Retractions

A retraction is a public statement by a publisher, journal, or author that a previously published work should not be regarded as part of the scholarly record. Retractions occur across academic journals, books, and occasionally in news reporting or other formal publications to correct the literature and alert readers to unreliable information.

Reasons for retraction vary. They include honest errors that invalidate results (such as miscalculations or flawed methodologies), data fabrication or falsification, plagiarism, unethical research practices, privacy concerns, or issues related to authorship and consent. Retractions may follow formal investigations by editors, publishers, or institutional bodies, and are often guided by bodies such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

A retraction typically involves a retraction notice that explains the rationale for the action. The original article usually remains accessible but is clearly marked as retracted, and databases and indexing services link to the notice. In some cases a partial retraction removes only specific figures or sections, while the rest of the work remains available.

Retractions differ from related mechanisms such as errata or corrigenda (minor corrections) and expressions of concern (issues under investigation). In some contexts, pre-publication withdrawals or post-publication expressions of concern may precede a full retraction. The overarching aim is to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record while providing transparent explanations for why the work should no longer be relied upon.