Correction and Retraction

1. Policy Statement

The International Journal Linguistics of Sumatra and Malay (IJLSM) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal recognizes that errors or concerns may arise after publication and that appropriate editorial action is necessary to ensure the reliability of published research.

IJLSM handles corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions in accordance with the nature and seriousness of the issue, the available evidence, and recognized principles of publication ethics, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), where applicable.

The purpose of these procedures is to correct the scholarly record, inform readers of significant concerns, and preserve the credibility of published research.

2. Corrections

A correction may be issued when an error or omission is identified in a published article and the issue can be rectified without invalidating the overall reliability of the research or its principal conclusions.

Corrections may address errors involving author names, affiliations, funding information, acknowledgements, references, tables, figures, linguistic examples, data presentation, or other published information.

The editorial team will assess the significance of the error and determine whether a formal correction notice is necessary. Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the meaning or interpretation of an article may not require a separate notice.

A correction notice will identify the original article, describe the error, and provide the corrected information. Where relevant, the notice will explain whether the correction affects the interpretation, findings, or conclusions of the article.

Corrections will be linked to the original article and made available to readers. The original publication record will be maintained, with appropriate amendments or links to the correction notice, as technically feasible.

3. Retractions

Retraction is an editorial action taken when a published article is found to be sufficiently unreliable or ethically compromised that its continued presentation as valid scholarly work could mislead readers or undermine the integrity of the scholarly record.

A retraction may be considered in circumstances including, but not limited to:

• Clear evidence that research findings are unreliable because of fabrication, falsification, or serious error.

• Substantial plagiarism or unauthorized use of another person's intellectual work.

• Duplicate or redundant publication that seriously violates publication ethics.

• Serious violations of research ethics, including the absence of required ethical approval or consent where applicable.

• Material misrepresentation of research data, methods, sources, or findings.

• Other substantiated circumstances that fundamentally undermine the reliability, originality, or ethical integrity of the article.

Retraction will not be based solely on differences of scholarly opinion, criticism of an article's theoretical position, or a request from an author who wishes to withdraw an otherwise valid publication for personal or professional reasons.

The editorial team will evaluate the available evidence and the seriousness of the concerns before making a decision. Where appropriate, the journal may consult independent experts, relevant institutions, or other competent authorities.

4. Expressions of Concern

An expression of concern may be published when credible evidence raises significant questions about the reliability or integrity of a published article, but the available information is insufficient to reach a final decision.

This action may be appropriate when an investigation is ongoing, relevant evidence cannot yet be verified, or a response from an institution or another responsible party is pending.

An expression of concern will identify the article and explain the nature of the concern to the extent supported by the available evidence. It will be linked to the original publication so that readers are aware of the unresolved issue.

An expression of concern does not constitute a final finding of misconduct. Depending on the outcome of further assessment, the journal may publish a correction, proceed with retraction, or take no further action.

5. Initiation of Correction or Retraction Procedures

A request for correction or a concern that may warrant retraction may be submitted by authors, readers, reviewers, editors, research institutions, or other parties with relevant information.

Requests should identify the published article and provide a clear explanation of the alleged error or concern, together with supporting evidence where available.

Upon receiving a request or identifying a potential problem, the editorial team will:

1. Conduct a preliminary assessment of the concern and its potential impact on the published article.

2. Examine relevant evidence, which may include the article, original data, research materials, publication records, similarity reports, or ethical documentation.

3. Contact the authors or other relevant parties for clarification when appropriate.

4. Seek independent expert advice or consult the relevant institution when necessary.

5. Determine the appropriate editorial action based on the evidence and applicable publication ethics standards.

The journal will provide relevant parties with a reasonable opportunity to respond to substantive concerns before reaching an adverse decision, where appropriate and consistent with the circumstances of the case.

The duration of the assessment will depend on the complexity of the matter, the availability of evidence, and the need for external consultation. IJLSM will seek to resolve cases promptly without compromising fairness or investigative rigor.

6. Author Requests for Correction or Retraction

Authors who identify an error in their published article should notify the editorial office as soon as possible and provide sufficient information to explain the issue and its potential implications.

If the error can be corrected without undermining the principal findings or conclusions, the journal may issue a correction notice.

If authors believe that their article contains fundamentally unreliable findings or serious ethical problems, they may request that the journal consider retraction. Such requests must include a clear explanation and relevant supporting documentation.

An author's request does not automatically result in correction or retraction. The final decision rests with the journal following an appropriate assessment of the evidence and the implications for the scholarly record.

Authors cannot unilaterally remove or withdraw a published article from the journal's official record.

7. Publication of Notices

Correction notices, expressions of concern, and retraction notices will be published transparently and linked to the original article wherever technically feasible.

A correction notice should identify the affected article, describe the error, state the corrected information, and explain the implications for the published work where relevant.

A retraction notice should identify the retracted article, explain the principal reasons for retraction, and distinguish between findings supported by the available evidence and matters that remain unresolved. The notice should identify who is retracting the article where this information can be established.

The original article will ordinarily remain accessible with a clear retraction notice or watermark and appropriate metadata, except where exceptional legal or security considerations require a different approach.

Where applicable, the journal will update the article's publication status and associated metadata, including DOI-related records, to reflect the correction or retraction.

8. Responsibilities and Appeals

Authors are responsible for promptly reporting significant errors discovered in their published work and cooperating with reasonable editorial inquiries concerning the accuracy and integrity of their research.

The editorial team is responsible for assessing reported concerns impartially, maintaining appropriate confidentiality during investigations, documenting editorial decisions, and ensuring that corrective action is proportionate to the evidence.

Editors must disclose and manage conflicts of interest during the assessment process. Where an editor is personally involved in the article or otherwise unable to act impartially, the matter should be assigned to an independent editor where feasible.

Authors or other affected parties who believe that a correction, expression of concern, or retraction decision is based on a factual error or procedural irregularity may submit a written appeal to the editorial office. Appeals should identify the decision being challenged and provide relevant supporting evidence.

Where feasible, the appeal will be assessed by an editor who was not directly involved in the original decision. The journal may seek independent expert advice when necessary. Submission of an appeal does not automatically suspend an editorial action.

9. Commitment to the Scholarly Record

IJLSM is committed to ensuring that published research remains as accurate, transparent, and reliable as possible. Corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions are essential mechanisms for addressing errors and protecting the scholarly record when problems are identified after publication.

The journal will apply these procedures fairly and consistently, taking into account the evidence, the seriousness of the concern, the rights of affected parties, and the interests of readers and the wider research community.

All actions will be undertaken in accordance with recognized principles of publication ethics, including relevant guidance from COPE, where applicable.