Crossmark, Corrections, Retractions, and Withdrawal Policy

Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif (Comprehensive Nursing Journal)

Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif (Comprehensive Nursing Journal), referred to below as the journal, is committed to maintaining an accurate, reliable, and transparent scholarly record. This policy explains how the journal handles corrections, addenda, expressions of concern, retractions, exceptional content removal, author name changes, and manuscript withdrawal.

Editorial decisions under this policy are guided by relevant Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations, and the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. Decisions are based on the evidence and the integrity of the publication record, independently of publication fees or other financial interests.

1. Version of Record and Publication History

The Version of Record (VoR) is the final published version of an article, including its text, tables, figures, references, and associated supplementary material. Articles published online, including online-first articles, are covered by the post-publication procedures in this policy even before assignment to a journal issue.

The journal preserves the publication record and documents changes that affect the meaning, interpretation, attribution, or reliability of published content. Substantive changes are accompanied by a clearly identified, dated notice. If a corrected article version is issued, the changes and correction date are recorded, and earlier versions are preserved, subject to justified privacy, legal, or safety restrictions.

The original publication date remains part of the article history. A later correction is recorded with its own date and does not replace the original publication date.

2. Crossmark and Article Status

Crossmark is a service provided by Crossref that enables readers to check a publication’s status and discover registered updates.

Where Crossmark is implemented for an article, readers may select the Crossmark button on the article page or PDF to view the information registered for that article. The journal is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information it supplies to Crossref and for registering relevant updates.

Readers should also consult the article landing page and any linked editorial notices, particularly when using a previously downloaded PDF. Where no Crossmark button is available, the article landing page provides access to published updates. Crossmark communicates publication status; it does not independently verify the accuracy of the research.

3. Reporting Errors and Raising Concerns

Authors, readers, reviewers, and institutions may report an error or concern to the Editorial Office through the contact details below. Reports should identify the article title and DOI or manuscript ID, describe the concern, and provide relevant supporting information. Authors should notify the journal promptly when they discover a significant error in their work.

The journal assesses reports on their substance and supporting evidence. A report is not dismissed solely because the person raising the concern wishes to remain anonymous. Personal information and sensitive materials are handled confidentially to the extent consistent with a fair investigation and applicable requirements.

The editor assesses the concern, invites an author response where appropriate, and may request underlying data, analysis files, relevant approvals, or other documentation. Such requests must respect participant confidentiality and legitimate restrictions on data access. Independent reviewers, statistical advisers, institutions, or other responsible bodies may be consulted when necessary.

The Editorial Office acknowledges reports promptly and informs the relevant parties about the review process and any material delays. An editor with a conflict of interest does not decide the case. If the concern involves the Editor-in-Chief, a suitably qualified independent editor is appointed to handle it.

4. Corrections

A correction is appropriate when an error affects the publication record or understanding of an article but does not render the work as a whole unreliable. The editor determines the appropriate action after assessing the error and its consequences.

4.1 Publisher Corrections and Author Corrections

A Publisher Correction (Erratum) addresses an error introduced during editorial processing, production, or publication. An Author Correction (Corrigendum) addresses an error originating in the submitted or author-approved material. Where responsibility is shared or cannot be established, the notice may be titled Correction.

A formal correction is normally required for errors affecting results, statistical analyses, instrument descriptions or scoring, tables, figures, interpretation, substantive references, author attribution, or material funding and conflict-of-interest disclosures. The notice explains what was wrong, what has been corrected, and how the correction affects the results or conclusions.

The journal does not alter numerical results or other substantive information solely on request without an adequate evidential basis. Where necessary, corrected analyses undergo further expert review. If the available evidence shows that the article is unreliable, retraction is considered instead.

4.2 Minor Corrections and Metadata Updates

Minor spelling, grammatical, formatting, or technical errors that do not change meaning, attribution, or interpretation may be corrected without a separate correction notice. Such changes are recorded in the journal’s production history; a dated update note is added where readers need to understand the change.

Routine metadata repairs are assessed according to their effect on the publication record. A substantive change to author attribution, article identification, or scientific content requires a formal notice, except for confidential author name changes handled under Section 9. Relevant article files and metadata are kept consistent.

5. Addenda

An addendum provides additional information that the editor considers essential to understanding a published article. It identifies the original article and explains why the information is being added.

An addendum does not replace a correction for an error or a retraction for unreliable work. Substantial new data, new analyses, or a separate research contribution normally require a new submission and the appropriate peer-review process. New material included in an addendum may also require expert review.

6. Expressions of Concern

An Expression of Concern is a separate editorial notice alerting readers to a credible, significant, unresolved concern about an article’s reliability or ethical integrity. It may be appropriate when the available evidence is inconclusive, an investigation is continuing, or a conclusive investigation cannot be obtained.

The notice describes the concern and the limits of the available evidence without presenting unresolved allegations as established findings. It is linked to the affected article and is distinct from an addendum.

The journal reviews the notice when further information becomes available and publishes an appropriate update explaining the outcome, which may include a correction, retraction, or resolution of the concern.

