Corrections and Retractions Policy

Jambura Journal of Community Empowerment (JJCE) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal recognizes that errors or ethical concerns may occasionally be identified after an article has been published. In such cases, JJCE will take appropriate action to ensure that the published literature remains reliable and that any necessary corrections or retractions are communicated transparently.

1. Corrections

A correction may be issued when an error is identified in a published article that requires amendment but does not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions of the research.

Corrections may address errors in author names, affiliations, metadata, references, figures, tables, or other content, provided that the nature of the error and its impact on the article have been assessed.

Requests for corrections may be submitted by authors, readers, editors, or other relevant parties. The editorial team will evaluate each request and determine whether a formal correction is necessary.

Published corrections will clearly identify the original article, describe the error, and specify the amendment made. The correction notice will be linked to the original article to maintain transparency and traceability.

Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the meaning, interpretation, or integrity of the article may be corrected without a separate correction notice, in accordance with the journal's editorial procedures.

2. Retractions

A retraction may be issued when the reliability or integrity of a published article is seriously compromised. Grounds for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

1. Evidence of fabrication or falsification of research data.

2. Substantial plagiarism or unauthorized use of another person's work.

3. Serious errors that invalidate the main findings or conclusions.

4. Unethical research practices or serious violations of research ethics.

5. Duplicate publication or substantial redundant publication that violates publication ethics.

6. Manipulation of the peer-review or publication process.

7. Other circumstances in which retraction is necessary to correct the scholarly record.

Retraction decisions will be based on an appropriate assessment of the available evidence. Where necessary, JJCE may consult independent experts or contact the relevant author's institution or research integrity body.

Authors will normally be given an opportunity to respond to concerns before a final decision is made. However, the journal may proceed with appropriate action when necessary to protect the scholarly record, even if the authors do not respond.

3. Retraction Procedure

When a potential need for retraction is identified, the editorial team will:

1. Assess the reported concern and available supporting evidence.

2. Request explanations or relevant documentation from the authors, where appropriate.

3. Consult independent experts or relevant institutions when necessary.

4. Determine the appropriate editorial action based on the findings and applicable publication ethics guidance.

5. Publish a retraction notice explaining the reason for retraction in a clear, factual, and transparent manner.

The retraction notice will identify the affected article and explain the basis for the decision to the extent that can be disclosed appropriately. The original article will remain identifiable in the journal's archive, clearly marked as retracted, to preserve the publication record and prevent readers from mistaking it for a valid, unaffected publication.

4. Expressions of Concern

If serious concerns arise but the available evidence is insufficient to reach a final conclusion, JJCE may publish an expression of concern.

An expression of concern serves to alert readers to a potential problem while further assessment or investigation is ongoing. It may be replaced by a correction, retraction, or other appropriate notice when sufficient information becomes available.

5. Responsibilities of Authors and Readers

Authors are encouraged to promptly inform the journal if they discover significant errors in their published work. Readers and other interested parties may also report suspected errors, ethical violations, or concerns about the reliability of a published article through the journal's official communication channels.

All reports should include sufficient information or supporting evidence to enable a fair and objective assessment.

6. Transparency and Editorial Independence

Decisions concerning corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions will be made independently and impartially, based on the evidence and the need to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

The journal will not issue or refuse a correction or retraction solely because of an author's, institution's, funder's, or other interested party's preference. All actions will be documented and communicated transparently, subject to applicable confidentiality and legal requirements.

7. Accessibility and Indexing

Correction notices, expressions of concern, and retraction notices will be linked to the affected article wherever technically possible. Relevant metadata and publication records will be updated as appropriate so that readers and indexing services can identify the article's status.

Retracted articles will not be silently deleted from the journal's archive, except where removal is required by law or necessary under exceptional circumstances. In such cases, a transparent notice will be provided where legally permissible.

8. Policy and Ethical Standards

JJCE implements this policy in accordance with recognized publication ethics principles, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and applicable institutional and regulatory requirements.

This policy may be reviewed periodically to ensure that the journal's procedures remain consistent with developments in scholarly publishing and research integrity.