Corrections, Retractions and Matters Arising

Iranian Journal of Health Research and Development (Iran J Health Res Dev)  follows COPE Core Practices and COPE Flowcharts in all cases of publication misconduct.
This journal committed to preserving the accuracy, reliability, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal recognizes that maintaining trust in scientific publishing requires appropriate action when errors, ethical concerns, or questions regarding the integrity of published work arise.

The journal manages post-publication updates in accordance with internationally recognized standards of publication ethics, including the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Editorial actions are undertaken solely to maintain the integrity of the published literature and are based on careful evaluation of the available evidence, fairness, transparency, and due process.

 Corrections

The journal may publish a correction when an article contains an error that affects the accuracy, clarity, or completeness of the published work but does not invalidate the overall scientific findings or conclusions.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• errors in author names, affiliations, or contact information;
• inaccuracies in funding, acknowledgements, or disclosure statements;
• errors in figures, tables, supplementary files, or references;
• production or typographical errors affecting interpretation; and
• other factual inaccuracies that do not compromise the reliability of the research.

Corrections are published as permanent records and are electronically linked to the original article to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Retractions

A published article may be retracted when there is clear evidence that its findings are unreliable or when serious breaches of research or publication ethics have occurred.

Reasons for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

• data fabrication or falsification;
• plagiarism;
• duplicate or redundant publication;
• manipulation of the peer review or publication process;
• serious methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the findings;
• unethical research involving human participants or animals;
• inappropriate authorship or undisclosed competing interests that significantly affect the integrity of the publication; or
• other forms of research or publication misconduct.

Retraction is intended to correct the scholarly record rather than to punish authors. Retraction notices clearly identify the affected article, explain the reason for the retraction, and remain permanently linked to the original publication. Where appropriate, the original article will remain available with a clear indication that it has been retracted.

Expressions of Concern

The journal may publish an Expression of Concern when substantial questions have been raised regarding the integrity or reliability of a published article but the available evidence is insufficient to determine whether a correction or retraction is warranted.

Such notices may be issued while an investigation is ongoing or when additional information is required before a final editorial decision can be made. An Expression of Concern may subsequently be replaced by a correction, retraction, or other editorial notice where appropriate.

Matters Arising

The journal encourages responsible post-publication scholarly discussion that contributes to scientific progress and critical evaluation of published research.

Researchers may submit scholarly correspondence or comments that:

• identify methodological or analytical concerns;
• present alternative interpretations of published findings;
• provide additional scientific evidence;
• clarify scientific issues; or
• contribute to constructive academic discussion.

Where appropriate, the authors of the original article may be invited to submit a response. Editorial decisions regarding Matters Arising are based on scientific merit, relevance, and scholarly value.

Editorial Investigation

When concerns are raised regarding a published article, the editorial office will assess the available information and, where appropriate, initiate an editorial investigation.

Depending on the nature of the concern, the journal may:

• request clarification from the authors;
• request original research data or supporting documentation;
• consult independent reviewers or subject experts;
• communicate with the authors' institutions, research ethics committees, or funding organizations where appropriate; and
• consider any additional information necessary to reach an informed editorial decision.

Editorial investigations are conducted fairly, objectively, confidentially, and without unnecessary delay. Decisions are based on the available evidence and the journal's ethical responsibilities.

Author Cooperation

Authors are expected to cooperate fully with editorial investigations by responding promptly to editorial inquiries and providing any information or documentation reasonably requested by the journal.

Failure to cooperate or to provide satisfactory clarification may influence the journal's editorial decision.

 Post-Publication Updates

Where necessary, the journal may publish post-publication notices to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record. These may include:

• Corrections;
• Retractions;
• Expressions of Concern;
• Editorial Notes; and
• other editorial updates considered necessary to inform readers.

All post-publication notices are permanently linked to the original article and become part of the permanent publication record.

 Appeals

Authors who disagree with an editorial decision regarding a correction, expression of concern, or retraction may submit a written appeal to the editorial office at ijhrdtrjums.ac.ir.

Appeals should clearly explain the academic or procedural basis for the request and include any relevant supporting information. Appeals are reviewed independently by the Editor-in-Chief and, where appropriate, another qualified editor. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be modified.

 Commitment to the Integrity of the Scholarly Record

Iran J Health Res Dev is committed to ensuring that the published literature remains accurate, transparent, and trustworthy. The journal continually reviews and improves its editorial practices in accordance with internationally accepted principles of publication ethics, research integrity, and responsible scholarly publishing. Through appropriate post-publication editorial actions, the journal seeks to preserve confidence in the scientific record while ensuring fair treatment of authors, reviewers, readers, and all parties involved in the publication process.