Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections

Introduction
The International Journal of Data Science (IJoDS) fosters ongoing scholarly discussion and is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the published record. This policy outlines the mechanisms for post-publication discussions, and for correcting, revising, or retracting articles after publication.

Description
Scholarly publishing is a dynamic process, and IJoDS recognizes that issues or errors may be identified in articles after they have been published. The journal provides avenues for readers to engage in discussions about published work and has established procedures for making necessary corrections to the scholarly record.

The Policy

  • Post-Publication Discussion: IJoDS encourages scholarly debate on published articles. This can occur through:
    • Letters to the Editor: Readers can submit formal letters concerning published articles, which may be peer-reviewed and published alongside a response from the original authors.
    • Online Commenting: Where technically feasible on the journal platform (OJS), moderated online commenting features may be enabled for articles.
    • External Platforms: IJoDS acknowledges discussions on external moderated sites like PubPeer.
  • Corrections and Amendments:
    • Errata (Corrections): IJoDS will publish corrections for significant errors in published articles that affect the interpretation of the work but do not invalidate its main findings. This exception applies to honest errors made by authors or the journal.
    • Addenda: IJoDS may publish an addendum if it omits crucial information for understanding the article during publication.
  • Expressions of Concern: IJoDS may issue an Expression of Concern if there is inconclusive evidence of research or publication misconduct by the authors, or if the editorial office has concerns about the reliability of the findings, but the investigation is not yet complete or conclusive.
  • Retractions: Articles will be retracted if there is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable due to misconduct (e.g., data fabrication, falsification) or honest error so serious that the work is invalidated. Retractions will also be issued in cases of severe plagiarism, redundant publication, or unethical research.
  • Article Removal or Replacement: In very rare circumstances (e.g., due to legal infringements or immediate harm if the article remains available), an article may need to be removed or, in cases of honest error leading to retraction, retraction and replacement may be considered.
  • Author Responsibility: Authors are expected to cooperate with the journal in issuing corrections or retractions when necessary.

Implementation of the Policy

  • Reporting Concerns: Readers or authors who identify potential errors or concerns in a published IJoDS article should contact the Editor-in-Chief with specific details.
  • Investigation: The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the editorial board and potentially the authors, will investigate all reported concerns. We will follow established ethical guidelines for investigating and resolving issues.
  • Issuing Corrections/Retractions:
    • We will clearly identify all corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions, publish them promptly, and link them to the original article.
    • The notice will explain the reason for the correction, concern, or retraction.
    • Retracted articles will remain in the public domain but will be clearly marked as retracted. The retraction notice will be bidirectionally linked to the original article.
    • Notices will be freely accessible to all readers (without a paywall).
  • Letters to the Editor:
    • Submitted letters should be concise, focused on specific points in a published article, and submitted in a timely manner (usually within 3-6 months of the article's publication).
    • Letters are subject to editorial review and may be sent to the original authors for a response. The journal may publish both the letter and the response simultaneously.
  • Archiving: All post-publication notices (corrections, retractions, etc.) will be permanently archived alongside the original article and indexed by abstracting and indexing services.
  • Ethical Retraction Guidelines: IJoDS adheres to established ethical guidelines for retractions. The primary purpose of retraction is to correct the literature and ensure its integrity, not to punish authors.