Policy on Retractions, Post-Publication Corrections, Complaints, and Appeals

Post-Publication Corrections and Retractions

The journal follows COPE practices to maintain a transparent and traceable publication record.
When an error or ethical violation is identified after publication, the editorial office initiates an internal investigation, documenting all findings and decisions.

Possible post-publication actions include:

  • Erratum – correction of an error introduced by the editorial team or publisher (e.g., layout, figure caption, or metadata).
  • Corrigendum – correction of a significant error made by the author(s) that does not alter the study’s conclusions.
  • Expression of Concern – issued when additional verification is required or pending clarification from authors or institutions.
  • Retraction – applied in cases of plagiarism, data fabrication/falsification, duplicate publication, serious ethical violations, or when results are proven unreliable.

Implementation procedure:

  • each decision (Erratum, Corrigendum, Expression of Concern, or Retraction) is published as a separate, open-access notice permanently linked to the original article;
  • the notice includes the reason, responsible parties (if applicable), and date of decision;
  • in retraction cases, the PDF/HTML versions remain available but are clearly marked as RETRACTED, and metadata are updated in all indexing databases;
  • if the correction affects data, figures, or tables, a revised version is published with clear notes indicating all modifications.

Approximate timelines:

  • initial editorial assessment of a post-publication issue — up to 7 days;
  • internal investigation and correspondence with authors or institutions — up to 30 days, with interim updates if additional time is required.

Complaints and Appeals

The Editorial Board and Editor-in-Chief adhere to the COPE Core Practices to ensure fair, confidential, and timely handling of complaints and appeals submitted by authors, reviewers, or readers.
Complaints may concern editorial procedures (e.g., delays, conflicts of interest), publication ethics (e.g., plagiarism, data manipulation), or the quality of editorial service.

Principles of consideration:

  • Transparency and confidentiality: all correspondence and documentation are kept confidential;
  • Impartiality: in cases of potential conflict of interest, another editor or external advisor may be involved;
  • Evidence-based decision-making: all conclusions are supported by documented evidence, reviewer comments, and verified data.

Appeals regarding editorial decisions:

  • may be submitted when an author believes that a reviewer’s or editor’s decision was factually incorrect, biased, or inconsistent with the evidence provided;
  • the appeal must include a clear, structured justification with references to supporting data or literature and must address key reviewer comments;
  • the appeal is reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief in consultation with another responsible editor, and if necessary, the manuscript may be sent to new independent reviewers.

Approximate timelines:

  • acknowledgment of receipt — within 7 days;
  • full review and official response — within 30 days, extendable in complex cases (with interim updates provided to the complainant).

How to Submit a Complaint or Appeal

Complaints and appeals should be submitted via email to: usmyj@nmu.ua
Please indicate in the subject line the type of inquiry (Complaint, Appeal, or Post-publication issue) and provide key article identifiers (title, DOI/ID, date of submission or publication).
Attach any relevant supporting materials such as correspondence excerpts, plagiarism reports, or comparative text/data evidence.

Misuse Prevention and Responsibility

Repeated or unjustified appeals, as well as undue pressure on editors or reviewers, may result in the termination of the complaint process.
Verified violations of publication ethics or integrity lead to appropriate corrective actions — including corrections, expressions of concern, retractions, or formal notification of affiliated institutions and funding bodies.

The journal encourages all authors to carefully align submissions with the scope and aims of USMYJ, following high standards of quality, ethics, and transparency to minimize the need for post-publication interventions.