Student Journal of Early Childhood Education is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal investigates concerns about published articles and issues corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when appropriate. These actions protect readers and the integrity of research rather than serve as punishment for authors.

1. Corrections

A correction is published when an error affects the accuracy, interpretation, or attribution of an article but does not invalidate its main findings and conclusions.

Corrections may address errors in data presentation, calculations, tables, figures, references, author information, funding statements, or other substantive details. An authorship change requires an explanation and appropriate supporting documentation; unresolved authorship disputes may be referred to the relevant institution.

A correction notice will identify the original article, explain the error, and provide the corrected information. The notice and the article will be linked in both directions. Any substantive update to the published article will be clearly documented and dated, with earlier versions preserved.

2. Retractions

The journal may retract an article when there is clear evidence that its findings cannot be relied upon or that serious research or publication ethics violations have occurred. Grounds may include:

• Major errors that invalidate the findings or conclusions.

• Fabricated or falsified data, including misleading image manipulation.

• Substantial plagiarism or unjustified duplicate publication.

• Unauthorized use of material or data.

• Serious ethical violations involving research participants, including failures concerning required consent or ethical approval.

• Manipulation or compromise of the peer review or publication process.

• Undisclosed major conflicts of interest that substantially affected the evaluation or interpretation of the work.

Retraction may be necessary whether the problem arose from honest error or misconduct. An authorship dispute alone does not normally justify retraction when the findings remain reliable.

3. Expressions of Concern

The journal may publish an expression of concern when significant, credible questions about an article remain unresolved and the available evidence is insufficient for a definitive decision.

This may occur while an institutional investigation is ongoing, essential information is unavailable, or resolution is likely to take considerable time. The notice will identify the article, explain the concerns, and be freely accessible and linked to the article.

When further evidence becomes available, the journal will publish an appropriate update, correction, retraction, or statement resolving the concerns. Earlier notices will remain linked to the subsequent outcome.

4. Reporting and Investigation

Authors must promptly notify the editorial office if they discover a significant error in their published work. Readers, reviewers, and institutions may also report concerns through the journal’s official editorial contact.

Reports should identify the article, describe the concern, and provide supporting evidence where available.

The editorial team will assess the evidence, contact the relevant authors, and provide a reasonable opportunity to respond. Independent experts or the authors’ institutions may be consulted when necessary. Editors with a conflict of interest will not participate in the decision.

The Editor-in-Chief, or an independent designated editor where necessary, determines the appropriate action. An author’s disagreement or failure to respond does not prevent action supported by sufficient evidence.

5. Notices and Preservation

Retraction notices will be published promptly, be freely accessible, and clearly identify the affected article, the reasons for retraction, and who is issuing the notice. Their wording will be factual and objective.

Retracted articles will normally remain accessible as part of the scholarly record. The article webpage and downloadable files will be clearly marked “Retracted” and linked to the notice. Existing article identifiers, including DOIs where assigned, will be retained. The journal will seek corresponding updates to relevant indexing records.

6. Exceptional Removal

Removal of article content is reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as a legal requirement or a serious privacy or safety concern. Where lawful, bibliographic information and a notice explaining the removal will remain available.

7. Appeals and Scope

Authors may appeal by submitting a reasoned explanation and supporting evidence through the journal’s official editorial contact. Appeals will be considered impartially and, where appropriate, by an editor who was not involved in the original decision.

This policy applies to published articles, including articles published online before assignment to an issue. Requests concerning manuscripts that have not yet been published are handled under the journal’s withdrawal policy.

Student Journal of Early Childhood Education refers to relevant Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance when making decisions under this policy.