Journal of Applied Health Sciences (JAHS)

JAHS is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and trustworthiness of the scholarly record. When errors or ethical concerns arise in published articles, the journal will take appropriate corrective action in accordance with COPE flowcharts, ICMJE recommendations, and international best practices.

  1. Types of Post-Publication Amendments

JAHS recognizes the following categories of amendments:

  1. Erratum – Correction of an error introduced by the journal during production or publication.
  2. Corrigendum – Correction of an error made by the authors.
  3. Retraction – Removal of a published article due to serious ethical or scientific integrity issues.
  4. Addendum – Additional information that clarifies but does not contradict the original article.
  5. Expression of Concern – A notice issued when there is suspicion of misconduct, but the investigation is incomplete.
  6. Article Replacement – In rare cases, replacing an article with a corrected version while retaining the original with clear labeling (applies only to non-misconduct issues).
  1. Criteria for Issuing a Correction (Erratum or Corrigendum)

Corrections are issued when:

2.1 Errors that do NOT invalidate conclusions

  • Minor factual or typographical errors
  • Errors in author names, affiliations, or contact information
  • Errors in tables or figures that do not affect data interpretation
  • Incorrect citations or reference formatting
  • Minor numerical inaccuracies that do not change scientific results

2.2 Distinction

  • Erratum → JAHS production or editorial error
  • Corrigendum → Author error

The correction notice will:

  • Be published in the next available issue
  • Be linked bidirectionally to the original article
  • Appear as open access and fully citable
  • State precisely what is being corrected
  • Not alter the original published version (except in cases of article replacement, rare)
  1. Criteria for Retraction

An article will be retracted when:

3.1 Serious Research Misconduct

  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Fabrication of images, clinical photos, graphs, or datasets
  • Plagiarism (including self-plagiarism)
  • Redundant/duplicate publication
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest that significantly impact interpretation
  • Manipulated peer review
  • Ethical approval not obtained or falsified

3.2 Scientifically Unreliable Content

Even without misconduct, retraction may occur if:

  • Major methodological errors invalidate conclusions
  • Irreproducibility of results is confirmed
  • Critical statistical errors undermine findings
  • Erroneous clinical or public health claims may endanger patients

3.3 Ethical Violations

  • Unapproved human subjects research
  • Breach of patient confidentiality
  • Incorrect or missing informed consent
  • Violation of animal welfare standards

3.4 Legal Issues

  • Defamation
  • Copyright infringement
  • Court rulings requiring content removal
  1. Retraction Procedure (Detailed Steps)

JAHS follows COPE Retraction Flowcharts.

4.1 Notification / Trigger of Investigation

A concern may be raised by:

  • Authors
  • Reviewers
  • Editors
  • Readers
  • Institutions
  • Funders
  • Independent whistleblowers

4.2 Preliminary Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief:

  • Reviews evidence
  • Consults with ethics editors and subject editors
  • Determines whether a full investigation is warranted

4.3 Investigation

May involve:

  • Requesting raw data, ethics approvals, and analysis scripts
  • Consulting independent reviewers
  • Contacting the authors’ institutions
  • Checking originality using plagiarism / AI detection tools

4.4 Author Response

Authors are given:

  • An opportunity to respond
  • A defined timeframe (typically 2–4 weeks)
  • A chance to supply corrective evidence (data, approvals, explanations)

4.5 Editorial Decision

Following the investigation, JAHS may decide to:

  • Take no action
  • Issue a correction
  • Issue an Expression of Concern
  • Retract the article
  • Retract and replace the article
  • Notify the institution or funders

4.6 Issuing the Retraction

The retraction notice must:

  • Be published in the next issue
  • Be open access and freely available
  • Clearly state the reasons for retraction (scientific vs. ethical)
  • Distinguish who requested the retraction (authors, editors, or both)
  • Avoid defamatory language
  • Maintain transparency according to COPE standards
  • Be linked to the original article
  • Appear in bibliographic databases (CrossRef, Scopus, Google Scholar)

4.7 Handling the Retracted Article

  • The PDF of the original article remains accessible
  • The article is digitally watermarked: “RETRACTED ARTICLE — DO NOT CITE.”
  • All HTML versions carry a top banner stating RETRACTED
  • DOIs are retained but marked as retracted in metadata
  • The article must not be removed unless legally required
  1. Expression of Concern (EoC)

An Expression of Concern is issued when:

  • There is inconclusive evidence of misconduct
  • Investigation is delayed
  • Authors or institutions are unresponsive
  • There is suspicion of data unreliability
  • Legal constraints prevent immediate retraction

EoC is:

  • Published as a citable editorial
  • Linked to the original article
    -Updated or replaced once the investigation concludes
  1. Article Withdrawal

Articles may be withdrawn before publication if:

  • Authors request withdrawal for legitimate reasons
  • Duplicate submission is discovered
  • Ethical violations are identified before publication
  • Manuscript is found unsuitable after acceptance due to integrity issues

A Withdrawal Notice is published if the article was already assigned a DOI.

  1. Addenda and Updates

An Addendum is used when:

  • New relevant information becomes available after publication
  • Clarification is needed
  • Important context is missing, but the original article remains valid

Addenda:

  • Do not amend the original article
  • Are linked to it bidirectionally
  • Are permanently available and citable
  1. Transparency and Metadata Updates

JAHS ensures that:

  • Corrections, retractions, addenda, and expressions of concern are fully indexed
  • CrossRef metadata is updated using COPE/Publisher Best Practices
  • All changes are timestamped
  • Notices are permanent and cannot be deleted or altered retroactively
  1. Author Notification and Right to Respond
  • Authors will be notified in writing of any concerns
  • They are allowed to clarify or defend the work
  • Authors may appeal decisions by submitting additional evidence
  • Appeals are reviewed by independent editors not involved in the original decision

 

  1. Record Keeping and Documentation

JAHS maintains:

  • Complete documentation of investigations
  • Copies of correspondence with authors and institutions
  • Versions of manuscripts and data used in the investigation
  • Evidence of institutional communications (if applicable)

Documentation is stored securely in accordance with GDPR and journal policy.

  1. Legal and Ethical Considerations
  • JAHS respects the legal rights of authors and the public
  • Retraction notices cannot include defamatory statements
  • Decisions prioritize public safety, scientific accuracy, and integrity
  • Journal may seek legal counsel when necessary
  1. Final Guiding Principles

JAHS adheres to four core values:

Integrity – Protection of the scientific record

Transparency – Full public visibility of corrections

Accountability – Ethical responsibility of authors and editors

Permanence – Long-term availability of corrected information