Retractions: guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

Abstract

Journal editors should consider retracting a publication if:

• they have clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of misconduct (eg, data fabrication) or honest error (eg, miscalculation or experimental error)

• the findings have previously been published elsewhere without proper cross-referencing, permission or justification (ie, cases of redundant publication)

• it constitutes plagiarism

• it reports unethical research

Journal editors should consider issuing an expression of concern if:

• they receive inconclusive evidence of research or publication misconduct by the authors

• there is evidence that the findings are unreliable but the authors’ institution will not investigate the case

• they believe that an investigation into alleged misconduct related to the publication either has not been, or would not be, fair and impartial or conclusive

• an investigation is under way but a judgement will not be available for a considerable time

Journal editors should consider issuing a correction if:

• a small portion of an otherwise reliable publication proves to be misleading (especially because of honest error)

• the author / contributor list is incorrect (ie, a deserving author has been omitted or somebody who does not meet authorship criteria has been included)

Retractions are not usually appropriate if:

• a change of authorship is required but there is no reason to doubt the validity of the findings

Notices of retraction should:

• be linked to the retracted article wherever possible (ie, in all electronic versions)

• clearly identify the retracted article (eg, by including the title and authors in the retraction heading)

• be clearly identified as a retraction (ie, distinct from other types of correction or comment)

• be published promptly to minimize harmful effects from misleading publications

• be freely available to all readers (ie, not behind access barriers or available only to subscribers)

• state who is retracting the article

• state the reason(s) for retraction (to distinguish misconduct from honest error)

• avoid statements that are potentially defamatory or libellous