Post-Publication Discussions corrections and retractions

Al‑Rafidain Dental Journal is committed to preserving the integrity and accuracy of the scholarly record. We follow the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when handling post-publication issues, including corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern.

Principles for Issuing Retractions and Corrections

  • Ensure transparency, timeliness, and accountability.

  • Maintain clear linkage between the correction/retraction notice and the original article (with a cross-reference).

  • The original article remains accessible (digitally watermarked or labeled as retracted), to preserve the scholarly record.

  • Notices must be freely accessible, regardless of article access status.

 

Post-Publication Discussions: RDENTJ recognizes the importance of post-publication discussions as a means to enhance scholarly discourse and address any concerns or questions raised by the academic community. Authors, readers, and stakeholders are encouraged to engage in constructive discussions related to published articles through various channels, including letters to the editor, comments sections, or scholarly forums.

Fabricating and stating false information
To ensure the scholarly integrity of every article, Al-Rafidain Dental Journal post-publication notice. The authors of the published articles, or those who have submitted the manuscripts with false information, or fabricated the supporting data or images, will be liable for sanctions, and their papers will be retracted.

Corrections and Retractions: In cases where errors, inaccuracies, or ethical concerns are identified in published articles, RDENTJ follows COPE guidelines for corrections and retractions. Authors or readers can bring such issues to the attention of the editorial board, and upon thorough investigation and verification, appropriate actions are taken.

-Corrections

Minor errors or discrepancies identified post-publication are addressed through published corrections or errata. These corrections are identified, and the corrected version is made available online, with a note indicating the changes made.

Correction Notice
Al-Rafidain Dental Journal will issue a correction notice in case of any correction or omission causing a change in the interpretation of the article. This applies to cases, including mislabeled figures, missing integral funding and/or other information, and authors' competing interests.

There can be major or minor errors/ corrections. Major inaccuracies or omissions are changes that affect the clarity and integrity of an article. Minor errors do not affect the overall meaning of the text.

A separate correction notice will accompany the major errors/ corrections. The correction notice will provide precise details of the mistakes and the revisions/alterations that have been incorporated in the final version.


To rectify the significant error or omission, the journal will:
- Amend the online version of the article.
- Issue a separate correction notice that will be connected to the revised version of the article.
- Add a footnote to the article, which will be hyperlinked to the correction notice.

-Correction Process

  • The correction request is submitted by the author or discovered by the editor/reviewer.

  • Editorial review determines if the issue merits a correction.

  • A Correction Notice is published with:

    • A clear description of the error and correction.

    • Reference to the original article.

  • The online version is updated and noted as corrected (with date).

-Retractions

1-When to Retract

Retraction is warranted if:

  • There is clear evidence of misconduct, such as plagiarism, data fabrication/falsification.

  • Findings are unreliable due to error (honest or intentional).

  • Research or publication was conducted without proper ethical approval.

  • The article is a duplicate publication or was published in error.

  • The author fails to disclose a conflict of interest affecting the interpretation.

2-Retraction Process

  • The editorial team initiates an investigation following COPE flowcharts.

  • Authors are informed and given a chance to respond.

  • If retraction is confirmed:

    • A formal Retraction Notice is published.

    • The article PDF is marked as "Retracted" on every page.

    • The metadata is updated with the retraction status.

3-Content of a Retraction Notice

  • Title: “Retraction: [Full original article title]”

  • Authors and citation of the original article.

  • Who is retracting the article (e.g., authors, editor, publisher).

  • Clear reason for the retraction.

  • Statement on whether misconduct was involved.

  • A link to the original article.

Transparency and Accountability: RDENTJ values transparency and accountability in all post-publication discussions, corrections, and retractions. We aim to ensure that the scientific record remains accurate and reliable, and that any concerns or issues are addressed promptly and responsibly. RDENTJ upholds the highest standards of publication ethics and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of dentistry.

Manipulation of Citations
Adding the name of an author with just the aim of increasing the number of citations to a research work or the manuscripts previously published in a particular journal may result in sanctions for the author. Similarly, the editors and reviewers should not encourage authors to add references just to increase citations to their own or an associate’s work, to the journal, or to another journal they are associated with.

-Expression of Concern

Used when:

  • There is inconclusive evidence of misconduct.

  • Delayed investigations prevent timely retraction or correction.

  • Editors lack sufficient information to determine whether a retraction is necessary.

Policy Review

This guideline is reviewed annually and updated in accordance with COPE developments and journal policy evolution.