Retraction Policy

The International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM) is dedicated to preserving trust in the academic record. When issues are identified after publication—whether related to reliability, ethics, or the publication process—IJDRM uses clear post-publication actions to inform readers and keep the literature accurate. These actions may include a Correction, an Expression of Concern, or a Retraction. The primary goal is to ensure that the status of each article is easy to understand and that the journal’s content remains dependable.

1) IJDRM’s guiding approach

All post-publication decisions at IJDRM are guided by these principles:

  • Clarity for readers: the current status of an article must be immediately visible.
  • Fair procedure: authors are informed of concerns and given an opportunity to respond.
  • Evidence-based decisions: actions are taken based on verifiable information.
  • Protection of the scholarly record: IJDRM avoids “silent” changes and uses formal notices whenever the literature must be updated.

2) Types of post-publication actions

A) Correction (Erratum / Corrigendum)
A correction is used when mistakes are meaningful but do not undermine the central findings. Examples include incorrect labels, minor data presentation errors, citation mistakes, or limited clarifications that improve accuracy without changing the main conclusions.

B) Expression of Concern
An expression of concern may be issued when a serious question has been raised about an article’s reliability or ethical compliance, but a final determination cannot yet be made—typically because an inquiry is still underway or the available evidence is incomplete.

C) Retraction
A retraction is issued when IJDRM concludes that an article (or its essential parts) cannot be relied upon, or when a breach of publication integrity is so significant that continued inclusion without a retraction would mislead readers.

D) Removal of full text (exceptional measure)
Complete removal is very rare. IJDRM may restrict access to the full text only when there is a compelling legal or safety necessity (for example, a court order or a severe privacy risk). When this occurs, IJDRM maintains the bibliographic record and posts an explanatory notice indicating why the full text is not available.

3) Reasons an article may be retracted

IJDRM may retract an article for reasons including, but not limited to:

  • Major errors that invalidate key results or conclusions (e.g., critical analytical mistakes, fundamental design flaws, unreliable datasets).
  • Data or evidence manipulation, including fabrication or falsification of results, images, or materials.
  • Plagiarism or substantial uncredited reuse of text, ideas, or data.
  • Duplicate or redundant publication without transparent disclosure and appropriate justification.
  • Authorship or contribution irregularities when they affect accountability or the credibility of the work.
  • Serious ethical non-compliance, such as grave consent/privacy violations or missing required approvals where relevant.
  • Compromised editorial or peer-review processes, including manipulation of review pathways, false identities, or undisclosed conflicts that materially influenced evaluation.

4) Who can raise concerns

Concerns can be submitted by readers, reviewers, editors, institutions, funders, or authors. IJDRM may consider anonymous reports; however, follow-up questions may be necessary to verify details. Where appropriate, IJDRM treats the identity of those raising concerns as confidential.

5) How IJDRM evaluates concerns: process overview

IJDRM uses a structured workflow designed to be prompt, fair, and transparent:

  1. Initial screening: the editorial team assesses the nature of the concern and what evidence is required for verification.
  2. Author notification: the corresponding author (and, when needed, all co-authors) is informed and invited to respond, provide documentation, and—if relevant—submit raw data or approvals.
  3. Technical/independent review: IJDRM may consult additional reviewers, editorial board members, statistical experts, or research-integrity specialists.
  4. Institutional engagement (when appropriate): for suspected misconduct or serious integrity concerns, IJDRM may request an official statement or investigation outcome from the authors’ institution(s).
  5. Decision and recordkeeping: IJDRM determines the appropriate action (correction, expression of concern, retraction, or exceptional removal) and documents the rationale.
  6. Public notice: the journal publishes a notice as soon as it is responsible and feasible to do so.

If authors do not respond or cooperation is limited, IJDRM may proceed based on the best available evidence to protect readers and the scholarly record.

6) What a retraction notice includes

A retraction notice is published as a separate item and will:

  • clearly identify itself as a Retraction;
  • unambiguously identify the affected article (title, author list, citation details, and DOI if assigned);
  • state who is retracting the article (authors, editors, or both);
  • explain the main reason(s) in a factual, professional manner;
  • be prominently linked to the original article, and the article will link back to the notice.

7) What happens to the article after retraction

Except in exceptional removal cases, IJDRM keeps the article accessible to preserve the scholarly record, while making its status unmistakable:

  • the article page will be clearly marked RETRACTED;
  • a direct link to the retraction notice will be displayed prominently;
  • the PDF/HTML version may carry a visible retraction label (e.g., a header note or watermark) to prevent accidental reuse or citation.

8) Online First, versions, and DOI handling at IJDRM

The same standards apply to articles published as Online First or early online versions.
When a DOI exists, IJDRM ensures that the retraction notice and the original article are interlinked and that the article’s status is clearly indicated through journal metadata and on-page labeling, so that readers and indexing services can reliably detect the update.

9) Retraction and republication in cases of honest error

In rare situations where a substantial, unintentional error requires major correction but the work remains potentially valid after careful editorial assessment, IJDRM may use a “retract-and-republish” approach. In such cases, the journal will clearly explain what was changed and why, ensuring that the publication history remains transparent and traceable.

10) Appeals and communication

Authors may submit a reasoned appeal supported by documentation. IJDRM will evaluate appeals carefully, while maintaining its responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the scientific record and to provide clear information to readers.

11) Contact

To report concerns about a published article, please contact the IJDRM Editorial Office and include: the article title, authors, year/volume/issue, DOI (if available), and a clear description of the concern with any supporting evidence.