Correction & Retraction Policy

Correction Policy

1. Purpose of Corrections

AIJSS is dedicated to maintaining the accuracy, clarity, and integrity of the scholarly record. Corrections help ensure that published research remains credible and useful—particularly in disciplines that inform policy, education, and public discourse.

2. Types of Corrections

  • Erratum (Publisher-Initiated)
    Issued when production-related errors (e.g., formatting, figure misplacement, metadata) occur without affecting the study's conclusions.

  • Corrigendum (Author-Initiated)
    Issued when authors identify substantive post-publication errors (e.g., incorrect data, analysis, or factual claims) that may impact interpretation but not validity of the study.

3. Correction Procedure

  • Error Detection:
    Errors can be reported by authors, editors, reviewers, or readers.

  • Editorial Review:
    The editorial team assesses the severity of the issue and determines the appropriate correction mechanism.

  • Implementation:
    A formal correction notice is issued, cross-linked with the original article. The main article remains intact unless the correction is critical.

4. Visibility & Indexing

Correction notices are:

  • Clearly labeled and linked to the affected article

  • Indexed in scholarly databases for transparency

  • Freely accessible under open access licensing

  • Permanently available on the journal’s website

❌ Retraction Policy

1. Purpose of Retractions

Retractions serve to withdraw published content when its validity is compromised due to ethical violations or fundamental errors. This ensures the scholarly record remains reliable and responsible.

2. Grounds for Retraction

  • Research Misconduct:
    Proven cases of plagiarism, falsification, fabrication, or unethical authorship practices.

  • Ethical Violations:
    Absence of required ethics approval (e.g., for studies involving humans/animals), or undisclosed conflicts of interest.

  • Critical Flaws:
    Major methodological issues or misinterpretations that undermine the reliability of conclusions.

3. Retraction Process

  • Investigation:
    Upon receiving concerns, the editorial team conducts an internal review. Authors and, if required, their institutions are contacted.

  • Editorial Decision:
    If misconduct or critical flaws are confirmed, a retraction is initiated, following COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.

  • Retraction Notice:
    A transparent notice is published, stating:

    • The reason for retraction

    • Who initiated the retraction

    • The article’s status

    The original article is retained with a RETRACTED watermark or header to ensure transparency and academic accountability.

4. Transparency & Indexing

Retracted articles and notices are:

  • Clearly labeled and accessible in all versions

  • Indexed in citation databases (e.g., DOAJ, Crossref, Google Scholar)

  • Available in perpetuity for academic reference

⚖️ Ethical Governance

AIJSS follows internationally recognized best practices, including:

  • COPE standards for corrections and retractions

  • Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan publication ethics

  • Full compliance with guidelines on transparency, integrity, and fairness in scholarly communication

???? Contact for Corrections or Retractions

???? Commitment to Responsible Publishing

We encourage authors and readers to promptly report errors, inconsistencies, or ethical concerns. AIJSS remains committed to upholding the credibility of research and fostering a responsible, transparent publishing environment.