Corrigendum

A corrigendum is a formal notice of correction issued for a published work. Derived from the Latin corrigere, meaning to make right, the term is used in academic, professional, and legal publishing to acknowledge errors identified after publication and to provide the corrected information without withdrawing the work.

In scholarly contexts, corrigenda typically address substantive mistakes such as data errors, mislabeled figures, incorrect author names or affiliations, or mistakes in calculations. The exact scope varies by discipline and publisher. The term is sometimes distinguished from an erratum, which in some traditions signals errors introduced by the publisher; in others, the two terms are used interchangeably to denote corrections.

Format and linking: A corrigendum is usually issued as a separate, citable notice linked to the original work. It may list the original error, provide the corrected text, and include an apology or clarification. The original document may be updated with a notice or amended online. Bibliographic databases and indexing services typically link the corrigendum to the initial publication so readers are aware of the correction.

In books, corrigenda may appear as a printed list of corrections (corrigenda) or as an insert; in journals, they are common for scientific articles. Corrigenda differ from retractions, expressions of concern, or minor errata, and serve to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the published record.