Maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the published record.
The published article is the version of record. To preserve the integrity of the scholarly literature, we correct and, where necessary, retract published work transparently and in accordance with COPE guidance. The original article is never silently changed or deleted.
Where a published article contains an error that affects the record but not its overall validity or conclusions, we publish a correction:
Corrections are linked to the original article and clearly labelled.
Where a credible concern about a published article is under investigation but not yet resolved, an editorial expression of concern may be published to alert readers.
Where findings are unreliable — due to major error, misconduct, or ethical breaches — an article may be retracted. A retraction notice is published and linked to the article, which remains available and clearly marked as retracted so the record is transparent.
Authors wishing to withdraw a manuscript during review should contact the editorial office promptly. Articles that have been published cannot be “withdrawn”; concerns are addressed through correction or retraction.
Authors and readers may request a correction or raise a concern by contacting [email protected] with the article details and a description of the issue.