Correction, Retraction, and Withdrawal

BANUA: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan 

BANUA: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record in environmental health sciences and related public health disciplines.

The journal recognizes that correcting published errors, retracting unreliable research, and managing manuscript withdrawal appropriately are essential responsibilities in ethical scholarly publishing.

BANUA follows internationally recognized publication ethics principles and relevant recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when addressing errors, concerns regarding scientific integrity, and suspected violations of publication ethics.

All editorial actions will be conducted fairly, transparently, and proportionately, based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the issue, and its potential impact on the reliability of scientific findings.

1. Corrections

BANUA may publish a correction when an error is identified in a published article and the error can be addressed without requiring retraction of the entire publication.

Corrections are intended to maintain the accuracy and clarity of the scholarly record while ensuring that readers can identify the original publication and understand the changes made.

Corrections may be considered for errors involving:

1. Author names, institutional affiliations, or other publication metadata.

2. Environmental monitoring results, laboratory findings, statistical values, tables, figures, graphs, or illustrations.

3. References, citations, acknowledgments, or funding information.

4. Errors in terminology, units of measurement, exposure concentrations, environmental quality parameters, or other scientific details.

5. Errors or omissions in declarations concerning conflicts of interest, ethical approval, informed consent, funding, or other required statements.

6. Inaccuracies in research methods, sampling procedures, analytical descriptions, or reported findings that do not substantially invalidate the main conclusions.

7. Other factual or editorial errors that may affect the interpretation, reproducibility, or understanding of the published research.

Authors, readers, reviewers, editors, or other concerned individuals may report suspected errors to the BANUA Editorial Office.

Reports should clearly identify the published article, describe the suspected error, and include relevant supporting information when available.

The Editorial Board will assess the reported error and may request explanations, original research data, environmental sampling records, laboratory documentation, or other supporting materials from the authors.

Independent scientific experts may be consulted when necessary.

When a correction is warranted, BANUA will publish a correction notice that identifies the original article, explains the nature of the error, describes the correction, and provides a link to the affected publication.

The original article may be updated when appropriate, provided that the correction is clearly documented and the publication history remains transparent.

Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the scientific meaning may be corrected without a separate formal notice, at the discretion of the Editorial Board.

When errors substantially undermine the reliability of the main findings or conclusions, the journal may consider an Expression of Concern or retraction instead of a correction.

2. Retractions

BANUA may retract a published article when reliable evidence demonstrates that its findings, conclusions, or publication integrity are seriously compromised.

Retraction is intended to protect the scientific record by informing readers that the affected article should no longer be relied upon as a trustworthy source of scientific evidence.

Grounds for retraction may include:

1. Data Fabrication or Falsification: Fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation of environmental measurements, laboratory results, research datasets, statistical analyses, or other scientific findings.

2. Plagiarism: Substantial plagiarism, unauthorized duplication, or inappropriate reuse of published text, data, figures, images, or other research materials.

3. Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Publication of substantially overlapping research findings without appropriate disclosure, justification, or acknowledgment.

4. Serious Methodological Errors: Major errors in research design, environmental sampling, laboratory procedures, exposure assessment, statistical analysis, or data interpretation that invalidate the principal findings.

5. Research Ethics Violations: Serious violations involving human research participants, informed consent, confidentiality, biological materials, animal research, laboratory safety, or other applicable ethical requirements.

6. Authorship Misconduct: Fraudulent authorship claims, fabricated author identities, or serious manipulation of author contributions that compromise publication integrity.

7. Peer-Review Manipulation: Fraudulent reviewer identities, fabricated peer-review reports, or inappropriate interference with the editorial and peer-review processes.

8. Data and Image Manipulation: Misleading alteration, duplication, or fabrication of research photographs, environmental monitoring records, laboratory images, maps, figures, or graphical evidence.

9. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failure to disclose significant financial, commercial, professional, or institutional interests that materially compromise confidence in the research findings or their interpretation.

10. Invalid Ethical Documentation: Publication based on fraudulent ethical approval, invalid research authorization, or improperly obtained informed consent when the circumstances justify retraction.

11. Misuse of Artificial Intelligence: Inappropriate use of AI technologies to fabricate or falsify scientific evidence, manipulate findings, or engage in serious publication misconduct that makes the article unreliable.

12. Other Serious Publication Violations: Any significant ethical or scientific concern that renders the article's findings unreliable or seriously compromises the integrity of the scholarly record.

Retraction may be initiated following concerns raised by authors, readers, reviewers, editors, research institutions, ethics committees, funding agencies, or other credible sources.

The Editorial Board will assess the available evidence and may request explanations or supporting documentation from the authors.

When necessary, the journal may consult independent experts or relevant research institutions.

Authors will ordinarily be given an opportunity to respond to the concerns before a final editorial decision is made.

However, failure to respond does not automatically prevent appropriate editorial action when sufficient evidence is available.

A formal retraction notice will clearly identify the affected article and explain the principal reasons for the retraction.

The notice will be publicly accessible and linked to the original article.

