The journal is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency and integrity of the scholarly record. Where errors, unreliable findings or concerns relating to research or publication ethics are identified in submitted or published work, the journal will take appropriate action in accordance with its editorial policies and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

 

Concurrent and Redundant Submission

Manuscripts submitted to the journal must not be under consideration by another journal at the same time.

Authors must disclose any previous publication, submission or dissemination of material that substantially overlaps with the submitted manuscript where this information is relevant to editorial assessment.

The journal also does not permit redundant or duplicate publication, including publication of substantially the same findings in more than one article without appropriate disclosure, reference or justification.

The publication of more than one article arising from the same research project is not in itself prohibited, provided that each manuscript makes a sufficiently distinct scholarly contribution and any relevant overlap with related publications is transparently disclosed and appropriately cited.

Where concurrent submission or substantial undisclosed overlap is suspected, the journal will investigate the matter before taking an editorial decision. Depending on the circumstances, the manuscript may be rejected or, if already published, appropriate post-publication action may be taken.

 

Citation Manipulation

The journal does not permit citation manipulation, including the inappropriate addition of references primarily for the purpose of artificially increasing citation counts.

Authors must not be required or encouraged to cite articles solely to increase citations to:

• their own publications;
• articles published in the journal;
• publications of editors or reviewers; or
• particular authors, journals or organisations.

Requests for additional citations made during peer review or editorial assessment must be based on genuine scholarly relevance.

Suspected citation manipulation will be assessed by the Editorial Office and may result in rejection of a manuscript or other appropriate action where the concern is substantiated.

 

Data Fabrication, Falsification and Image Manipulation

The journal does not tolerate fabrication or falsification of research data, results or other research materials.

Inappropriate manipulation of images, figures or other research records that could misrepresent the underlying data is also unacceptable.

Where concerns arise, the journal may request original data, images, laboratory records, analytical outputs or other supporting documentation necessary to assess the reliability of the work.

If fabrication, falsification or inappropriate manipulation is substantiated before publication, the manuscript may be rejected. If reliable evidence emerges after publication that the findings are unreliable, the journal will consider appropriate action, including correction or retraction, depending on the nature and extent of the problem.

 

Investigation of Suspected Misconduct

Concerns relating to possible research or publication misconduct will be assessed on the basis of the available evidence and in accordance with relevant journal policies and COPE guidance.

The journal will seek appropriate information from the author(s) and, where necessary, may consult reviewers, independent experts, other journals, publishers, research institutions, ethics committees, funders or other relevant bodies.

Authors will normally be given an opportunity to respond to substantive concerns before a final editorial action is taken, unless legal, regulatory or other exceptional circumstances require a different approach.

Depending on the findings, the journal may:

• take no further action where the concern is not substantiated;
• request clarification or supporting documentation;
• require correction of the manuscript;
• reject a manuscript that is under consideration;
• publish a correction or other post-publication notice;
• publish an Expression of Concern while significant issues remain unresolved; or
• retract a published article where the criteria for retraction are met.

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the issue and its effect on the reliability and integrity of the scholarly record.

 

Corrections

A Correction may be published where an error or omission affects the accuracy, interpretation or presentation of a published article but does not invalidate its main findings or conclusions.

Corrections may address, for example:

• errors in data, calculations, figures, tables or text;
• incorrect or incomplete information;
• production errors introduced during the publication process; or
• other inaccuracies that require a transparent amendment to the published record.

Where the journal distinguishes between the source of an error, the term Erratum may be used for an error introduced by the journal during production, while Corrigendum may be used for an error originating from the authors. The journal may alternatively use the general term Correction for both.

Minor typographical or stylistic errors that do not affect the meaning, interpretation or integrity of the article do not necessarily require a formal correction notice.

 

Procedure for Corrections

A correction may be initiated by an author, editor, reader or other party.

The Editorial Office will assess the reported issue and may request additional information from the authors or other relevant parties.

Where a formal correction is required, it will normally:

• be published as a separate, clearly identified notice;
• describe what has been corrected and, where appropriate, why;
• be electronically linked to the original article; and
• preserve the transparency of the original publication record.

The original article should also clearly indicate that a correction has been issued.

 

Retraction

Retraction is used where a published article contains findings or content that are unreliable or seriously compromise the integrity of the scholarly record and where a correction would not be sufficient to resolve the problem.

Retraction may be considered where there is reliable evidence of:

• major errors or unreliable findings;
• fabrication, falsification or inappropriate manipulation of data or images;
• plagiarism of sufficient extent to undermine the integrity of the article;
• substantial redundant or duplicate publication;
• systematic manipulation of the publication or peer-review process;
• serious ethical or legal violations affecting the publication;
• research conducted or published in circumstances that materially undermine its ethical validity; or
• other serious problems that make continued reliance on the article inappropriate.

