Corrections, Retractions, Complaints and Appeals Policy

The World Review of Research and Innovation (WRRI) is committed to a reliable scholarly record and to fair treatment of everyone who works with the journal. This policy explains how WRRI deals with errors, concerns, complaints and appeals, before and after publication.

1. Corrections

WRRI publishes a correction when an article contains a mistake or omission that affects its accuracy or clarity without invalidating its main conclusions. Corrections may relate to author names or affiliations, funding or conflict-of-interest statements, factual or typographical errors, figures, tables, references or similar details. Each correction notice identifies the article and explains the change. Authors should report significant errors as soon as they find them.

2. Retractions

An article may be retracted when its reliability or integrity is seriously compromised, for example because of:

• fabricated or falsified data;
• substantial plagiarism;
• duplicate or redundant publication;
• errors serious enough to invalidate the findings;
• serious breaches of research or publication ethics;
• manipulated or unreliable results;
• major undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the work; or
• other circumstances that seriously undermine the article.

The purpose of retraction is to correct the literature, not to penalise authors.

3. Retraction Process

The editors may investigate, ask the authors for explanations or evidence, and consult institutions, ethics committees or other relevant bodies. The decision rests on the evidence and the need to protect the scholarly record.

4. Retraction Notices

A notice explaining the retraction and its reasons is published and linked to the article. Where appropriate the article remains accessible but is clearly marked Retracted.

5. Expressions of Concern

Where there are serious doubts but not yet enough evidence for a final decision, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern while it investigates.

6. Making a Complaint

Authors, reviewers, readers and others may complain about any editorial, review, publication or administrative matter, such as the handling of a manuscript, reviewer behaviour, ethical issues, undisclosed conflicts, authorship, fees, copyright or licensing, editorial misconduct or delays. Please give full details and any supporting evidence.

7. Handling of Complaints

Complaints are handled fairly, objectively and as confidentially as possible. The team will review the complaint and may ask for more information. A complaint about an editor will, where possible, be handled by another independent member of the team. A complaint made in good faith will never count against an author's future submissions.

8. Grounds for Appeal

Authors may appeal against an editorial decision if they believe that:

• there was a significant procedural error;
• relevant information was not taken into account;
• a misunderstanding or factual error materially influenced the decision; or
• there is another substantial reason for reconsideration.

Appeals must explain the grounds clearly and include supporting material.

9. Appeal Procedure

Appeals should be emailed to the journal. Wherever practicable they are reviewed by an editor who was not involved in the original decision, and additional independent advice may be obtained. The author is informed of the outcome; lodging an appeal does not guarantee that the decision will change.

10. Final Decisions

A decision may be reconsidered where there are genuine procedural or substantive grounds. Repeated appeals that raise no new information may not be considered.

11. Allegations of Misconduct

Allegations such as plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, authorship manipulation, unethical research or manipulation of peer review are handled under the Publication Ethics policy. The journal may seek evidence and contact institutions or authorities when necessary.

12. Concerns About Published Articles

Anyone may raise a concern about a published article. Credible concerns are assessed and may result in a correction, expression of concern, retraction or other notice.

13. Confidentiality

Details of complaints, appeals and investigations are kept confidential as far as possible and disclosed only when necessary for an investigation or required by law or institutional rules.

14. Protection from Retaliation

No one who raises a legitimate concern in good faith will be disadvantaged as a result.

15. Independence

These processes are entirely independent of advertising, sponsorship, publication charges and any other commercial consideration. Payment of the APC never guarantees publication.

16. Contact

Please send complaints, appeals, correction requests and concerns about published work to editor@wrri.ibexinstitute.org.