Correction and Retraction Policy

1. Introduction

Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Unisa Kuningan is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the scholarly record. The journal recognizes that errors may occasionally occur in published articles and that, in certain circumstances, published research may need to be corrected or retracted.

This policy establishes the procedures for correcting, retracting, or otherwise notifying readers about published articles when significant errors or ethical concerns are identified.

2. Corrections

A correction may be issued when an error is identified in a published article and the error affects the accuracy, clarity, or interpretation of the article but does not invalidate its overall findings or fundamental conclusions.

Corrections may include, but are not limited to:

Errors in author names, affiliations, or other publication metadata.
Typographical or editorial errors that affect the meaning of the text.
Errors in tables, figures, data presentation, or descriptions of methods.
Incorrect acknowledgments, funding information, or declarations.
Other substantive inaccuracies that can be corrected without withdrawing the article's main conclusions.

Requests for corrections may be submitted by authors, readers, reviewers, or other parties with relevant evidence. The editorial team will assess the request and may consult the authors or independent experts when necessary.

If a correction is approved, the journal will publish a correction notice that identifies the affected article, explains the nature of the error, and describes the correction made. The original article will remain accessible, and the correction notice will be linked to the article to maintain transparency.

3. Retractions

Retraction may be considered when the reliability or integrity of a published article is seriously compromised. Grounds for retraction may include:

Evidence of fabrication or falsification of data.
Plagiarism or substantial unattributed duplication.
Redundant or duplicate publication.
Serious errors that invalidate the main findings or conclusions.
Unethical research or community engagement practices.
Material authorship or publication misconduct.
Undisclosed conflicts of interest that significantly affect the reliability or integrity of the article.
Other serious violations of publication ethics that undermine confidence in the published work.

Retraction will not be based solely on differences of opinion, criticism of an article, or disagreement with its conclusions when the work remains methodologically sound and ethically acceptable.

4. Retraction Procedure

When a potential need for retraction is identified, the editorial team will:

Conduct a preliminary assessment of the available information and supporting evidence.
Contact the corresponding author and, where appropriate, other authors to request an explanation.
Consult reviewers, subject experts, institutional representatives, or other relevant parties when necessary.
Evaluate the evidence fairly and objectively, allowing relevant parties an appropriate opportunity to respond.
Make a decision based on the seriousness of the issue, the reliability of the article, and applicable publication ethics standards.
Notify the relevant parties of the decision and document the reasons for the action.

The journal will aim to handle cases promptly, fairly, and confidentially, while maintaining transparency regarding decisions that affect the scholarly record.

5. Retraction Notice and Article Availability

If an article is retracted, the journal will publish a clearly identified retraction notice that includes the article title, authors, publication details, and the reason for retraction, to the extent that disclosure is appropriate.

The retraction notice will be linked to the original article. The original article will generally remain accessible with a clear retraction watermark or equivalent notice so that readers are informed of its status and the scholarly record is preserved.

The journal will not remove a published article from the scholarly record except where removal is required by law or necessary to address exceptional risks, such as serious privacy or safety concerns. Any such action will be documented appropriately.

6. Expressions of Concern

When credible concerns arise but the available evidence is insufficient to make a final decision, the journal may publish an expression of concern. This notice informs readers that an article is under review or that a significant issue remains unresolved.

An expression of concern may be followed by a correction, retraction, or no further action, depending on the outcome of the assessment.

7. Responsibilities

Authors are expected to notify the journal promptly when they discover significant errors in their published work and to cooperate with editorial investigations.

Editors are responsible for assessing reported concerns impartially, obtaining relevant evidence, and making decisions consistent with publication ethics.

Reviewers and readers are encouraged to report suspected errors or ethical concerns through the journal's official communication channels and provide supporting evidence where possible.

The publisher supports the journal in maintaining the integrity, accessibility, and preservation of the scholarly record.

8. Final Provisions

All correction and retraction decisions will be handled in accordance with the journal's publication ethics principles and applicable scholarly publishing standards. The journal aims to ensure that any changes to published articles are transparent, traceable, and properly documented.

This policy applies to articles published in Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Unisa Kuningan.