Retraction is a mechanism for correcting the literature and alerting readers to publications that contain such seriously flawed or erroneous data that their findings and conclusions cannot be relied upon. Unreliable data may result from honest errors or research misconduct.

Retractions are also used to alert readers to cases of redundant publication (i.e., when authors present the same data in several publications), plagiarism, and failure to disclose a primary competing interest likely to influence interpretations or recommendations.

 

Note: Only published items can be retracted. Publications should be retracted as soon as possible after the journal editor is convinced that the publication is seriously flawed and misleading (or is redundant or plagiarized).

 

"Plagiarism," "Bogus claims of authorship," "Multiple submission," "Fraudulent use of data," "Infringements of professional ethical codes," "Redundant publication," and "Failure to disclose a major competing interest" are convincing Reasons for retracting the publication.
 

The process of Retraction

• For printed version: A retraction note titled “Retraction: [article title]” signed by the authors and/or the editor is published in the paginated part of a subsequent journal issue and listed in the contents list.
• For the electronic version, a link is made to the original article, which is retained unchanged save for a watermark on the PDF indicating on each page that it is “RETRACTED.” The HTML version of the document is removed.

 
For more information, see the: http://publicationethics.org/files/retraction%20guidelines.pdf