Procedure for retracting published articles

The Journal adheres to the retraction guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) - Рекомендацій щодо відкликання COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). The primary purpose of retraction is to correct the scholarly record and maintain trust in published research, rather than to penalize authors.

1. Grounds for Retraction

An article may be retracted under the following circumstances:

  • the findings are unreliable due to significant errors (e.g., methodological, computational, or experimental) or as a result of research misconduct (e.g., data fabrication, falsification, or image manipulation);
  • plagiarism or other forms of unethical conduct are identified, including infringement of third-party copyright;
  • redundant or duplicate publication has occurred (i.e., the same findings have been published elsewhere without appropriate citation, permission, or justification);
  • materials or data have been used without appropriate authorization;
  • violations of research ethics or the rights of research participants are identified;
  • a significant conflict of interest has been concealed, potentially influencing the editorial or peer review process;
  • the article has been accepted or published as a result of a compromised or manipulated peer review process;
  • other serious violations of ethical or legal standards are identified (e.g., defamation, breach of confidentiality).

2. Retraction Procedure

Retractions are carried out using the EASE Retraction Form.

A retraction may be initiated by authors, readers, or members of the Editorial Board. All allegations are subject to a thorough, fair, and impartial investigation in accordance with the Journal’s policies (see the section Complaints and Appeals).

If the grounds for retraction are confirmed:

  • the Editorial Board issues a formal retraction decision;
  • a retraction notice is published, clearly stating the reasons for the retraction;
  • the electronic version (PDF) of the article remains available on the Journal’s website to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record; however, each page is clearly marked with a watermark stating “RETRACTED”.

3. Expression of Concern

The Journal may publish an Expression of Concern in the following situations:

  • there is credible evidence raising concerns about the reliability or integrity of the findings, but the investigation by the authors’ institution is ongoing or has not yet been initiated;
  • there is suspicion of research or publication misconduct, but the available evidence is insufficient to warrant retraction;
  • the investigation is significantly delayed, and there are reasonable grounds to believe that a final decision will not be reached within an appropriate timeframe.