Correction, Retraction, and Withdrawal

Madago Nursing Journal (MNJ) is committed to preserving the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record in nursing. Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern help ensure that readers are informed of significant errors or unresolved questions affecting published work.

The journal assesses concerns fairly and proportionately, with reference to relevant Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance. Editorial action aims to protect readers and maintain a trustworthy publication record.

1. Corrections

MNJ may publish a correction when an error affects the accuracy, interpretation, or completeness of an article but does not invalidate its main findings.

Corrections may address:

1. Author names, affiliations, or publication metadata.

2. Statistical values, tables, figures, or data presentation.

3. References, acknowledgments, or funding information.

4. Scientific terminology, units, or factual statements.

5. Missing or inaccurate declarations concerning conflicts of interest, ethical approval, or informed consent.

6. Other errors that materially affect understanding or reproducibility.

Authors, readers, or other concerned parties may report errors through the journal’s official editorial contact channels. Reports should identify the article, explain the error, and provide supporting information.

The editor may consult the authors or independent experts before determining whether a correction is appropriate. Authorship changes require the documentation and agreements specified in the journal’s Authorship Criteria.

A correction notice will identify the original article, explain the change, and link to the affected publication. Updated article files will clearly indicate the correction and refer to the notice. Substantive changes will not be made silently.

Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect meaning may be amended without a formal notice. If errors invalidate the main findings, retraction may be necessary.

2. Retractions

MNJ may retract an article when there is sufficient evidence that its findings are unreliable or its publication involves serious ethical violations.

Grounds may include:

1. Fabricated or falsified data, results, or images.

2. Major methodological, analytical, or reporting errors that invalidate the findings, including honest errors.

3. Plagiarism or unjustified redundant publication.

4. Unethical research or serious failures concerning required approval, consent, or participant protection.

5. Manipulation of peer review or the publication process.

6. Unauthorized use of materials or other serious rights violations.

7. Undisclosed competing interests that materially affect interpretation or editorial evaluation.

8. Other established circumstances that seriously compromise publication integrity.

An authorship dispute alone will not normally justify retraction when the findings remain reliable. Such disputes will be handled under the journal’s authorship procedures and may require institutional investigation.

Authors will normally have an opportunity to respond before a decision is made. Author agreement is not required when the evidence justifies retraction.

The retraction notice will identify the article, state who is retracting it, and explain the reasons clearly. Where supported by the evidence, it will distinguish honest error from misconduct without implying that every author bears equal responsibility.

The notice will be publicly accessible and linked to the article. The article will normally remain available, prominently marked as Retracted, to preserve the publication history.

3. Manuscript Withdrawal

Withdrawal concerns a manuscript that has not yet been formally published. Requests must be submitted in writing by the corresponding author through the journal’s official editorial channels.

The request must include:

• Manuscript title and identification number.

• Reason for withdrawal.

• Confirmation of all co-authors’ agreement, or an explanation of any disagreement requiring resolution.

Authors should request withdrawal promptly when they identify a reason that publication should not proceed.

3.1. Before or During Peer Review

Authors may request withdrawal during initial assessment or peer review. The editorial office will acknowledge the request and confirm when processing has ended.

Authors should obtain written confirmation that the manuscript is no longer under consideration before submitting it elsewhere. If confirmation is delayed, they should follow up through the journal’s official contact channels.

Withdrawal does not automatically end an assessment of suspected plagiarism, duplicate submission, unethical research, or other serious integrity concerns. Relevant inquiries or institutional referrals may continue.

3.2. After Acceptance but Before Publication

Withdrawal after acceptance requires a clear explanation because production may already be underway. Authors must contact the editorial office immediately if significant errors, ethical concerns, or other circumstances make publication inappropriate.

The editor will assess the request, clarify any authorship disagreement, and confirm the outcome in writing. Publication should be paused while a credible concern affecting reliability or ethical compliance is assessed.

3.3. After Online Publication

An article formally published online, including a publicly released Article in Press, forms part of the scholarly record. Concerns arising afterward will normally be addressed through correction, an Expression of Concern, or retraction rather than manuscript withdrawal.

Removal of published content is reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as a binding legal requirement, serious privacy violation, or substantial risk to personal safety that cannot adequately be addressed otherwise.

Where removal is necessary, bibliographic information and an explanatory notice will be retained wherever legally and ethically permissible.

4. Expressions of Concern

MNJ may publish an Expression of Concern when serious questions about an article remain unresolved and readers should be alerted while assessment continues.

This may be appropriate when:

1. A relevant investigation is ongoing or substantially delayed.

2. Available evidence raises significant concerns but is insufficient for a final decision.

3. An institution cannot or will not investigate adequately.

4. Necessary documentation has not been provided and uncertainty materially affects confidence in the article.

The notice will describe the unresolved issue without presenting an allegation as proven. It will be publicly accessible and linked to the article.

When the assessment concludes, the journal will publish an update explaining the outcome, including whether a correction, retraction, or resolution notice is warranted.

5. Editorial Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief or an authorized independent editor will oversee relevant assessments. Editors with conflicts of interest must withdraw from handling the case.

The journal may request explanations, original data, analytical records, ethical documentation, or other supporting materials. Independent experts may be consulted, and matters requiring formal investigation may be referred to the responsible institution or authority.

Requests for documentation will respect patient confidentiality, consent conditions, and applicable data-protection requirements.

Decisions will reflect the evidence and its implications for publication reliability. Necessary action to inform readers may proceed before an institutional investigation is complete.

6. Publication Fees and Refunds

Any fees or refund requests will be handled under the journal’s published fee policy and the terms communicated to authors.

This policy does not introduce a withdrawal penalty or establish a separate non-refundable fee. Applicable charges and refund conditions must be stated transparently.

Financial considerations must not influence decisions concerning corrections, retractions, ethical assessment, or the reliability of published work.

7. Appeals

Authors or other directly affected parties may submit a reasoned written appeal identifying the decision, grounds for reconsideration, and supporting evidence.

Where practicable, an editor or representative who was not responsible for the original decision will assess the appeal. Repeated appeals without new evidence or substantive grounds may be declined.

An appeal does not automatically suspend action necessary to protect readers or the scholarly record.

8. Transparency and Preservation

Correction notices, retraction notices, Expressions of Concern, and subsequent updates will be linked to the affected publications and preserved in the journal’s archive.

Relevant metadata will be updated, and indexing or preservation services will be notified where supported by the journal’s systems.

Madago Nursing Journal will handle cases with fairness, appropriate confidentiality, and respect for authors, research participants, and readers.

By submitting a manuscript, authors agree to report research accurately, disclose relevant concerns, and cooperate with reasonable editorial inquiries before and after publication.