Corrections, Retractions & Withdrawals

DAFS is committed to keeping the scholarly record accurate and trustworthy. When a published article requires amendment, the journal acts transparently and in accordance with COPE guidance. Post-publication notices are linked permanently to the article concerned, and the original article is preserved rather than removed, except in the rare circumstances described below.

Correction

A correction is issued where an otherwise reliable article contains an error — in its data, an author’s name, an affiliation or a figure — that affects the record or its interpretation. Minor typographical errors that do not alter meaning may be amended without a formal notice.

Expression of concern

The Editor-in-Chief may publish an expression of concern where there are well-founded doubts about the integrity or reliability of an article and an investigation is ongoing or inconclusive.

Retraction

An article is retracted where there is clear evidence that its findings are unreliable, whether through misconduct or honest error, or where the work is plagiarised, reports unethical or unsafe research, has been published elsewhere without disclosure, or rests on undisclosed conflicts that undermine its conclusions. Retractions follow the COPE flowcharts. The retracted article remains accessible, clearly labelled as retracted, with a linked notice stating the reason.

Withdrawal and removal

An author may request the withdrawal of a manuscript before publication, in writing, by the corresponding author on behalf of all authors; accepted manuscripts should be withdrawn only for compelling reasons. In rare circumstances — for example where an article is defamatory, infringes legal rights or presents a serious risk — the content may be removed while its metadata and a notice are retained.

Raising a concern

Readers who identify a possible error or integrity concern are asked to contact the Editorial Office at dafs@scholarpublishing.org; see also Complaints & Appeals.