Correction and Retraction

APTEK is committed to maintaining the accuracy of information and upholding the scientific integrity of every published article.Should errors or issues be identified in a published article, the journal will implement a structured correction and retraction procedure, prioritizing transparency, objectivity, and scientific publication ethics.

1. Correction of Errors

Corrections to published articles may be made if factual errors, writing errors, or other inaccuracies are discovered that do not alter the overall validity or integrity of the research. Errors warranting a correction include:

  • Writing errors: Spelling, grammatical, or typographical errors that do not affect the data, analysis process, research results, or conclusions presented.
  • Reference inaccuracies: Errors in citing sources, missing references, or citations that do not align with the original source.

Correction Procedure

  • Authors who identify errors in a published article must immediately contact the APTEK editorial team, providing an explanation of the issue and the section requiring correction.
  • Upon verification and confirmation that a correction is necessary, the editorial team will publish a correction notice linked to the relevant article.This notice will detail the nature of the error and the corrective actions taken.

2. Retraction of Articles

Article retraction may be implemented if an investigation reveals serious issues that undermine confidence in the validity, reliability, or scientific integrity of the published article. Grounds for retraction include:

  • Plagiarism: The article is proven to utilize or incorporate portions of another party's work without proper acknowledgment or attribution.
  • Data fabrication or falsification: Evidence is found that research data has been fabricated, altered, or manipulated, such that it does not reflect the actual research results.
  • Duplicate or redundant publication: An article has been published elsewhere with the same substance or significant overlap, without adequate disclosure and without meeting applicable publication requirements.
  • Violation of research ethics: A serious breach of research ethics principles and regulations has occurred, including the absence of mandatory ethical approval for research involving human or animal subjects.

Retraction Procedure

  • If indications of a problem arise after an article has been published, the editorial board will conduct an examination and investigation to identify the nature, evidence, and severity of the issue.
  • If the findings indicate a violation or serious flaw justifying retraction, the journal will issue a retraction notice.
  • The notice will be linked to the original article and include an explanation of the reasons for the retraction.

This information will be presented clearly so that readers are aware of the article's status and understand the issues underlying the decision.

3. Withdrawal of Articles

Manuscripts that have been accepted for publication but are not yet available online may be withdrawn from the publication process if fundamental issues requiring such action are identified.

These issues may include substantial errors in the manuscript, ethical concerns, or a request from the author supported by justifiable reasons.

Manuscript Withdrawal Procedure

  • Authors wishing to withdraw a manuscript must submit a formal request to the editorial team, providing clear and relevant reasons.
  • The editorial board will review the request to assess the appropriateness of the withdrawal based on scientific and ethical considerations, as well as the journal's editorial policies.
  • Once the retraction is approved, the manuscript will be removed from the publication workflow in accordance with established procedures.

Necessary editorial documentation will be retained to ensure the accountability of the publication process.

4. Post-Retraction

Retracted articles remain in the journal archive to preserve the traceability of the scholarly publication record. Such articles will be clearly marked as "retracted" and accompanied by a link to the retraction notice. This labeling serves to inform readers that the article has been retracted and that its findings or conclusions should not be treated without regard for the publicly stated reasons for the retraction. If a retracted article has been cited in other publications, its retraction status must be communicated to readers via an appropriate notice. Where possible, this information will be linked to the bibliographic record of the citing article. Authors who continue to cite a retracted article are expected to explicitly state its status to avoid misconceptions regarding the validity of the scholarly source.

5. Transparency and Integrity

APTEK ensures that the handling of publication errors and ethical issues is guided by principles of transparency, fairness, and editorial responsibility. Notices regarding corrections or retractions will be published once the evaluation process is complete and a decision has been reached, while also considering the urgency of the issue at hand. The journal holds that integrity is fundamental to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Consequently, any article found to fall short of reliability and publication ethics standards will be addressed through measures commensurate with the nature and severity of the issue. Such measures may include corrections, article retractions, or other relevant editorial actions to maintain the accuracy of the publication record.

6. Appeals

Authors who believe that the decision to retract their article was based on an error or flawed reasoning may appeal to the APTEK editorial board. Appeals must be accompanied by a clear explanation of the arguments and relevant supporting evidence for consideration. The editorial board will objectively evaluate the submission, taking into account all available evidence, the grounds for the appeal, and the results of prior assessments. If necessary, additional inquiries may be conducted to gain clarity before a final decision is reached. The outcome of this review will serve as the basis for the final decision regarding the appeal.

Through the implementation of this policy, APTEK reaffirms its commitment to upholding the ethical standards, quality, and integrity of scholarly publishing. The journal will continue to prioritize transparency and accountability in all decisions concerning corrections, retractions, and pre-publication withdrawals, in order to maintain reader trust and the credibility of scholarly publications.