Retraction and Correction Policy

Feedback International Journal of Communication (FIJC)

The Feedback International Journal of Communication (FIJC) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, transparency, and reliability of the scholarly record. When errors or ethical issues are identified in published articles, the journal will take appropriate corrective actions in accordance with the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that readers are informed of significant changes affecting the validity, interpretation, or integrity of published research.

Corrections

A correction is issued when a published article contains an error that does not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions of the work. Corrections may be initiated by authors, editors, reviewers, or readers.

Examples include:

  • Typographical errors affecting interpretation.

  • Errors in author names or affiliations.

  • Incorrect correspondence information.

  • Minor errors in tables, figures, or references.

  • Formatting or production errors introduced during publication.

  • Omissions of acknowledgements or funding information.

When a correction is necessary, FIJC will publish a Correction Notice (Erratum or Corrigendum) that is permanently linked to the original article. The original article will remain accessible, and the correction will clearly describe the changes made.

Erratum

An Erratum is issued when the error originated from the journal's editorial or production process. Examples include:

  • Layout mistakes.

  • Typesetting errors.

  • Publisher-introduced formatting problems.

  • Incorrect metadata assigned during publication.

Corrigendum

A Corrigendum is issued when the error originated from the author(s). Examples include:

  • Incorrect data labeling.

  • Misreported values that do not alter the main conclusions.

  • Author information corrections.

  • Reference inaccuracies.

Authors are expected to notify the Editorial Office promptly upon discovering any error in their published work.

Retractions

A retraction is issued when a published article contains serious flaws or ethical violations that render its findings unreliable or invalidate the publication.

Retractions may be initiated by:

  • The author(s).

  • The Editor-in-Chief.

  • The Editorial Board.

  • The publisher.

  • The authors' institution.

  • Research integrity bodies or relevant authorities.

Grounds for Retraction

FIJC may retract an article in cases involving, but not limited to:

  • Plagiarism.

  • Duplicate or redundant publication.

  • Data fabrication.

  • Data falsification.

  • Image manipulation affecting scientific integrity.

  • Major methodological errors invalidating the results.

  • Unethical research practices.

  • Lack of required ethical approval.

  • Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials.

  • Fraudulent authorship claims.

  • Peer review manipulation.

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest that significantly affect the publication.

Retraction Process

Before retracting an article, the journal will:

  1. Conduct a thorough investigation.

  2. Contact the corresponding author for an explanation.

  3. Allow all authors an opportunity to respond.

  4. Consult independent experts when necessary.

  5. Follow COPE guidelines for fair and transparent decision-making.

Retraction decisions are made based on evidence and are not influenced by the authors' institutional affiliation, nationality, seniority, or funding source.

Retraction Notice

When an article is retracted, FIJC will publish a Retraction Notice that:

  • Clearly identifies the retracted article.

  • States the reason for the retraction.

  • Indicates who initiated the retraction.

  • Remains permanently available online.

  • Is linked to the original article.

The original article will not be removed from the journal website except in exceptional legal circumstances. Instead, it will be clearly marked as Retracted to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

Expression of Concern

In situations where:

  • An investigation is ongoing,

  • Evidence is inconclusive,

  • Institutional inquiries have not yet been completed, or

  • Serious concerns exist but cannot yet be confirmed,

FIJC may publish an Expression of Concern to alert readers while the matter is being investigated.

The Expression of Concern may later be followed by:

  • A correction,

  • A retraction, or

  • A statement confirming that no further action is required.

Article Removal

FIJC generally does not remove published articles from the public record. Removal will only occur in exceptional circumstances, such as:

  • Court orders.

  • Legal requirements.

  • Defamation judgments.

  • Serious violations of privacy rights.

  • Copyright infringement that cannot be resolved through correction.

When removal is necessary, a notice explaining the reason for removal will remain in place of the article whenever legally permitted.

Replacement Articles

If a published article is found to be seriously misleading due to an honest error, and the authors provide a corrected and reliable version, the journal may consider publishing a replacement article. The relationship between the original and replacement versions will be clearly documented.

Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for:

  • Ensuring the accuracy of their published work.

  • Promptly reporting discovered errors.

  • Cooperating fully during investigations.

  • Providing original data when requested.

  • Assisting in the preparation of correction notices when appropriate.

Failure to cooperate may influence the journal's editorial decisions.

Editorial Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board are responsible for:

  • Investigating reported concerns objectively.

  • Maintaining confidentiality during investigations.

  • Protecting the integrity of the scholarly record.

  • Issuing corrections or retractions when warranted.

  • Ensuring transparency in editorial decisions.

Indexing and Crossmark Updates

When corrections or retractions are published, FIJC will update relevant metadata and notify indexing and abstracting services whenever applicable. The journal will also maintain accurate Crossref records to ensure that readers and citation databases are informed of publication status changes.

Commitment to Publication Integrity

FIJC is dedicated to preserving the trust of researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the wider academic community. Corrections and retractions are issued not as punitive measures, but as mechanisms to ensure that the scientific literature remains accurate, transparent, and trustworthy.

The journal encourages all members of the scholarly community to report suspected errors or ethical concerns and to participate actively in maintaining the integrity of academic publishing.