Overview
The journal publishes four categories of post-publication notice:
- Editorial notices
- Corrections
- Expressions of Concern (EOCs)
- Retraction notices
Each notice is assigned a DOI and linked to the article to which it relates. Notices are also identified as article updates through CrossMark.
These mechanisms are used to address the following types of issue:
- Significant editorial updates to an article or an existing post-publication notice.
- Errors affecting how an article is interpreted or indexed.
- Questions about compliance with journal standards and policies.
- Concerns bearing on the integrity, reliability, or validity of a published article.
Raising Concerns About Published or Submitted Work
- To report an error in a published article that may require a correction, contact the editorial office directly with the relevant details — including the article citation and DOI, a description of the error, the proposed correction text, and any supporting files or revised figures.
- To raise concerns about the integrity, validity, or reliability of a published article, email the Publication Ethics team at pub-ethics@thesafesociety.com and copy in the journal. Include the full citation and DOI and provide a detailed account of your specific concerns.
Editorial Process for Post-Publication Cases
When addressing concerns about journal publications, the journal upholds its editorial policies, publication criteria, and editorial standards, and follows ICMJE and COPE guidelines where applicable. The Publication Ethics team works alongside journal editors on post-publication cases that involve serious questions of ethics or research integrity.
Post-publication editorial decisions are made based on the editorial team's assessment of the issues raised, the materials and information gathered during follow-up discussions, and how the case aligns with COPE guidance and journal policies. In line with COPE guidance, the journal endeavours to discuss concerns with the article's corresponding author before arriving at a final editorial decision.
Once a post-publication editorial decision has been communicated to the authors, a brief commenting window opens in which authors may respond to the decision or notice text. After this commenting period closes, the decision proceeds.
Editorial Notices
The journal publishes editorial notices at staff editors' discretion to alert readers to significant updates or issues that may affect how a published article is interpreted. Editorial notices are used primarily for two purposes:
- As interim alerts, to notify readers of credible concerns for which editorial follow-up and/or investigations are ongoing.
- As post-publication case resolutions, where the editors determine that a published update is needed but does not satisfy the criteria for a correction, EOC, or retraction.
Editorial notices are written by journal editors; authors are informed before an editorial notice is published on their article. Unlike corrections, the journal does not consider author requests for editorial notices.
Corrections
Corrections are published to address errors in published articles where all of the following criteria are satisfied:
- The errors affect the main content or understanding of the article.
- The article's overall results and conclusions remain valid.
- There are no concerns about the integrity or reliability of the reported work.
A correction may also be published to address an error or omission affecting key aspects of the publication's metadata — for example, an author's name, competing interests, funding details, or data availability statement.
In most cases, corrections are not integrated directly into the article's contents. Instead, the updates are described in a separate notice that is linked to the article's webpage.
The journal does not publish corrections for typographical errors or other minor issues that do not substantively affect the article's scientific integrity, understanding, or indexing.
Expressions of Concern
Expressions of Concern (EOCs) are notices published at editors' discretion to alert readers to serious concerns about published work or about an article's compliance with journal policies. In most cases, the journal completes its case follow-up before publishing a notice; however, in some instances an EOC may be issued as an interim notice while the journal or another party is investigating an issue.
EOCs are written by journal staff and/or the Editor(s)-in-Chief, Executive Editor, or Division Editor. When published, an EOC is posted at the top of the article's webpage and linked to the article's publication record. An EOC does not alter the publication status of the linked article.
The journal endeavours to notify the authors of the affected article before publishing an EOC, but does not require the authors' approval or agreement.
For further information, see COPE's Expression of Concern Guidelines.
Retractions
As discussed in COPE's Retraction Guidelines, retraction is a mechanism for correcting the literature and alerting readers to major concerns about the integrity, validity, or reliability of an article.
- Authors may request retraction of their own work if issues come to light after publication that call into question the scientific validity of the article.
- Where concerns are identified internally or raised by third parties, the journal follows up in line with COPE guidance and will retract an article if editors determine that unresolved issues warrant retraction.
The journal may retract an article whether the issues have arisen due to honest error(s) or misconduct. In accordance with COPE guidance, the journal does not adjudicate on intent or individual-level responsibility, and does not issue partial retractions.
When retracting an article, the journal publishes a retraction notice explaining the reason(s). The notice is posted at the top of the affected article's webpage and linked to the article's publication record.
After an article is retracted, it is no longer considered part of the standing published record. Except in rare circumstances, retracted articles remain available online with the retracted status clearly indicated.
Article Processing Charges (APCs) are not refunded following retraction.
Republication of Previously Retracted Work
After a retraction, if authors are able to resolve all issues underlying the retraction decision and wish to pursue republication in the journal, they should contact the relevant editorial office and enquire about the journal's requirements for submitting previously retracted work. The journal will not consider a revised version of an article for publication if there are unresolved concerns involving potential misconduct.
If a revised version of a retracted article is peer reviewed and accepted for publication, it will receive a new DOI and the original (retracted) article will remain available online, clearly marked as retracted.
Removal of Published Content
The journal reserves the right to remove content from its webpages in exceptional circumstances, including:
- A court or government authority has ordered the removal.
- The content presents a risk to personal privacy or to a third party's legal rights.
- The research was not lawfully conducted or published.
- Cases of dual publication in which the journal's content duplicates previously published material not available under an open access licence.
- Per the editors' assessment, the content may present a substantial risk to public health or to a specific community or ecosystem.
When content is removed, the article title, author list, and article metadata remain available on the article's webpage, along with an editorial notice.
Appeals of Post-Publication Decisions
The journal will only consider appeals of editorial decisions if all of the following criteria are met:
- New information and/or data are provided that directly address the issue(s) underlying the decision.
- The appeal is submitted by an author of the affected article.
- The case does not involve serious integrity concerns or issues involving multiple articles or submissions.
- The appeal is received before the specified commenting deadline and before the editorial notice has been published.
To appeal a post-publication decision, email your appeal letter and any supporting documents or data files to pub-ethics@thesafesociety.com. Include the article DOI, the publication ethics case number, and the word "appeal" in the subject line.
Decisions on appeals are final. Multiple rounds of appeal will not be considered.
Contact
For questions about post-publication notices, corrections, retractions, or appeals, please contact the Editorial Office.
Editorial Office — SAFE Journal of One Health
Published by The SAFE Society Publishing
Email: editor@thesafesociety.com
Publication Ethics: pub-ethics@thesafesociety.com
Website: https://journal.thesafesociety.com