7. Retractions

Retraction is used when an article cannot remain in the literature without a clear warning that it is unreliable or seriously breaches publication or research ethics. Grounds may include:

  • Major errors or flaws that invalidate the findings or conclusions.
  • Fabrication, falsification, or other manipulation that compromises the integrity of the work.
  • Plagiarism or substantial redundant publication without appropriate disclosure or justification.
  • Publication of data or material without the necessary authorization, or serious violations of research ethics or participant consent requirements.
  • Manipulation of the peer-review or publication process that undermines the article’s integrity.
  • An undisclosed competing interest that materially compromises the interpretation of the work or the publication decision.

The journal makes reasonable efforts to inform the authors of the concerns, gives them a reasonable opportunity to respond, and notifies them of the retraction decision before publication of the notice. A lack of response or disagreement does not prevent retraction when the evidence warrants it. The notice identifies who is retracting the article, explains the grounds, cites the original article, and records the authors’ agreement or disagreement where known and relevant.

The article normally remains accessible with a prominent RETRACTED label on its landing page and full-text versions. Its DOI remains active and links readers to the article’s status and the retraction notice. Non-payment of fees alone is not a reason for retraction or removal.

8. Exceptional Content Removal

Removal of published content is reserved for exceptional circumstances in which a correction or retraction does not adequately address the problem. Examples include a serious risk of harm, disclosure of protected personal information, infringement of legal rights, or a binding legal requirement.

Removal is limited to the content necessary to address the problem. The journal retains the article’s bibliographic record and a dated removal notice wherever legally and ethically possible. The notice explains the reason to the extent that disclosure is permitted and does not reproduce the harmful or confidential material. The DOI continues to resolve to a landing page identifying the removal, unless retaining that information is prohibited by a binding legal requirement.

9. Authorship Corrections and Confidential Name Changes

Requests to add or remove an author, change author order, or alter attribution normally require an explanation and written agreement from all affected authors. The journal may request contribution statements and further supporting information. Where agreement cannot be obtained or contributions are disputed, the journal may seek findings from the relevant institutions and determine the appropriate action on the basis of verified evidence and applicable COPE guidance. Approved post-publication authorship changes are normally documented in a correction notice.

An author’s request to change their published name for personal reasons is handled separately and confidentially. The journal does not require a legal name-change document or an explanation of the personal circumstances. It may use proportionate checks to confirm that the request comes from the author concerned.

At the author’s request, the journal updates the name in the article and associated metadata without a public correction notice or notification to co-authors. The former name and the reason for the change are not publicly disclosed through this process. Relevant indexing services are asked to update their records, although the journal cannot guarantee changes to independently held copies or external databases. This procedure changes the author’s name, not the identity of the person credited with the work.

10. Withdrawal Before Publication

Authors may request withdrawal at any stage before publication by the journal, including after acceptance. The corresponding author should provide the manuscript ID, title, reason for withdrawal, and confirmation that all co-authors have been informed and agree.

If there is a disagreement among authors, or another author raises a concern about proceeding, the journal pauses publication while the issue is reviewed. A withdrawal request does not prevent the journal from assessing credible concerns about research or publication integrity.

On receiving a withdrawal request from an author, the journal pauses publication while it verifies the request and resolves any disagreement among the authors. Verified requests are processed promptly, and closure is confirmed in writing. Authors should obtain this confirmation before submitting the manuscript elsewhere. Withdrawal confirmation will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Submission alone does not transfer copyright or grant unrestricted publishing rights to the journal. Copyright and licensing arrangements are governed by the journal’s published policies and any applicable publishing agreement.

Once the journal has published an article, including online-first publication before assignment to an issue, requests to change its status are handled through the correction, retraction, or exceptional removal procedures above.

11. Notices, Linking, and Metadata

Formal corrections, addenda, expressions of concern, retractions, and removal notices are published as clearly identified, freely accessible records. Each notice has its own publication date and DOI, identifies the affected article, and explains the editorial action.

The original article’s landing page and the notice are linked in both directions. The journal updates the article landing page, relevant full-text status information, Crossref records, and other metadata it controls. Relevant indexing and preservation services are notified or supplied with updated records, as appropriate. Their processing times and independently held copies remain outside the journal’s control.

Corrected versions are clearly labelled and linked to their correction history. Previous versions are retained in the archive and made available on request where appropriate, subject to the privacy, legal, and safety exceptions in this policy. Substantive changes are not made by silently replacing a published article.

12. Fees and Appeals

The journal does not charge authors for corrections, addenda, expressions of concern, retractions, removal notices, or confidential name changes. These notices are free for readers to access. No withdrawal fee is charged for a manuscript withdrawn before publication.

Any applicable refund terms for article processing charges must be disclosed before payment. Refund requests are assessed against those disclosed terms, and the outcome and its basis are communicated to the authors. Financial matters are handled separately from decisions about withdrawal and the integrity of the publication record.

Authors and other affected parties may appeal an editorial decision by providing a reasoned explanation and relevant evidence to the Editorial Office. An editor who was not responsible for the original decision, and who has no relevant conflict of interest, reviews the appeal. An appeal does not automatically delay an action needed to protect readers or the scholarly record.

13. Contact

Requests and concerns should be addressed to the Editorial Office, Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif (Comprehensive Nursing Journal).

Email: jkk.stikepppnijabar@gmail.com

Contact page: Journal contact information

Please include the article DOI or manuscript ID and a clear description of the request. Sensitive participant information should not be included in an initial email.

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