Article Retraction & Withdrawal Policy

1. Purpose and Principles

Plant Science Horizons is committed to maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the scholarly record. The journal recognizes that, in certain circumstances, it may be necessary to correct, withdraw, or retract published or submitted work. This policy outlines the procedures and conditions under which such actions are taken.

All decisions regarding retraction or withdrawal are made in accordance with recognized international standards of publication ethics and are guided by principles of transparency, fairness, accountability, and academic integrity.

2. Definitions

Withdrawal (Pre-Publication)

Withdrawal refers to the removal of a manuscript before it is formally published. This typically occurs during the submission, review, or production stages.

Retraction (Post-Publication)

Retraction refers to the formal removal or correction of a published article when its findings are no longer considered reliable or when serious ethical issues are identified.

Correction (Erratum/Correction Notice)

A correction is issued when a published article contains minor errors that do not invalidate the overall findings but require clarification or amendment.

Expression of Concern

An expression of concern may be issued when serious concerns are raised about a publication but sufficient evidence is not yet available to support a retraction.

3. Grounds for Article Withdrawal (Before Publication)

A manuscript may be withdrawn prior to publication under the following circumstances:

  • author-requested withdrawal before peer review or early in the review process
  • discovery of duplicate submission to another journal
  • significant errors identified by authors or editors
  • ethical concerns identified during editorial or peer review
  • failure of authors to respond to editorial communications for an extended period

Authors requesting withdrawal must provide a formal written request with justification. The editorial office reserves the right to approve or deny withdrawal requests, especially if the manuscript is already under review or near publication.

4. Grounds for Retraction (After Publication)

A published article may be retracted if:

  • there is clear evidence of data fabrication or falsification
  • plagiarism or redundant publication is detected
  • the findings are unreliable due to major errors
  • unethical research practices are identified
  • authorship disputes significantly affect the validity of the publication
  • conflicts of interest were not disclosed and compromise the work

Retraction is a serious action and is undertaken only after careful investigation.

5. Retraction Procedure

When a potential issue is identified, the editorial team will:

  1. Conduct an initial assessment of the concern
  2. Contact the authors for explanation and clarification
  3. Review supporting evidence, including reviewer reports and documentation
  4. Consult editorial board members or experts if necessary
  5. Make a final decision based on available evidence

The process is conducted confidentially and fairly, allowing all parties to respond.

6. Retraction Notice

If a retraction is issued:

  • a formal retraction notice will be published
  • the notice will clearly state the reason for retraction
  • the notice will be linked to the original article
  • the original article will remain accessible but clearly marked as “Retracted”

The purpose of retaining the article is to preserve the scholarly record while informing readers of its status.

7. Corrections and Errata

If an article contains minor errors that do not affect its overall conclusions, a correction (erratum) will be published.

Corrections may include:

  • typographical errors
  • author name corrections
  • minor data or figure adjustments
  • clarification of statements

The correction notice will be linked to the original article.

8. Expression of Concern

In cases where serious concerns are raised but an investigation is ongoing or inconclusive, the journal may issue an expression of concern.

This notice informs readers that:

  • questions have been raised about the article
  • the matter is under investigation
  • further action may follow

9. Author Responsibilities

Authors are expected to:

  • notify the journal immediately if they discover errors in their work
  • cooperate fully in investigations
  • provide accurate and complete information when requested

Failure to cooperate may influence editorial decisions regarding withdrawal or retraction.

10. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for:

  • investigating allegations of misconduct
  • maintaining confidentiality during investigations
  • ensuring fair and unbiased decision-making
  • taking appropriate action to correct the literature

Editors must act in accordance with ethical standards and ensure that decisions are based on evidence.

11. Handling Misconduct

All cases of suspected misconduct are handled following recognized ethical guidelines. Depending on the severity, actions may include:

  • manuscript rejection
  • publication of corrections or retractions
  • notification of authors’ institutions or funding bodies

The journal is committed to addressing misconduct responsibly and transparently.

12. Transparency and Record Integrity

All retraction, correction, and withdrawal actions are documented and publicly accessible. The journal ensures that:

  • the scholarly record remains transparent
  • readers are informed of changes
  • corrections are clearly linked to original articles

13. No Commercial Influence

Decisions regarding withdrawal or retraction are based solely on scientific and ethical considerations. Financial or commercial factors do not influence these decisions.

14. Appeals

Authors may appeal decisions related to retraction or withdrawal by submitting a detailed explanation with supporting evidence. Appeals will be reviewed by the editorial team, and decisions will be made objectively.

15. Final Statement

Plant Science Horizons is committed to preserving the integrity of scientific publishing. Through clear policies and ethical practices, the journal ensures that corrections, withdrawals, and retractions are handled responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with international standards.