Retraction Policy

Purpose

RJCCN is committed to maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the scholarly record. When published articles are found to contain significant errors, ethical violations, or scientific misconduct, the journal may issue a retraction to alert readers and preserve the integrity of the literature.

This policy is guided by the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Grounds for Retraction

An article may be retracted if:

  • There is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable due to data fabrication, data falsification, or significant errors.
  • The article contains plagiarism or substantial unattributed overlap with previously published work.
  • The article constitutes duplicate or redundant publication.
  • Research was conducted without required ethical approval or informed consent.
  • There is evidence of authorship misconduct, peer-review manipulation, or citation manipulation.
  • The publication violates legal, ethical, or professional standards.

Retraction Procedure

When concerns are raised regarding a published article, the Editorial Office will conduct an investigation in accordance with established publication ethics principles.

The journal may:

  • Request explanations from the authors.
  • Seek clarification from reviewers, editors, or institutions.
  • Consult independent experts when necessary.
  • Contact relevant institutions or research organizations for additional information.

Authors will be given an opportunity to respond to allegations before a final decision is made.

Retraction Notice

When an article is retracted:

  • A formal retraction notice will be published.
  • The retraction notice will be linked to the original article.
  • The notice will clearly state the reason(s) for retraction.
  • The notice will identify who initiated the retraction, when appropriate.
  • The original article will remain accessible as part of the scholarly record.

Retained Access to Retracted Articles

Retracted articles will not be removed from the journal website except in exceptional legal circumstances.

The article PDF and HTML versions, when available, will be clearly marked as "Retracted" to ensure readers are aware of the article's status while preserving the scholarly record.

Corrections and Expressions of Concern

Not all problems require retraction.

  • Minor errors that do not affect the reliability of the work may be corrected through a Correction (Erratum or Corrigendum).
  • When serious concerns exist but an investigation is incomplete, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern.

Author-Initiated Retractions

Authors may request retraction when significant errors are discovered after publication. Such requests will be evaluated by the Editorial Board, and a decision will be made based on the circumstances and available evidence.

Editorial Responsibility

The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board are responsible for making final decisions regarding retractions. Decisions will be based on the integrity of the scientific record and the best interests of readers, researchers, and the broader scientific community.

Contact

Questions regarding this policy or concerns about published articles should be directed to the Editorial Office through the journal's official contact channels.

Note: RJCCN follows the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing and is guided by the recommendations of COPE and ICMJE.