Article Retraction Requests

Overview

Kafkasya Journal of Health Sciences (KJHS) is committed to ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of its published content. All retraction requests are handled in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) and ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) guidelines. The retraction process is designed to be transparent, fair, and consistent, protecting both the scientific record and the rights of authors.

Who Can Submit a Retraction Request

Retraction requests may be submitted by:

  • The authors of the article
  • Whistleblowers or third parties who identify potential errors or ethical concerns
  • Institutional representatives, where applicable

Requests must include a detailed explanation and, where possible, supporting evidence (e.g., documentation of errors, data irregularities, or ethical concerns).

Retraction Request Procedure

  1. Initial Review:
    • All requests are initially reviewed by the Editorial Board to determine their validity and scope.
    • The Board evaluates the nature of the concern, the potential impact on the research record, and available supporting documentation.
  2. Investigation:
    • When necessary, the Editorial Board may consult:
      • The article authors
      • Peer reviewers
      • Independent experts or other Editors-in-Chief
    • Institutional collaboration may occur if misconduct is suspected.
  3. Decision Making:
    • The decision to retract is based on the seriousness of the error or ethical breach, the reliability of findings, and supporting evidence.
    • Retraction notices are issued following COPE guidelines, including cases of:
      • Data fabrication or falsification
      • Plagiarism
      • Ethical violations in human or animal research
      • Serious methodological errors
  4. Communication:
    • Authors and whistleblowers are notified of the decision.
    • Retraction notices are published in the journal and linked to the original article.
    • DOIs and indexing records are updated to reflect the retraction.

Post-Retraction Handling

  • Retracted articles remain in the journal’s archive for transparency but are clearly labeled as retracted.
  • Retraction notices include:
    • The reason for retraction
    • The parties involved (authors, editors, institutions, if appropriate)
    • A link to the retracted article
  • All versions of the article retain citation information to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Submission Instructions

To submit a retraction request, please email:

Editorial Office: editor@kafkasyajournal.com

Include the following:

  1. Article title, authors, DOI, and publication date
  2. Detailed explanation of the issue
  3. Supporting documentation or evidence
  4. Contact information of the requester

All retraction requests are treated confidentially and reviewed as promptly as possible.

Transparency and Accountability

KJHS ensures that:

  • All retraction requests are handled in a transparent and ethical manner
  • The decision-making process is consistent with international best practices
  • Retraction notices preserve the scholarly record while correcting the literature