The original article will ordinarily remain available in the journal's electronic archive and will be clearly marked as Retracted to preserve the transparency and traceability of the publication record.

Retraction notices will distinguish, where possible, between honest errors, research misconduct, and other circumstances affecting publication integrity.

Retraction does not automatically establish that every listed author was responsible for the identified problem.

3. Manuscript Withdrawal

BANUA recognizes that authors may occasionally need to withdraw a manuscript before publication for legitimate academic, ethical, or other justifiable reasons.

Manuscript withdrawal is distinct from article retraction.

Withdrawal concerns manuscripts that have not yet been formally published, while retraction concerns published articles whose reliability or publication integrity has been seriously compromised.

Withdrawal requests must be submitted through the journal's official communication channels and must include a clear explanation of the circumstances.

Withdrawal must not be used to conceal research misconduct, evade legitimate ethical investigations, or deliberately undermine the editorial and peer-review process.

3.1. Withdrawal Before Editorial Assessment or Peer Review

Authors may request manuscript withdrawal before substantive editorial assessment or peer review has begun.

The corresponding author must submit a formal written request to the BANUA Editorial Office.

The request should include:

1. The manuscript title.

2. The manuscript identification number assigned through the Online Journal System (OJS).

3. The corresponding author's name and contact information.

4. A clear explanation of the reason for withdrawal.

5. Confirmation that all co-authors have been informed and agree to the withdrawal.

The editor will review the request and provide written confirmation once the withdrawal has been processed.

The manuscript will be considered officially withdrawn after confirmation from the editorial office.

3.2. Withdrawal During Editorial Assessment or Peer Review

Withdrawal after a manuscript has entered editorial assessment or peer review should be undertaken only for legitimate and clearly explained reasons.

The corresponding author must submit a formal written request describing the circumstances and confirming the agreement of all co-authors.

The Editorial Board may request further clarification when necessary.

The withdrawal process will be documented through the journal's editorial communication system.

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to another journal while it remains under active consideration by BANUA.

Once withdrawal has been confirmed in writing, authors may submit their work elsewhere, provided that no other ethical, legal, or contractual restrictions apply.

Withdrawal does not automatically terminate an ongoing inquiry into suspected plagiarism, duplicate submission, fabricated data, authorship disputes, ethical violations, or other serious research-integrity concerns.

When necessary, BANUA may continue an appropriate preliminary assessment or refer the matter to a relevant institution or authority.

3.3. Withdrawal After Manuscript Acceptance

Withdrawal of an accepted manuscript is strongly discouraged because the manuscript has already completed substantial editorial and peer-review procedures.

However, BANUA recognizes that exceptional circumstances may justify withdrawal before formal publication.

Such circumstances may include serious errors discovered after acceptance, unresolved ethical concerns, significant authorship disputes, or other legitimate reasons affecting the integrity of the work.

The corresponding author must submit a formal written withdrawal request that includes:

1. The manuscript title and identification number.

2. A detailed explanation of the reason for withdrawal.

3. Relevant supporting documentation, when applicable.

4. Confirmation that all co-authors have been informed and agree to the request.

The Editor-in-Chief or an authorized editor will evaluate the circumstances and determine the appropriate editorial action.

Withdrawal after acceptance is subject to formal editorial review and written confirmation.

Where a concern relates to research misconduct or unreliable findings, the journal may undertake further assessment before closing the manuscript record.

3.4. Withdrawal After Online Publication

Once an article has been formally published online, it becomes part of the scholarly record and cannot ordinarily be treated as an unpublished manuscript that may simply be withdrawn.

Concerns identified after online publication will be addressed through the journal's correction, Expression of Concern, or retraction procedures.

Removal of a published article from the journal's online platform may be considered only in exceptional circumstances, including:

1. A binding legal requirement.

2. A serious violation of personal privacy or confidentiality.

3. A substantial risk to personal safety.

4. Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information that cannot reasonably be addressed through correction or retraction.

5. Other compelling legal or ethical circumstances requiring restricted access or removal.

Any removal will be handled cautiously and documented as transparently as permitted by the circumstances.

The journal will seek to preserve an appropriate record of the article's publication history whenever possible.

4. Expressions of Concern

BANUA may publish an Expression of Concern when credible and substantial questions arise regarding the reliability, integrity, or ethical compliance of a published article, but the available evidence is insufficient to justify an immediate final editorial decision.

An Expression of Concern may be considered when:

1. An investigation into suspected research misconduct or publication ethics violations is ongoing.

2. Relevant research institutions or authorities have not completed their assessment.

3. Authors or institutions have not provided sufficient information to resolve significant concerns.

4. Available evidence indicates a potential problem with the reliability of the published findings.

5. Questions concerning environmental monitoring data, laboratory results, or other research evidence require further verification.

6. Other circumstances justify informing readers about unresolved concerns affecting the publication.

An Expression of Concern will identify the article and describe the nature of the unresolved issue to the extent supported by available evidence and permitted by applicable confidentiality and legal requirements.

The notice will be linked to the original publication and made publicly accessible.