Retraction is not intended as a punishment for authors. Its primary purpose is to correct the scholarly record and alert readers to publications whose findings or content should no longer be relied upon.

 

Retraction Procedure

Concerns that may warrant retraction will be investigated before a final decision is made.

The decision to retract an article is made by the Editor-in-Chief or an authorised independent editor where the Editor-in-Chief has a conflict of interest, following consideration of the available evidence and, where appropriate, consultation with independent experts or relevant institutions.

A retraction notice will normally:

• be clearly identified as a retraction;
• identify the article being retracted;
• state the reason for the retraction;
• identify, where appropriate, who is retracting the article;
• be linked electronically to the retracted article; and
• be published in a manner that makes the retraction status readily apparent to readers.

Retraction may proceed even where the authors do not agree with the decision, provided that the journal has sufficient grounds for the action.

 

Systematic Publication Manipulation and Paper Mills

The journal takes concerns relating to paper mills, fabricated manuscripts, fraudulent peer review, manipulated authorship, citation manipulation and other forms of systematic publication manipulation seriously.

Where several manuscripts or published articles appear to form part of a coordinated pattern of manipulation, the journal may investigate the affected publications individually and collectively and may cooperate with other journals, publishers, research institutions or relevant bodies where appropriate.

An article will not be retracted solely because it is associated with a group of suspicious publications. Each affected article will be assessed on the available evidence, although evidence of systematic manipulation may form part of that assessment.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

Artificial intelligence tools, including generative AI systems, must not be listed as authors, as they cannot assume responsibility or accountability for published work.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity and appropriate attribution of all content submitted to the journal, including content produced or modified with the assistance of AI tools.

Where generative AI or other AI tools have been used in a manner that materially contributes to the preparation of the manuscript, generation or modification of images, data analysis or other substantive aspects of the research or publication process, such use must be transparently disclosed in accordance with the journal’s AI policy.

AI-generated or AI-modified content must not be presented as original human-generated research material where this would misrepresent how the work was produced. Authors must verify AI-assisted outputs and ensure that they do not contain fabricated information, inaccurate citations, inappropriate reproduction of third-party material or other misleading content.

Failure to disclose AI use will be assessed according to the nature of the undisclosed use and its effect on the integrity and reliability of the manuscript. Non-disclosure does not automatically result in retraction.

Where AI-related concerns arise, the journal may request clarification or supporting materials from the authors. Editorial action may include correction, rejection or, where the integrity or reliability of an already published article is substantially compromised, retraction.

Automated AI-detection tools may be used as an initial screening aid, but their output will not by itself be treated as conclusive evidence of misconduct.

 

Authorship Misconduct

Guest, gift, ghost, purchased, fabricated or otherwise fraudulent authorship is not permitted.

The fraudulent use of another individual’s name, institutional affiliation, ORCID identifier or other identifying information is considered a serious publication ethics concern and will be investigated.

Where an authorship concern is identified after publication, the journal will determine the appropriate action on the basis of its effect on the integrity, attribution and reliability of the published record. Authorship concerns do not automatically require retraction where the underlying research and findings remain reliable.

 

Expression of Concern

The journal may publish an Expression of Concern where substantial concerns have been raised about a published article but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to determine whether a correction or retraction is required, or where an investigation is ongoing or inconclusive.

An Expression of Concern will normally:

• identify the article concerned;
• briefly describe the nature of the unresolved concern;
• be clearly labelled;
• be electronically linked to the original article; and
• remain part of the scholarly record.

Where appropriate, an Expression of Concern may subsequently be replaced or supplemented by a correction, retraction or other notice once sufficient information becomes available.

 

Availability of Retracted Articles

Retracted articles will normally remain available as part of the scholarly record rather than being deleted. Their retracted status will be clearly indicated, and the article will be linked to the corresponding retraction notice.

Complete removal of published content will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, for example where continued availability would violate applicable law, infringe legal rights, create a serious risk of harm, or where removal is required by a competent legal or regulatory authority.

Where content must be removed, the journal will seek to maintain an appropriate bibliographic record and notice explaining the reason for removal, insofar as legally permissible.

 

Timeliness of Post-Publication Action

The journal will seek to investigate credible concerns and issue necessary corrections, Expressions of Concern or retractions without unnecessary delay, while allowing sufficient time for a fair and adequately documented assessment.

The integrity and transparency of the scholarly record will take precedence over reputational, institutional or commercial considerations.