Corrections and Retractions Policy
Maintaining the Integrity of the Scholarly Record
JCRELC is committed to maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the scholarly record. This policy outlines the procedures for making corrections, issuing retractions, and handling post-publication changes to published articles.
The Journal of Creative Research in English Literature and Culture (JCRELC) follows the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for handling corrections and retractions. We are committed to transparency and accountability in all post-publication changes.
1. Corrections Overview
Corrections are changes made to published articles to address errors or omissions that do not fundamentally alter the conclusions or validity of the research. JCRELC distinguishes between minor and substantive corrections:
Minor Corrections
- Typographical errors
- Spelling and grammatical mistakes
- Formatting inconsistencies
- Reference formatting corrections
- Contact information updates
- Minor wording improvements
Substantive Corrections
- Data errors that affect interpretation
- Methodology clarifications
- Author name or affiliation changes
- Reference omissions or corrections
- Acknowledgement additions
- Figure or table replacements
Note: All substantive corrections require formal documentation and approval by the Editor-in-Chief.
2. Types of Corrections
Minor Corrections
Typos, formatting, and grammar fixes that do not affect meaning
No FeeErrata/Corrigenda
Substantive corrections with formal notices
$200 USD FeeExpression of Concern
Notification of concerns pending investigation
Under InvestigationRetraction
Formal withdrawal of invalid or unethical research
Serious Action3. Errata vs. Corrigenda
| Aspect | Erratum (Publisher Error) | Corrigendum (Author Error) |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible Party | Publisher (JCRELC) | Author(s) |
| Reason | Production or typesetting error | Author-identified error in content |
| Initiation | Publisher initiates correction | Author requests correction |
| Notice Title | "Erratum" | "Corrigendum" |
| DOI Assignment | New DOI for erratum notice | New DOI for corrigendum notice |
| Linkage | Bidirectional link between article and notice | Bidirectional link between article and notice |
| Fee | No fee (publisher error) | $200 USD fee |
Note: Both errata and corrigenda are peer-reviewed and approved by the Editor-in-Chief before publication.
4. Correction Process
Request Submission
Author submits correction request with details of the error, correct information, and justification. All co-authors must be copied.
Editorial Review
Editor-in-Chief evaluates the significance of the correction and determines if formal notice is required.
Fee Notification
For author-initiated substantive corrections, the $200 USD fee is confirmed. Payment must be received before processing.
Correction Notice Publication
Formal notice is drafted, approved, and published. Bidirectional links are created between the notice and the original article.
Indexing Update
Correction metadata is submitted to CrossRef and indexing databases to ensure proper linkage.
Timeline
3-5 working days
7-14 working days
2-4 weeks
5. Retractions
Retraction of Articles
JCRELC will consider retraction of an article when serious issues are identified that invalidate the research or violate ethical standards.
Valid Grounds for Retraction
- Major Error: Significant error that invalidates the findings (author-initiated)
- Plagiarism: Unattributed use of others' work
- Data Fabrication: Falsified or fabricated data
- Unethical Research: Research conducted without ethical approval
- Authorship Disputes: Unresolved authorship conflicts
- Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized use of copyrighted material
- Conflict of Interest: Undisclosed major conflicts
- Redundant Publication: Duplicate publication of the same research
Not Valid Grounds for Retraction
- Minor Errors: Errors that do not affect conclusions
- Disagreement: Disagreement with reviewers or editors
- Preference: Preference for a different journal
- Outdated Research: Age of the research alone
- Interpretation: Subjective differences in interpretation
- Business Reasons: Business or commercial reasons
- Personal Reasons: Personal disagreements
Retraction Procedure
- Investigation: Editor-in-Chief initiates investigation following COPE guidelines
- Author Response: Authors are given opportunity to respond to concerns
- Retraction Notice: Retraction notice is published with clear reason stated
- Article Marking: Original article remains online with "RETRACTED" watermark
- PDF Marking: PDF and HTML versions clearly marked as retracted
- CrossRef Update: Retraction metadata deposited with CrossRef
- Indexing Update: Indexing services are notified of retraction
6. Expressions of Concern
An Expression of Concern is a formal notification to readers that concerns have been raised about the validity of a published article pending investigation.
When Issued
- Evidence of potential misconduct is found
- Investigation is ongoing and cannot be expedited
- Public health or safety concerns exist
- Institutional investigation is underway
- Serious concerns about data integrity
Resolution
- If concerns are resolved, Expression of Concern is updated
- If concerns are confirmed, retraction may follow
- If concerns are unfounded, removal of notice
- Full transparency maintained throughout
Note: Expressions of Concern are published with the full cooperation of the authors and institutions involved.
7. Article Removals
Article Removal (Very Rare)
Article removal is extremely rare and occurs only under specific circumstances where preservation of the scholarly record is not possible.
| Situation | Action | Preservation |
|---|---|---|
| Retraction | Article remains online with "RETRACTED" notice | Full article preserved for scholarly record |
| Removal (rare) | Article removed from website | Only under legal/court order or serious defamation |
| Replacement | Corrected version replaces original | Original preserved internally; replacement noted |
| Expression of Concern | Notice attached to article; no removal | Full article remains accessible |
Note: Complete removal of articles is only performed under legal compulsion (court order) or in cases of defamation, privacy violations, or legal threats to the publisher.
8. Version Control
Version of Record
The definitive published version, archived in CLOCKSS/LOCKSS
Correction History
All corrections documented with date and nature of change
DOI Persistence
DOI always resolves to current version with correction history
Version Tracking
Each version of a corrected article is preserved internally. Readers can access the current version and, upon request, previous versions for research purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
COPE Compliance
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
JCRELC follows COPE guidelines for corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern. Our procedures are aligned with COPE's best practices for:
- Handling post-publication corrections
- Issuing retractions and expressions of concern
- Maintaining transparency in the correction process
- Protecting the integrity of the scholarly record
Related Policies
Questions About Corrections or Retractions?
If you have any questions about corrections, retractions, or post-publication changes, please contact our editorial office.
+91-7665235235
Please include "Correction Query" in your email subject line for faster response.