Corrections

If an error is identified that does not invalidate the study's results but requires clarification or adjustment, the following steps will be taken:

• A correction notice will be published promptly, detailing the changes made and citing the original publication. This notice will be accessible in the electronic Table of Contents to ensure proper indexing.
• A new version of the article will be posted with a clear record of the changes and the dates on which they were made.
• All prior versions of the article will be archived. These versions may be made available to readers upon request or directly accessible as needed.
• Previous electronic versions of the article will include a prominent note indicating the availability of more recent versions.
• The citation should refer to the most recent version of the article.

Retractions

Errors serious enough to invalidate the article’s results or conclusions may necessitate retraction. This includes instances of:

• Scientific misconduct, such as data fabrication, falsification (including manipulative image editing), and plagiarism.
• Inappropriate methodology leading to unreliable findings.

Procedures for Retractions

Each case of potential retraction is evaluated individually, following these guidelines:

• If allegations of scientific misconduct or concerns about integrity arise, the editor will initiate procedures aligned with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. This may include:
  • Publishing an expression of concern while investigations are underway.
  • Seeking outcomes of institutional investigations into the matter.
  • Publishing a retraction if misconduct is proven.
• The expression of concern will be prominently labeled and indexed, linking to the original article.
• The retraction notice will clearly explain why the article is being retracted and reference the original article. It will be prominently labeled and linked bidirectionally with the original article.
• The original article, including its abstract, full text, and PDF, will be marked as “Retracted” in all forms
• Ideally, the authors of the original article should author the retraction. If they are unable or unwilling, the editor may accept retractions from other responsible individuals or publish the retraction independently.

Preservation of the Scholarly Record

• Retracted articles will remain in the public domain but clearly labeled to prevent misuse or misinterpretation.
• The validity of prior work by the authors of a retracted article cannot be assumed. Editors may request validation from the authors’ institution or issue a notice expressing concerns about the validity of previously published work.

By implementing these measures, LQ Publishing strives to uphold the highest ethical standards in academic publishing, ensuring trust and reliability in all published content.