An Expression of Concern does not automatically establish that misconduct has occurred or that the article's findings are invalid.

Following further assessment, BANUA may maintain or update the notice, publish a correction, retract the article, or conclude that no additional editorial action is required.

5. Editorial Assessment and Decision-Making

All requests or reports concerning corrections, retractions, manuscript withdrawals, and Expressions of Concern will be assessed individually by the BANUA Editorial Board or an appropriately authorized editor.

Depending on the circumstances, the editorial team may:

1. Conduct an initial assessment of the reported concern and available evidence.

2. Request explanations, original datasets, environmental sampling records, laboratory documentation, research protocols, ethical approval records, consent documentation, or other relevant materials from the authors.

3. Consult independent reviewers, environmental health specialists, laboratory experts, statisticians, or research ethics specialists.

4. Contact authors' affiliated institutions, research ethics committees, funding agencies, or other relevant authorities when necessary.

5. Examine the reliability and scientific implications of the identified problem.

6. Evaluate author responses and supporting evidence before determining the appropriate editorial action.

Editorial decisions will consider the reliability of the evidence, the seriousness of the issue, the potential impact on the scholarly record, and relevant publication ethics principles.

Editors must disclose potential conflicts of interest and withdraw from the assessment when their impartiality may reasonably be questioned.

BANUA will seek to provide affected parties with a fair opportunity to explain their positions and submit relevant supporting information.

However, the journal may take timely protective action when necessary to alert readers to significant concerns involving scientific reliability, environmental health risks, or public health protection.

The final editorial decision will be made by the Editor-in-Chief or another appropriately authorized and independent editor.

6. Publication Fees and Refunds

Any article-processing charges or other publication-related fees paid to BANUA will be managed in accordance with the journal's officially published fee policy and applicable institutional financial procedures.

The journal maintains separate arrangements for manuscript submission, optional fast-track review, and article publication charges, as described on its official Article Processing Charge page.

Authors requesting manuscript withdrawal must communicate with the Editorial Office regarding any applicable financial obligations or potential refund arrangements.

The withdrawal of a manuscript does not automatically determine whether previously paid fees are refundable.

Refund requests, when applicable, will be assessed according to the nature of the payment, the services already provided, the stage of manuscript processing, and the journal's officially approved financial policies.

Any conditions concerning non-refundable charges, deductions, or additional administrative fees must be clearly established and communicated through the journal's authorized fee policy.

Financial considerations must not influence decisions concerning scientific quality, manuscript acceptance, research integrity, or publication ethics.

BANUA remains committed to transparency, fairness, and accountability in managing publication-related fees.

7. Appeals

Authors and other directly affected individuals may appeal an editorial decision concerning corrections, retractions, manuscript withdrawals, or related publication ethics matters.

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the BANUA Editorial Office.

The appeal should include:

1. Identification of the manuscript or published article.

2. A description of the editorial decision being challenged.

3. Clear reasons for requesting reconsideration.

4. Relevant scientific evidence, documentation, or other supporting information.

5. Contact details of the individual submitting the appeal.

Where reasonably possible, appeals will be assessed by an editor who was not directly responsible for the original decision or by another independent editorial representative.

The Editorial Board will evaluate whether new evidence, significant factual errors, or procedural concerns justify reconsideration.

The journal may uphold, modify, or reconsider its previous decision based on the outcome of the assessment.

Repeated appeals that do not provide new evidence or substantive grounds for reconsideration may be declined.

The result of the appeal will be communicated to the relevant parties through the journal's official editorial communication channels.

8. Transparency, Archiving, and Publication Ethics

BANUA: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan is committed to preserving an accurate, transparent, and reliable scientific publication record.

Correction notices, retraction notices, and Expressions of Concern will be clearly identified and linked to the relevant published articles, where technically feasible.

These notices will remain accessible through the journal's online publication system, subject to applicable legal, privacy, and technical requirements.

The journal will seek to maintain the integrity of publication metadata, including article titles, author information, Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), publication dates, and relevant editorial notices.

BANUA will avoid making substantive changes to published articles without appropriate documentation and transparent communication.

All cases will be handled with due regard for confidentiality, procedural fairness, the rights of authors and research participants, and the public interest in reliable scientific information.

This policy operates in conjunction with the journal's other publication and editorial policies, including:

1. Publication Ethics.

2. Plagiarism Policy.

3. Allegations of Research Misconduct.

4. Authorship Criteria.

5. Conflict of Interest.

6. Post-Publication Discussion.

7. Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI.

8. Copyright and Open-Access Licensing.

BANUA follows relevant principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in addressing corrections, retractions, manuscript withdrawals, and other post-publication concerns.

By submitting a manuscript to BANUA, authors acknowledge their responsibility to conduct and report research honestly, provide accurate and ethically obtained scientific data, disclose relevant information, and cooperate with legitimate editorial inquiries.

The journal reserves the right to review and update this policy periodically to maintain consistency with developments in research integrity, environmental health sciences, publication ethics, and international scholarly publishing standards.