Corrections, Retractions & Appeals Policy
ElectroSenses – Journal of Bioelectromagnetics, Environmental & Functional Medicine is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the scientific record. This policy describes how the journal handles corrections, retractions, expressions of concern, and appeals of editorial decisions, in accordance with COPE guidelines.
1. Corrections
Corrections are issued when errors are identified in a published article that affect clarity, accuracy, or presentation but do not invalidate the scientific findings or conclusions.
Examples include:
- Minor errors in data presentation
- Typographical or formatting errors
- Author name or affiliation inaccuracies
Corrections are published as a separate notice, clearly linked to the original article, and the online version of the article may be updated with a notice indicating that a correction has been issued.
2. Retractions
Retractions are issued when a published article is found to be fundamentally unreliable due to:
- Major errors affecting the validity of the findings
- Research misconduct, including data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism
- Unethical research practices
- Duplicate or redundant publication
Retraction notices:
- Clearly identify the retracted article
- State the reason for retraction
- Distinguish between honest error and misconduct, where possible
Retracted articles remain accessible for the purpose of maintaining the scholarly record but are clearly marked as retracted.
3. Expressions of Concern
An Expression of Concern may be published when:
- There are serious questions regarding the integrity or validity of a publication
- An investigation is ongoing and a final outcome is not yet available
Expressions of concern are linked to the original article and updated or replaced once the investigation is concluded.
4. Investigation of Concerns
Concerns regarding published articles may be raised by readers, reviewers, editors, or third parties.
The journal follows COPE-recommended procedures when investigating concerns, which may include:
- Contacting the authors for clarification
- Requesting original data or documentation
- Consulting independent experts or institutional authorities where appropriate
All investigations are conducted fairly, confidentially, and without presumption of misconduct.
Concerns regarding the integrity of a published article or the conduct of research may also be reported directly to the editorial office. Reports should include sufficient detail to allow an appropriate investigation.
Email: info@electrosenses.com
5. Appeals of Editorial Decisions
Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe a decision was based on a factual error, misunderstanding, or procedural issue.
Appeals must:
- Be submitted in writing
- Clearly state the grounds for the appeal
- Address specific reviewer or editorial comments
Appeals are evaluated by an editor not involved in the original decision. The outcome of an appeal is final.
6. Timeliness and Transparency
The journal aims to address corrections, retractions, expressions of concern, and appeals in a timely manner while ensuring due process for all parties involved.
All notices related to corrections or retractions are published openly and linked to the affected article to ensure transparency.
Updates to published articles are recorded through the Crossmark system to ensure that readers can easily verify the current status of the article and access any related correction or retraction notices.
7. Version of Record
ElectroSenses maintains the published article as the Version of Record. When corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions are issued, the original article remains accessible to preserve the scholarly record. Any updates are clearly indicated and linked to the original publication.
8. Editorial Responsibility
Editors are responsible for safeguarding the integrity of the scientific record and for applying this policy consistently and objectively. Decisions are based on evidence, ethical standards, and COPE guidance, independent of commercial or reputational considerations.