Policy on Retraction of Published Articles

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Sana'a University Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology

A peer-reviewed, open‑access journal publishing high‑quality research

ISSN 2958-9568 (Online) Monthly Publication Established 2023 CiteScore 2024–25: 2.0
SUJAST
 

POLICY ON RETRACTION OF PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record

 

1. Retraction of a Published Article

Sana'a University Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology (SUJAST) is committed to maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the published scientific record. When credible evidence demonstrates that a published article contains findings, data, methodology, or conclusions that are sufficiently unreliable or invalid, the Journal may retract the article in accordance with recognized publication-ethics principles, including the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The primary purpose of retraction is to correct the scientific record and alert readers to unreliable or invalid research, rather than to punish the authors.
 

2. Grounds for Retraction

The Journal may consider retracting a published article when there is clear and sufficiently convincing evidence that:

  • The principal findings or conclusions are unreliable.
  • The data underlying the findings are unreliable or invalid.
  • A major error in calculations, analysis, or methodology substantially affects the validity of the findings.
  • The methodology is fundamentally flawed or inappropriate to such an extent that the results cannot be considered reliable.
  • The results cannot be reproduced or supported by the underlying data where necessary to establish validity.
  • Data have been fabricated, falsified, manipulated, or selectively presented.
  • Images, figures, tables, or datasets have been manipulated in a manner affecting the validity of the findings.
  • The research violated applicable ethical requirements in a way that materially affects reliability.
  • Substantial plagiarism, redundant publication, or unauthorized use of data affects the integrity of the publication.
  • A major undisclosed conflict of interest is found to have materially affected the findings.
  • The article resulted from a seriously compromised or manipulated peer-review process.
Retraction may be considered whether the underlying problem resulted from honest error, methodological error, negligence, or research misconduct. The determination is based primarily on the reliability of the published record, not solely on the intention or culpability of the authors.
 

3. Retraction Due to Invalid Results or Methodology

Where credible evidence indicates that the principal results or conclusions of a published article are invalid because of a fundamental methodological problem, serious analytical error, or unreliable data, the Editor-in-Chief may initiate a formal editorial assessment. A retraction may be issued even where the authors acted in good faith and the problem resulted from an honest scientific or methodological error.

Retraction Warranted The principal findings or conclusions can no longer be considered reliable — the reliability of the published record is materially compromised.
Correction Preferred The problem affects only a limited portion of an otherwise reliable article, and the principal findings and conclusions remain valid.
This distinction is intended to ensure that retraction is reserved for cases in which the reliability of the published scientific record is materially compromised.
 

4. Post-Publication Comments and Evidence of Unreliability

A Comment, Authors' Reply, or Follow-up Comment may draw attention to potential problems with a published article. Such correspondence does not, by itself, constitute grounds for retraction.

When a Comment or Follow-up Comment presents credible evidence of unreliability, the Editor-in-Chief will assess the evidence and may:

  1. Request clarification or additional information from the authors.
  2. Request relevant supporting data, methodological information, or documentation.
  3. Seek advice from an independent subject-matter expert.
  4. Request an institutional investigation where appropriate.
  5. Publish an Expression of Concern if reliability is in serious doubt but evidence is not yet conclusive.
  6. Issue a Retraction when there is sufficient evidence that the published findings or conclusions are unreliable.
The Journal will not retract an article solely because a commenter disagrees with the authors' interpretation, methodology, or conclusions. Retraction requires sufficiently compelling evidence that the reliability of the published record has been materially compromised.
 

5. Relationship with Institutional Investigations

Where allegations may involve research misconduct, the Journal may contact the authors' institution or other appropriate research-integrity authority and may request that the matter be investigated. The Journal may, where appropriate, issue an Expression of Concern while an investigation is pending if there is a serious and credible concern about the reliability of the published findings.

However, the Journal does not necessarily have to wait for the completion of an institutional investigation before taking action to protect the integrity of the published scientific record where there is already clear evidence that the findings are unreliable. The Journal reserves the right to make its own editorial decision regarding correction, expression of concern, or retraction based on the evidence available to it.

 

6. Retraction Notice

When an article is retracted, the Journal will publish a separate Retraction Notice that:

  • Clearly identifies the retracted article, including title, authors, and bibliographic information.
  • Is clearly labelled as a Retraction.
  • Is permanently linked to the original article.
  • Explains clearly and objectively the reason(s) for the retraction.
  • Distinguishes, where relevant, between honest error and suspected or established misconduct.
  • Identifies the party responsible for initiating the retraction where appropriate.
  • Avoids defamatory, accusatory, or inflammatory language.
  • Remains freely accessible to readers.
  • Preserves the original publication record while clearly indicating its retracted status.
The original article will not normally be removed from the Journal's online archive. Instead, it will remain accessible with a prominent and unambiguous RETRACTED notice and a link to the Retraction Notice.
 

7. Retraction Does Not Necessarily Imply Misconduct

Retraction does not necessarily mean that the authors engaged in research misconduct. An article may be retracted because of an honest error, major methodological error, incorrect analysis, unreliable data, or other circumstances that render the principal findings or conclusions unreliable.

Where there is no evidence of misconduct, the Retraction Notice will state the scientific or methodological reason for the retraction without attributing blame to the authors.
 

8. Expression of Concern

When the Journal has serious concerns about the reliability of a published article but does not yet have sufficient evidence to justify a retraction or correction, the Editor-in-Chief may publish an Expression of Concern. This may be appropriate while:

  • An institutional investigation is ongoing.
  • Additional evidence is being sought.
  • The available evidence is inconclusive.
  • The Journal is unable to reach a sufficiently reliable conclusion at that stage.
An Expression of Concern is an interim editorial notification and is not a substitute for a Retraction or Correction where either becomes justified.
 

9. Editorial Authority

The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the relevant editors and, where necessary, independent experts, has the authority to determine whether a published article should be corrected, accompanied by an Expression of Concern, or retracted. The Journal will base such decisions on the available evidence and on the principle of protecting the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record.

Where appropriate, the Journal may consult the authors, reviewers, institutional authorities, data repositories, or other relevant parties before reaching a final decision.

 

10. Post-Retraction Status

A retracted article remains part of the Journal's historical record but must not continue to be presented as a valid contribution to the scientific literature. Its retracted status should be clearly indicated, wherever technically possible, in:

  • Article metadata
  • Indexing information
  • The DOI record
  • The online version
The Journal will take reasonable steps to ensure that readers, indexing services, and other users of the scholarly record are able to distinguish the retracted article from valid publications.
 

11. Final Principle

SUJAST considers the correction and, when necessary, retraction of unreliable publications to be an essential part of responsible scholarly publishing. The Journal's primary obligation is to maintain a trustworthy scientific record. Accordingly, when clear evidence demonstrates that the principal findings, data, methodology, or conclusions of a published article are unreliable, the Journal will take appropriate corrective action without undue delay and in accordance with recognized publication-ethics standards.