Correction and Retraction

Journal of Childhood Education

1. Purpose and Scope

The Journal of Childhood Education is committed to maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the scholarly record. Corrections and retractions are implemented when published articles contain significant errors, ethical issues, or unreliable findings that may affect the interpretation of research in early childhood education and related disciplines. This policy follows international best practices in academic publishing ethics and aims to ensure accountability while preserving the scholarly record.

2. Types of Post-Publication Updates

2.1 Minor Correction (Erratum or Corrigendum)

A correction will be issued when errors are identified that do not invalidate the study’s results or conclusions. Examples include:

  • Typographical or formatting errors.

  • Incorrect author affiliations.

  • Minor data presentation mistakes that do not change interpretations.

  • Clarifications requested by authors or editors.

Corrections will be published as a separate document linked to the original article and assigned a unique DOI.

2.2 Major Correction

A major correction may be issued when:

  • Methodological descriptions require clarification.

  • Parts of the analysis need revision but the core findings remain valid.

  • Ethical disclosures or acknowledgments were incomplete.

The editorial board will review supporting evidence before publishing a major correction notice.

2.3 Retraction

An article may be retracted if:

  • There is clear evidence of data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.

  • The research contains serious methodological flaws that invalidate conclusions.

  • Ethical violations occur, including unauthorized data use or conflicts of interest.

  • Duplicate publication or severe breaches of publication ethics are identified.

Retractions may be initiated by authors, editors, reviewers, or third parties after investigation.

2.4 Expression of Concern

If serious concerns arise but the investigation is ongoing, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern to inform readers while maintaining procedural fairness.

3. Retraction Process

The editorial office will follow a structured and transparent process:

  1. Initial assessment by the Editor-in-Chief.

  2. Review of evidence and communication with authors.

  3. Consultation with reviewers or ethics committee if necessary.

  4. Final editorial decision based on publication ethics standards.

The decision will prioritize the integrity of the academic record and the interests of the scholarly community.

4. Retraction Notice

A retraction notice will:

  • Clearly state the reason for retraction.

  • Identify the article title, authors, and publication details.

  • Remain permanently accessible and linked to the original article.

The original article will remain online but will be clearly marked as “Retracted” to preserve transparency.

5. Author Responsibilities

Authors are expected to:

  • Notify the journal promptly if significant errors are discovered.

  • Cooperate fully during investigations.

  • Provide supporting documentation when requested.

Failure to cooperate may result in editorial action according to publication ethics guidelines.

6. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for:

  • Conducting fair and unbiased investigations.

  • Ensuring decisions are evidence-based.

  • Maintaining confidentiality during the review process.

  • Protecting the reputation of authors while safeguarding readers.

7. Transparency and Record Integrity

All correction and retraction actions will:

  • Be publicly documented.

  • Include timestamps and version history.

  • Be indexed to maintain citation transparency and academic accountability.