Retraction and Correction

Indonesian Journal of Socio-Cultural Learning (IJSL) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record. When significant errors, reliability concerns, or ethical issues are identified after publication, the journal may issue a Correction, Retraction, Expression of Concern, or, in exceptional circumstances, remove published content.

Post-publication actions are intended to correct the scholarly record and inform readers transparently. They are not primarily punitive measures. Decisions are based on the nature of the problem, its effect on the reliability of the publication, and the available evidence.

General matters concerning research and publication misconduct are governed by the journal's Publication Ethics.

1. Corrections

A formal correction may be issued when an error is identified in a published article but the overall findings, interpretation, and scholarly reliability of the article remain valid.

Corrections may be appropriate for substantive errors involving:

  • numerical or statistical information;

  • figures, tables, or captions;

  • author names or affiliations;

  • factual statements;

  • methodological descriptions;

  • acknowledgments or funding information;

  • references or citation details; or

  • other elements that could affect interpretation or accurate use of the published work.

Minor typographical, grammatical, or formatting errors that do not affect the scholarly meaning of the article will not normally require a formal correction.

A correction notice will clearly identify the affected article, describe the error, and state the corrected information.

Where technically appropriate, the online article may also be updated. Any substantive modification must remain transparent so that the publication history is not obscured.

2. Author Corrections

Authors who identify a significant error in their published article should contact the IJSL editorial office as soon as possible.

A request for correction should explain:

  • the nature of the error;

  • where the error occurs;

  • the correct information; and

  • whether the error affects any findings, interpretation, or conclusions.

The editorial team will determine whether a formal correction is necessary.

Author requests do not automatically result in a correction. Editorial action depends on the significance of the issue and its effect on the published record.

3. Retractions

An article may be retracted when its findings, evidence, conclusions, or publication integrity can no longer reasonably be considered reliable.

Grounds for retraction may include:

  • fabrication or falsification of data or evidence;

  • serious methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the main conclusions;

  • plagiarism or substantial unattributed reproduction;

  • duplicate or redundant publication that materially compromises the record;

  • fraudulent or manipulated peer review;

  • serious ethical violations;

  • unauthorized use of data or other research material;

  • substantial manipulation of images, interviews, quotations, participants, or other evidence;

  • unreliable findings resulting from misconduct or serious error; or

  • other circumstances in which continued reliance on the article would materially mislead readers.

Retraction may result from deliberate misconduct or honest error. Where possible, the retraction notice will distinguish between these circumstances.

4. Retraction Requests

Retraction concerns may be raised by:

  • authors;

  • editors;

  • reviewers;

  • readers;

  • research participants;

  • academic or research institutions;

  • funding organizations; or

  • other parties providing credible evidence.

Requests must contain sufficient information to allow an initial editorial assessment.

The journal may request clarification, supporting evidence, relevant data, institutional findings, or other documentation before making a decision.

The final decision to retract an article rests with the journal's editorial leadership. A retraction may be issued even when one or more authors disagree, provided that sufficient evidence demonstrates that the integrity or reliability of the article has been seriously compromised.

5. Retraction Notice

When an article is retracted, IJSL will publish a clearly identifiable Retraction Notice linked to the original publication.

The notice will normally:

  • identify the retracted article;

  • provide its title, author information, publication details, and DOI where applicable;

  • clearly state that the article has been retracted;

  • explain the principal reason for the retraction;

  • indicate who initiated or issued the retraction;

  • distinguish honest error from misconduct where this can be responsibly established; and

  • avoid speculative, defamatory, or unnecessarily accusatory language.

The Retraction Notice will remain permanently accessible as part of the scholarly record.

6. Status of Retracted Articles

Retracted articles will ordinarily remain available online.

The original article will be clearly and prominently marked as Retracted, and readers will be directed to the corresponding Retraction Notice.

Bibliographic metadata will normally be preserved to maintain the transparency and traceability of the publication record.

Retraction therefore does not mean that an article is erased from the scholarly record. Its purpose is to make clear that the publication should no longer be relied upon as valid scholarly evidence.

7. Partial Corrections and Retraction

Where only a clearly identifiable and limited component of an article is affected, the journal will determine whether a correction is sufficient or whether the reliability of the publication as a whole has been compromised.

IJSL will not use partial retraction merely as a mechanism to avoid retracting an article whose central findings are unreliable.

Where the principal conclusions remain valid, a transparent correction is generally preferable. Where the main findings cannot be trusted, retraction is the appropriate action.

8. Expression of Concern

IJSL may publish an Expression of Concern when serious questions arise about a published article but sufficient evidence is not yet available to justify correction or retraction.

An Expression of Concern may be appropriate when:

  • evidence regarding possible misconduct is inconclusive;

  • an institutional investigation is ongoing;

  • substantial concerns exist regarding the reliability of the article;

  • necessary information cannot yet be obtained;

  • an institution has failed to conduct an adequate investigation; or

  • resolution of the issue is likely to require a significant period of time.

