Correction & Retraction Policy

Correction & Retraction Policy

Pakistan Journal of Translational and Applied Medicine (PJTAM)

1. Purpose of Corrections

PJTAM is committed to preserving the accuracy, reliability, and scholarly value of its publications. Corrections are issued to address genuine errors that impact data interpretation, clarity, or scientific transparency without undermining the overall validity of the research. This policy ensures that the scientific record remains trustworthy and ethically sound.

2. Types of Corrections

Erratum (Publisher-Initiated)

Issued when errors introduced during the editorial or production process—such as typographical mistakes, figure misplacements, or reference mislabeling—are discovered. These do not affect the study’s core findings.

Corrigendum (Author-Initiated)

Issued when authors identify significant errors post-publication that may influence the clarity or interpretation of their work, while the research itself remains valid.

3. Correction Procedure

  • Error Detection:
    Mistakes may be reported by authors, readers, peer reviewers, or editorial staff.

  • Assessment:
    The editorial board evaluates the nature and impact of the error.

  • Correction Publication:
    If warranted, a correction notice is formally published. The original article remains intact but is clearly linked to the correction notice for transparency.

4. Visibility and Indexing of Corrections

  • All correction notices are publicly displayed and linked to the original article on the PJTAM website.

  • They are also indexed in academic databases (e.g., DOAJ, CrossRef) to maintain scholarly transparency.

Retraction Policy

1. Purpose of Retractions

Retractions are issued when published articles are found to have serious flaws or ethical breaches that compromise the integrity, reliability, or ethical soundness of the research. The retraction process ensures that misleading or invalid work does not remain in the scientific record.

2. Grounds for Retraction

  • Research Misconduct:
    Proven plagiarism, falsification, fabrication, or manipulation of data or images.

  • Ethical Breaches:
    Violations involving human/animal research, absence of ethics approval, or undisclosed conflicts of interest.

  • Critical Methodological Errors:
    Serious flaws in design or analysis that invalidate the article’s findings and cannot be corrected via an erratum or corrigendum.

3. Retraction Procedure

  • Investigation:
    A formal inquiry is launched by the editorial board, potentially involving authors, institutions, and ethical oversight bodies.

  • Editorial Decision:
    Based on findings and in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, the board determines whether retraction is justified.

  • Retraction Notice:
    A clear, publicly available notice is issued, stating the reason for retraction.
    The original article remains online but is marked clearly as “RETRACTED” (e.g., with a visible watermark or banner).

4. Indexing and Transparency

  • Retraction notices are:

    • Openly accessible

    • Indexed in academic repositories and databases

    • Linked directly to the original article for full traceability

5. Ethical Standards and Governance

PJTAM adheres strictly to the ethical publishing standards of:

  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics)

  • Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan

All correction and retraction decisions are made with fairness, transparency, and academic accountability.

Contact Information

To report concerns or request corrections/retractions:

Email: editorial@pjtam.org.pk
Website: https://scholarclub.org/index.php/PJTAM