Following the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE, https://publicationethics.org), the journal is committed to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the published scholarly record. If errors or scientific misconduct are discovered, corrective actions will be taken to inform readers accurately.
Corrections
Minor Errors: Errors that affect the accuracy of the article but do not compromise the overall validity of the results are typically resolved through the publication of a correction. The author is obliged to notify the Editor‑in‑Chief or the publisher immediately upon discovering any significant error or inaccuracy in their published work and to cooperate in the correction process.
Changes to Authorship: Any addition, removal, or change in the order of author names after manuscript submission requires the completion and formal submission of the "Authorship Change Request Form" (https://zenodo.org/records/17750189/files/Authorship_Change_Request_Form.docx?download=1) and obtaining explicit written approval from all authors and the Editor‑in‑Chief. After manuscript acceptance, only minor corrections (e.g., a typographical error in a name) can be considered. Changes to authorship after acceptance or publication will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of all relevant parties. Unauthorised changes may lead to rejection or retraction of the article.
Retractions
Fundamental Errors or Misconduct: In the rare cases where the interpretation or conclusions of an article are substantially undermined due to gross errors (including fraud, falsification, or fabricated data), the article will be retracted. The editorial decision to retract is based on the extent to which confidence in the article's validity is compromised.
Retraction Process: A "Retraction Note" will be published and bidirectionally linked to the original article. The original article remains on the website but is typically marked with a "Retracted" watermark, and the retraction note explains the reason for this action. In severe cases, especially confirmed misconduct, the author's affiliated institution may be informed. This journal follows COPE's retraction guidelines (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/retraction-guidelines).
Expression of Concern
An "Editorial Expression of Concern" (EEoC) is a statement issued by the editors to alert readers to serious concerns about the integrity of a published article, particularly when a long‑term investigation into the research's integrity is underway. These statements are published and indexed, often serving as an interim measure until investigations are complete (which may result in a correction or retraction).
Content Removal
In exceptional circumstances – such as when content is found to be defamatory, violates intellectual property or legal rights, or poses an immediate and serious risk to public health – the journal reserves the right to temporarily or permanently remove the article from its online platforms.
Note on Source Consistency: The provided URL (https://publicationethics.org) is the homepage of COPE. While the homepage itself does not contain the full text of specific retraction guidelines, it serves as the gateway to COPE's extensive resources, including the retraction guidelines, expressions of concern guidance, and other publication ethics resources. Your text's references to COPE guidelines (e.g., for retractions, expressions of concern, and ethical oversight) are fully consistent with COPE's role as the leading international organisation promoting integrity in scholarly publication.
