Corrections and Retractions

Corrections and Retractions

Our Dermatology Online is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the published scholarly record.

The journal recognizes that errors may occasionally be identified after publication. Depending on the nature and significance of an error or concern, the journal may publish a correction, an editorial notice, an expression of concern, or a retraction.

The purpose of post-publication notices is to maintain the integrity and reliability of the scholarly record.

Corrections

A correction may be published when an error in a published article affects the accuracy, clarity, or completeness of the article but does not invalidate its principal findings or conclusions.

Corrections may concern, for example:

• author names or affiliations;
• bibliographic information;
• figures, tables, or captions;
• typographical or factual errors;
• references;
• methodological or other information where the correction does not invalidate the main conclusions.

When appropriate, the correction will clearly identify the article affected and describe the nature of the change.

The correction notice will be linked to the original article.

Where technically possible, the online version of the article will be corrected while maintaining a clear record of the change. The journal will not silently alter the published record in a way that conceals a substantive post-publication change.

Publisher or Production Errors

Errors introduced by the journal during editorial, typesetting, production, or publication processes will be corrected by the journal.

Authors will not be charged for corrections required because of an error introduced by the journal.

Such corrections may be issued as a correction notice or by updating the published article, depending on the nature of the error.

Author-Requested Technical Corrections

Authors may request technical or formatting changes after publication.

Where the requested change is not the result of an error introduced by the journal and requires additional editorial or production work, an optional fee may apply.

Any applicable fee will be communicated to the author before the requested work is undertaken.

Author-requested technical corrections are not a condition of publication and have no influence on editorial decisions.

Corrections relating to the scientific accuracy or integrity of a published article are handled under this policy and are not treated merely as a paid technical service.

Retractions

A published article may be retracted when the journal determines that the article’s findings or conclusions are sufficiently unreliable or that serious concerns exist regarding the integrity, ethics, or publication history of the work.

Reasons for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

• major errors that invalidate the findings or conclusions;
• fabrication or falsification of data;
• serious plagiarism;
• substantial duplicate or redundant publication;
• manipulation of the peer-review process;
• unethical research;
• serious violations of informed consent or research ethics;
• serious undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the article;
• substantial copyright or legal problems;
• other circumstances that seriously compromise the reliability or integrity of the published work.

Retraction is intended to correct the scholarly record and alert readers to unreliable or seriously compromised content. It is not intended primarily as a punishment of authors.

The journal may consider retraction following an internal editorial assessment, information provided by authors or readers, reviewer concerns, institutional findings, or other credible evidence.

Where appropriate, the journal may seek information or clarification from the authors’ institutions or other relevant organisations.

Retraction Notices

A retraction will be accompanied by a clearly identified retraction notice.

The notice will:

• identify the retracted article, including its title and authors;
• identify the article’s bibliographic information and persistent identifier where available;
• clearly state that the article has been retracted;
• explain the reason or reasons for the retraction;
• identify who is issuing the retraction;
• be publicly accessible without charge;
• be linked to the original article wherever technically possible.

Retraction notices will use objective and factual language.

The journal will not remove the original article from the scholarly record solely because it has been retracted, unless removal is required for legal or other exceptional reasons.

Where the original article remains online, it will be clearly marked as retracted.

Expression of Concern

When the journal has substantial concerns about the reliability or integrity of a published article but does not yet have sufficient information to issue a correction or retraction, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern.

An Expression of Concern may be appropriate while:

• an institutional investigation is ongoing;
• relevant evidence is being evaluated;
• the journal is seeking clarification from authors or institutions;
• the reliability of published findings cannot yet be adequately determined.

The notice will be linked to the affected article and will be updated or followed by an appropriate correction or retraction when the matter has been resolved.

Post-Publication Concerns

Readers, authors, reviewers, editors, institutions, and other interested parties may notify the journal of a potential error or concern regarding a published article.

Notifications should provide:

• the title of the article;
• the article URL or DOI, where available;
• a clear description of the concern;
• supporting evidence or references, where applicable;
• the contact details of the person raising the concern.

The journal will assess credible concerns and may request additional information before deciding what action, if any, is appropriate.

The identity of individuals raising concerns will be treated confidentially where appropriate, subject to applicable legal and ethical requirements.

Research Misconduct and Institutional Investigations

When a concern involves possible research misconduct, the journal may follow the relevant guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Where an investigation by an institution, research organisation, ethics committee, or other competent body is relevant, the journal may take the findings of that investigation into consideration.

The journal may also contact the relevant institution when appropriate.

The journal’s editorial decision is independent of any institutional investigation, although relevant findings may inform the journal’s actions.

Authorship Corrections

Requests to correct authorship information after publication will be considered where there is credible evidence that the published authorship information is incorrect.

Changes to authorship may require confirmation or agreement from all affected authors and, where appropriate, institutional documentation.

Authorship disputes will not be resolved solely on the basis of a request from one individual where the facts remain contested.

Where necessary, the journal may refer the matter to the relevant institution.

Appeals Concerning Post-Publication Decisions

Authors may contact the journal if they believe that a post-publication decision was based on a significant factual or procedural error.

Any appeal should explain the specific grounds for reconsideration and provide relevant supporting information.

An appeal does not guarantee that a decision will be reversed.

The journal may decline repeated appeals that do not provide new substantive information.

Relationship to the Published Record

The journal aims to ensure that corrections, retractions, and other post-publication notices remain permanently linked to the affected publication wherever technically possible.

The journal will maintain a transparent record of substantive post-publication changes.

The purpose of these procedures is to ensure that readers can determine the current status and reliability of published scholarly content.

Publication Ethics

Post-publication decisions are made in accordance with the journal’s editorial policies and recognised publication-ethics principles, including applicable COPE guidance.

Our Dermatology Online reserves the right to take appropriate action when credible evidence indicates that the integrity, reliability, or ethical status of published content has been compromised.