Retraction Policy

Retraction Policy

Health Nexus is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Retractions are issued when published articles are found to contain serious errors or ethical violations that invalidate the findings or conclusions.

This policy follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

1. Grounds for Retraction

An article may be retracted if:

• There is evidence of data fabrication or falsification
• Significant plagiarism or duplicate publication is identified
• Findings are unreliable due to major methodological or analytical errors
• Research was conducted without appropriate ethical approval or consent
• There is undisclosed conflict of interest that compromises the integrity of the work
• The article constitutes redundant publication

2. Retraction Initiation

Retractions may be initiated by:

• Authors
• Editors or the Editorial Board
• The publisher (Panorama Scholarly Group, PSG)
• Third parties raising credible concerns

All allegations are assessed carefully and confidentially.

3. Investigation Process

The journal will:

• Conduct an initial assessment of the concern
• Request explanations and supporting information from authors
• Consult reviewers, editors, or institutions if necessary
• Follow COPE flowcharts for handling misconduct

Authors are given an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.

4. Retraction Notice

When a retraction is issued:

• A formal retraction notice will be published
• The notice will:
  • Clearly identify the retracted article
  • State the reason(s) for retraction
  • Indicate who is issuing the retraction
• The original article will:
  • Remain accessible
  • Be clearly marked as “Retracted”

5. Transparency and Integrity

• Retractions are implemented to correct the literature, not to punish authors
• Notices are linked to the original article and are freely accessible
• The journal ensures transparency while maintaining fairness

6. Corrections and Expressions of Concern

In cases where retraction is not appropriate:

• Corrections (Errata): Issued for minor errors not affecting conclusions
• Expressions of Concern: Issued when investigations are ongoing

7. Author Cooperation

Authors are expected to:

• Cooperate fully during investigations
• Provide requested data and documentation
• Respond in a timely and transparent manner

Failure to cooperate may result in editorial action.

8. Post-Retraction Actions

The journal may:

• Notify relevant institutions or funding bodies
• Update indexing services and databases
• Maintain a transparent record of the retraction

9. Editorial Responsibility

The Editorial Office and Editor-in-Chief are responsible for:

• Making final decisions on retractions
• Ensuring adherence to ethical standards
• Preserving the integrity of the academic record

10. Publisher Role

Panorama Scholarly Group (PSG) supports:

• Ethical oversight
• Implementation of retraction decisions
• Long-term preservation of corrected records

11. Compliance with Standards