Retraction Policy

A. Retraction Policy

An article may be retracted under the following circumstances:

  • There are serious scientific issues that invalidate the conclusions of the article, including clear evidence that the findings are unreliable due to research misconduct (e.g., data fabrication or falsification) or honest error (e.g., miscalculation or experimental error).

  • The findings have been previously published elsewhere without appropriate cross-referencing, permission, or justification (i.e., cases of redundant or duplicate publication).

  • There are violations of publication ethics, including plagiarism (the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without proper attribution, including material obtained through confidential peer review) or inappropriate authorship practices.

To ensure that retractions are handled in accordance with best publication practices and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Retraction Guidelines, JRMSTE adopts the following retraction procedure:

  • Any article that may require retraction is brought to the attention of the journal editor.

  • The editor follows the relevant COPE flowcharts and step-by-step procedures, including the evaluation of explanations and responses provided by the author(s).

  • The final decision regarding retraction is communicated to the author(s) and, where appropriate, to other relevant parties, such as the author’s affiliated institution.

  • A formal retraction notice is published online and in the next available issue of the journal.

Please note that even if the author(s) retain copyright of the article, this does not confer an automatic right to retract the article after publication. The integrity of the scholarly record is of paramount importance, and COPE Retraction Guidelines apply in all cases.

 

B. Withdrawal Policy

Author(s) are not permitted to withdraw manuscripts that are under peer review, as such withdrawals waste valuable editorial and reviewer resources. Authors are therefore required to read and fully understand the approved submission checklist prior to manuscript submission.

The following policies apply to manuscript withdrawal requests:

  • If the author(s) request withdrawal during the Submission Stage (initial editorial screening), the manuscript will be declined, and the author(s) will be blacklisted from submitting to JRMSTE for a period of one (1) year.

  • If the author(s) request withdrawal during the Peer Review Stage, a penalty of USD 100 per manuscript will be imposed.

  • If a manuscript is withdrawn after it has been accepted for publication, the author(s) will be charged a penalty of USD 200 per manuscript.

  • If an article has been published as an “Article in Press” and is found to contain a serious scientific error, redundant publication, or a violation of publication ethics, the article will be formally withdrawn from the JRMSTE website. In such cases, the PDF will remain accessible but will clearly indicate that the article has been withdrawn. A penalty of USD 250 per manuscript will apply.

  • If the author(s) refuse to accept or fail to pay the imposed penalty, the author(s) and their affiliates will be blacklisted from publication in JRMSTE for a period of three (3) years.

To request a withdrawal, the author(s) must submit a formal letter, signed by all co-authors, addressed to the Editor-in-Chief.

 

C. Correction Policy

JRMSTE may issue a correction under the following circumstances:

  • A minor portion of an otherwise reliable article contains incorrect or misleading data.

  • The list of authors or contributors is inaccurate (e.g., an eligible author has been omitted or an individual who does not meet authorship criteria has been included).

To request a correction, the author(s) must submit a formal letter, signed by all co-authors, addressed to the Editor-in-Chief.

C.1. Changes or Additions to Accepted Articles

All published content is subject to editorial oversight under the authority of the Editor-in-Chief. Requests for changes or additions after acceptance must be formally submitted to the editor and will undergo editorial evaluation.

  • If the proposed material constitutes new content, it must be submitted as a new manuscript and undergo peer review, with appropriate reference to the original article.

  • If the proposed changes involve replacing or correcting existing content, the editor may consider publishing an erratum or corrigendum, as appropriate.

C.2. Erratum

An erratum is issued to inform readers of significant errors introduced by the journal or publisher (typically during production) that may adversely affect the publication record, scientific integrity, or the reputation of the author(s) or the journal.

C.3. Corrigendum

A corrigendum is issued to inform readers of significant errors made by the author(s) that may adversely affect the publication record, scientific integrity, or the reputation of the author(s) or the journal. The author(s) should contact the journal editor, who will assess the nature and impact of the error and determine the appropriate corrective action.

The decision to issue a correction, as well as the type of correction required, rests with the Editor-in-Chief, who may consult reviewers or Editorial Board members as needed. The Editor-in-Chief will communicate with the author(s) for clarification; however, the final determination remains the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief.

 

D. Post-Publication Discussions

JRMSTE acknowledges the vital importance of continuous scholarly exchange and actively promotes constructive discussion after publication. Ongoing academic dialogue plays a fundamental role in maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and relevance of the scientific literature. This policy describes the formal procedures and ethical principles that govern the management of post-publication discussions. Such discussions may take the form of letters to the editor that address published articles, requests for corrections or clarifications, statements of concern related to research integrity, or retractions when ethical violations or significant errors have been verified.

Contributions in the form of letters or comments are expected to be concise, respectful, and grounded in reliable evidence, while focusing on issues of clear academic significance. Each submission must explicitly identify the referenced article by including the title, author names, publication date, and DOI to ensure clarity and traceability. Statements that contain personal attacks, provocative language, or unsupported allegations are not permitted under any circumstances.

D.1. Ethical and Responsible Communication

All post-publication communications are required to comply with the highest standards of ethical conduct. The principles of confidentiality, fairness, and respect for the rights of all involved parties are upheld throughout the evaluation and resolution process. Every exchange must be conducted with professionalism and responsibility.

D.2. Editorial Transparency and Documentation

JRMSTE demonstrates a strong commitment to editorial transparency in the handling of post-publication discussions. Editorial decisions and actions are carefully recorded, and any resulting corrections, clarifications, expressions of concern, or retractions are communicated in a clear and timely manner to the scholarly community. Through consistent application of these procedures, the journal safeguards the integrity of the academic record, strengthens accountability, and supports ongoing scholarly progress. Submissions related to post-publication discussions or related inquiries may be directed to the editorial office via jrmste@spm-online.com.