Withdrawal, Retraction and Correction Policy

The International Journal of Discourse in Social Science Research (IJDSSR) is committed to maintaining the integrity and reliability of the scholarly record. This policy outlines procedures for withdrawal, retraction, and correction in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Withdrawal Policy (Pre-Publication)

Withdrawal refers to removing a manuscript from the editorial or peer review process before publication.

Permissible Grounds for Withdrawal

Authors may request withdrawal in the following cases:

  • Significant errors in the manuscript
  • Ethical concerns identified by authors
  • Accidental or duplicate submission

Procedure

  • Request must be submitted by the corresponding author
  • A clear justification is required
  • Consent from all co-authors must be provided

Editorial Decision

  • The editorial board may approve or reject requests
  • Late-stage requests are subject to stricter evaluation

Unethical Withdrawal

Withdrawal without valid reason, especially after review or acceptance, may result in:

  • Rejection of the manuscript
  • Temporary restriction on future submissions

2. Retraction Policy (Post-Publication)

Retraction involves removing a published article due to serious ethical or scientific concerns.

Grounds for Retraction

  • Plagiarism
  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Major errors invalidating findings
  • Duplicate publication
  • Unethical research practices

Retraction Process

  • Editorial investigation is conducted
  • Authors are given a chance to respond
  • Decisions follow COPE guidelines

Retraction Notice

  • A formal notice is published
  • The article remains accessible but marked “Retracted”
  • Reasons are clearly stated

3. Correction Policy

Corrections address errors that do not invalidate the overall findings.

Types of Corrections

Minor Corrections

  • Typographical errors
  • Formatting issues
  • Minor factual inaccuracies

Major Corrections (Erratum / Corrigendum)

  • Errors affecting interpretation
  • Author name or affiliation corrections

Process

  • Authors must report errors promptly
  • Editorial team evaluates impact
  • Correction notice is published and linked

4. Expression of Concern

If serious concerns arise without conclusive evidence, the journal may issue an Expression of Concern while investigations continue.

5. Post-Publication Responsibility

Authors are expected to:

  • Notify the journal of errors promptly
  • Cooperate in corrections or retractions

6. Final Authority

The editorial board holds final authority on withdrawal, retraction, and correction decisions to ensure integrity and transparency.

This policy aligns with international ethical publishing standards established by COPE.