An Expression of Concern is intended to alert readers to unresolved questions without prematurely reaching conclusions.

9. Resolution of an Expression of Concern

When sufficient information becomes available, an Expression of Concern may be followed by:

  • no further action;

  • a clarification;

  • a correction;

  • a retraction; or

  • another appropriate editorial notice.

Where concerns are resolved and the publication remains reliable, IJSL may publish a statement explaining that the matter has been concluded.

10. Article Removal

Complete removal of published content is reserved for exceptional circumstances.

Removal may be considered when continued public access would create serious legal, privacy, ethical, or safety consequences, including circumstances involving:

  • a legally enforceable court order;

  • unlawful disclosure of confidential information;

  • serious violations of personal privacy;

  • publication of information that creates a substantial risk of harm;

  • clearly unlawful or defamatory material; or

  • other extraordinary legal or ethical requirements.

Retraction, rather than removal, remains the journal's standard mechanism for correcting unreliable scholarly content.

11. Notice Following Article Removal

Where an article must be removed, IJSL will normally retain a bibliographic record and publish a notice indicating that the content is no longer available.

The notice will explain the reason for removal to the extent legally and ethically permissible.

Metadata may be retained where necessary to preserve the integrity and traceability of the scholarly record.

12. Editorial Assessment

When a credible post-publication concern is received, the journal will conduct an initial assessment to determine:

  • the nature of the concern;

  • the reliability of the supporting evidence;

  • the potential effect on the published findings; and

  • the appropriate next step.

Authors may be invited to respond and provide relevant documentation.

Where a formal investigation by an institution or another competent body is necessary, IJSL may seek information from that body while retaining responsibility for determining what action is required to protect the published record.

13. Interim Action

Where a concern is sufficiently serious but cannot be resolved immediately, the journal may take interim action.

This may include:

  • temporarily flagging the publication;

  • publishing an Expression of Concern;

  • requesting additional documentation; or

  • awaiting the outcome of a relevant institutional investigation.

Interim measures should not imply that misconduct has been established before sufficient evidence is available.

14. Institutional Investigations

IJSL may cooperate with universities, research institutions, ethics committees, funding bodies, or other competent organizations when allegations require formal investigation beyond the journal's authority.

The journal does not ordinarily determine institutional disciplinary responsibility. Its principal responsibility is to determine whether the scholarly record requires correction, retraction, clarification, or another editorial action.

Where institutional findings are available, the editorial team will evaluate their implications for the published article.

15. Authorship Issues

Authorship disputes alone do not normally justify retraction when the research findings remain reliable.

Where an authorship record is demonstrated to be incorrect, a correction may be issued in accordance with the journal's Authorship and Contributorship Policy.

If an authorship dispute is connected to broader concerns regarding research integrity or the reliability of the publication, additional editorial action may be considered.

16. Retraction and Generative AI

Where Generative AI use contributes to fabrication, falsification, undisclosed synthetic evidence, or another serious compromise of a published article, the matter will be assessed according to this policy and the journal's Generative AI Policy.

The use of AI alone is not a basis for retraction. The relevant question is whether the use of AI materially compromises the accuracy, transparency, ethical integrity, or reliability of the published work.

17. Metadata and Indexing

Where a correction, retraction, or Expression of Concern is issued, IJSL will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the status of the publication is reflected in:

  • the journal website;

  • article metadata;

  • DOI records, where applicable; and

  • relevant indexing or abstracting services where technically possible.

Post-publication notices will be linked to the original article to support accurate citation and scholarly interpretation.

18. Appeals

Authors may appeal a correction or retraction decision when they believe that:

  • significant evidence was not adequately considered;

  • a material factual error affected the decision; or

  • a substantial procedural irregularity occurred.

Appeals must provide specific and substantive grounds for reconsideration.

The procedure for submitting and evaluating appeals is governed by the journal's Complaints and Appeals Policy.

19. Transparency and Permanence of the Scholarly Record

All formal post-publication notices will be clearly identified, permanently accessible, and linked to the affected article wherever technically possible.

IJSL will not silently alter the scholarly record in ways that conceal substantive changes.

The journal seeks to ensure that corrections are distinguishable from retractions, that unresolved concerns are clearly identified, and that readers can readily determine the current status of a publication.

20. Guiding Principle

The central purpose of post-publication correction is to ensure that the scholarly literature remains as accurate and reliable as reasonably possible.

IJSL will therefore select the least disruptive editorial action capable of adequately correcting the scholarly record:

Correction when the article remains substantially reliable;

Expression of Concern when serious questions remain unresolved;

Retraction when the article can no longer be relied upon; and

Removal only in exceptional circumstances where continued access itself creates serious legal, ethical, privacy, or safety risks.

This policy is informed by internationally recognized principles concerning correction, retraction, post-publication integrity, and maintenance of the scholarly record, including guidance provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).