishing Ltd
Publication Ethics and Code of Conduct
Last reviewed: October 2026
Policy responsibility: Discover STM Publishing Ltd
