Retraction and Corrections Policy

Policy Statement

Biocentra: Journal of Medical and Health Sciences is committed to preserving the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the scholarly record. When significant errors or ethical concerns are identified after publication, the Editorial Board will take appropriate editorial actions, including issuing corrections, expressions of concern, or article retractions, in accordance with internationally accepted publication ethics and the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Correction Policy

A correction may be published when an article contains errors that do not invalidate the overall scientific findings but require clarification or amendment. Corrections may be initiated by authors, editors, reviewers, or readers following editorial assessment.

Examples of Corrections
  • Typographical or formatting errors.
  • Incorrect author affiliations or contact information.
  • Minor errors in tables, figures, or references.
  • Clarifications that do not affect the validity of the scientific conclusions.

Retraction Policy

An article may be retracted when reliable evidence demonstrates that the published work contains significant errors or has violated publication ethics to the extent that the scientific record is compromised.

  • Research misconduct, including data fabrication or data falsification.
  • Plagiarism or duplicate publication.
  • Unethical research involving human participants or animals.
  • Major methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the study's conclusions.
  • Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials.
  • Serious violations of accepted publication ethics.

Expression of Concern

When an investigation is ongoing and sufficient evidence is not yet available to support a correction or retraction, the Editorial Board may publish an Expression of Concern to inform readers of potential issues affecting the reliability or integrity of the published article.

Retraction Procedure

  1. Receipt of a complaint or identification of a potential concern.
  2. Preliminary editorial assessment.
  3. Communication with the corresponding author and, where appropriate, the affiliated institution.
  4. Comprehensive investigation of the allegation.
  5. Editorial decision based on the available evidence.
  6. Publication of a Correction, Expression of Concern, or Retraction Notice when warranted.

Retraction Notice

Retracted articles will remain available as part of the permanent scholarly record but will be clearly marked as Retracted. A formal Retraction Notice will be published explaining the reason for the retraction to maintain transparency and preserve the integrity of the scientific literature.

Author Cooperation

Authors are expected to cooperate fully with the Editorial Board during investigations involving corrections or retractions. Timely communication, transparency, and the provision of supporting information are essential for maintaining the accuracy and credibility of the scholarly record.

Editorial Commitment

Biocentra: Journal of Medical and Health Sciences is committed to correcting the scientific record whenever necessary and to handling all allegations of publication misconduct fairly, transparently, confidentially, and in accordance with internationally recognized ethical standards. Editorial decisions regarding corrections and retractions are made solely to safeguard the integrity of scholarly communication and the interests of the scientific community.