Retraction Policy

Retraction Guidelines: Muallim Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities follows COPE Retraction Guidelines.

Journal editors should consider retracting a publication if:

  • they have clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of misconduct (e.g., data fabrication) or honest error (e.g., miscalculation or experimental error)
  • the findings have previously been published elsewhere without proper crossreferencing, permission or justification (i.e., cases of redundant publication)
  • it constitutes plagiarism
  • it reports unethical research

Journal editors should consider issuing an expression of concern if:

  • they receive inconclusive evidence of research or publication misconduct by the authors
  • there is evidence that the findings are unreliable, but the authors’ institution will not investigate the case
  • they believe that an investigation into alleged misconduct related to the publication either has not been or would not be, fair and impartial or conclusive
  • an investigation is underway, but a judgment will not be available for a considerable time

Journal editors should consider issuing a correction if:

  • a small portion of an otherwise reliable publication proves to be misleading (especially because of honest error)
  • the author/contributor list is incorrect (i.e., a deserving author has been omitted, or somebody who does not meet authorship criteria has been included)

Retractions are not usually appropriate if:

  • a change of authorship is required, but there is no reason to doubt the validity of the findings

Notices of retraction should:

  • be linked to the retracted article wherever possible (i.e., in all electronic versions)
  • clearly identify the retracted article (e.g., by including the title and authors in the retraction heading)
  • be clearly identified as a retraction (i.e., distinct from other types of correction or comment)
  • be published promptly to minimize harmful effects from misleading publications
  • be freely available to all readers (i.e. not behind access barriers or available only to subscribers)
  • state who is retracting the article
  • state the reason(s) for retraction (to distinguish misconduct from honest error)
  • avoid statements that are potentially defamatory or libellous