1. Policy Statement

The Journal Computer and Technology is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the scholarly record. When errors or concerns are identified in a published article, the journal will assess the available evidence and take appropriate action in accordance with publication ethics principles and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The journal may publish a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction, depending on the nature and seriousness of the issue. Editorial action is intended to correct the scholarly record, not to punish authors.

2. Reporting an Error or Concern

Authors, readers, reviewers, editors, institutions, or other parties may notify the journal of a suspected error or concern in a published article.

Reports should include, where possible:

• the article title, authors, and publication details;
• a clear description of the suspected error or concern;
• the relevant page, section, figure, table, or data;
• supporting evidence or documentation; and
• the reporter’s contact information, if they wish to receive a response.

Reports should be submitted to the journal’s official editorial contact. The journal will acknowledge receipt when appropriate and assess the information fairly and confidentially.

3. Corrections

A correction may be issued when an error in a published article is identified and the error can be corrected without invalidating the article’s main findings or conclusions.

Corrections may address, for example:

• typographical or factual errors;
• errors in author names, affiliations, or acknowledgments;
• errors in tables, figures, equations, or supplementary materials;
• inaccurate information that does not undermine the validity of the study; or
• other errors that could mislead readers if left uncorrected.

The journal will determine whether a correction is necessary and whether the proposed correction is adequate. Authors may be asked to provide an explanation and a corrected version or supporting evidence.

A correction notice will identify the affected article, describe the error, and state what has been corrected. The notice will be linked to the original article, and the article’s record will be updated transparently. The original publication will remain part of the scholarly record unless a separate editorial action is required.

4. Retractions

A retraction may be considered when the journal has evidence that the findings or conclusions of an article are unreliable or that the publication contains serious ethical or research-integrity violations.

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

• fabricated or falsified data, results, images, or research records;
• plagiarism or substantial unattributed reuse of material;
• duplicate or redundant publication that materially affects the scholarly record;
• serious errors in research design, analysis, or reporting that invalidate the findings;
• unethical research practices or serious violations of applicable research requirements;
• improper authorship or other misconduct that substantially compromises the article; or
• other circumstances in which the article’s reliability or integrity is seriously undermined.

The journal will investigate concerns before deciding whether retraction is warranted. Authors will normally be informed of the concerns and given an opportunity to respond. The journal may consult independent experts, the authors’ institutions, or other relevant bodies when appropriate.

A retraction notice will clearly identify the article and explain the reason for retraction. The notice will be linked to the original article, and the article will be clearly marked as retracted. The original record will be retained for transparency, except where removal is legally required or necessary to address a serious risk.

5. Expressions of Concern

The journal may publish an expression of concern when there are credible reasons to question the reliability or integrity of a published article, but the investigation is incomplete or the available evidence is insufficient to reach a final decision.

An expression of concern may be considered, for example, when:

• an investigation is ongoing;
• relevant evidence cannot yet be obtained or verified;
• an institution or other responsible body has not completed its assessment; or
• the journal considers that readers should be alerted to a substantial unresolved concern.

The notice will identify the article, explain the nature of the concern to the extent that can be stated responsibly, and indicate that the matter remains under assessment. The journal will update or remove the expression of concern when the matter is resolved, as appropriate.

6. Investigation and Editorial Decision

The Editor-in-Chief or an authorized editor will assess reported concerns and determine the appropriate procedure. The journal may request explanations, original data, research records, ethics documentation, or other relevant materials from the authors.

The journal will:

• assess the evidence impartially and confidentially;
• provide the authors with a reasonable opportunity to respond;
• seek independent advice when necessary;
• consider contacting the authors’ institutions or other relevant bodies when serious concerns cannot be resolved by the journal; and
• document the basis for its editorial decision.

The journal’s decision will be based on the evidence available and the potential effect of the issue on the reliability of the scholarly record. The journal may proceed with an editorial action even if an author does not respond.

7. Authorship and Institutional Involvement

When a concern involves possible research misconduct or matters beyond the journal’s authority to investigate, the journal may refer the matter to the relevant institution or responsible body. Such referral does not prevent the journal from taking appropriate action to protect the scholarly record.

The journal will not make unsupported public allegations of misconduct. Communications about an investigation will be limited to those who need the information to assess or resolve the concern.

8. Appeals

Authors may submit a written appeal of an editorial decision concerning a correction, expression of concern, or retraction. The appeal must explain the grounds for reconsideration and provide relevant supporting evidence.

The journal will review appeals fairly. Where appropriate, the appeal may be assessed by an editor who was not responsible for the original decision or by an independent expert. An appeal does not automatically suspend an editorial notice or action.

9. Transparency and Permanent Record

Correction notices, expressions of concern, and retraction notices will be clearly labeled, dated, and linked to the affected article. The journal will preserve the publication history and make the status of the article clear to readers.

The journal may update this policy as publication ethics guidance and scholarly publishing practices evolve.