For various reasons, some published content may require correction after its initial publication. These reasons can range from minor typographical errors to more significant ethical or copyright issues. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), MediHealth Academy Publishing addresses different types of errors in the following ways:
- Amendment
- Correction
- Withdrawal and Retraction
- Expression of Concern
- Publisher's Note
Minimizing Post-Publication Editing Requests:
- Editors must ensure that authors have the opportunity to complete their final drafts and metadata before submitting files for typesetting, and it should be explicitly communicated that subsequent changes will not be possible.
- Editors should thoroughly review the final draft and metadata from start to finish before sending it to typesetting, to ensure satisfaction with the content.
- All text PDF proofs will be reviewed by the author or editor before publication. This serves as the final opportunity to identify and correct minor editorial issues, such as layout or spelling errors, but not for broader content editing.
- If you believe a text requires correction, please contact the publisher or editor. The publisher reserves the right to determine whether an issue is minor or significant and whether a correction or revised text is necessary.
Books and Corrections:
Due to their singular nature, books cannot be corrected or retracted in the same manner as journal articles (i.e., a correction notice cannot be easily published separately and linked to the original content). However, the policy and workflow for handling corrections in books will closely follow those of journal publications as much as possible.
Amendment
Minor issues that do not affect the factual content or overall validity of the publication will not be updated. Therefore, efforts will be made to ensure that authors and editors finalize their work prior to typesetting, and typeset proofs will be considered the final version. Minor issues, such as spelling or grammar errors, or poorly constructed sentences, will not be corrected. Errors that do not impact the interpretation or intended use of the book may not be corrected.
Correction
If an approved error affects the presented data, arguments, or outcomes (without compromising the validity of the findings), or if there are inaccuracies in metadata (e.g., author list, title), a correction can be issued detailing the nature of the change. If a new edition is not feasible, this may take the form of an updated version of the book.
As corrections can have varying impacts on a book’s layout, each issue will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Priority will be given to:
1. Clearly communicating the correction details to readers across all formats of the book,
2. Preserving the original page numbers to minimize disruptions in references and metadata in subsequent sections, and
3. Re-indexing and redistributing the book where possible.
The correction process generally follows one of two approaches:
- For minor corrections (e.g., adding words, updating table data, changing an image), a note will be added to the book (typically on the title page) to explain what was changed and why. If necessary, a footnote will be added at the point of change to alert the reader.
- For larger content corrections, careful consideration is required. In some cases, a correction may be made inline as part of a low-impact workflow. However, if the correction would significantly alter the layout or pagination of subsequent content, the error will not be directly edited. Instead, a footnote will be added in the relevant section, alerting readers to a correction notice at the back of the book. The correction notice will fully explain the error, and the imprint page will be updated to indicate that a correction has been made.
The date of the correction and the reprinting of the book should be noted (the publication date will not change unless a new edition is issued).
Upon completion of a correction, digital files will be updated, and the revised versions will replace publicly hosted content. Print formats will be updated and redistributed to print services for future printings, incorporating the corrections. Indexers will be contacted and asked to replace any outdated versions they hold.
Corrections are intended to formally amend the scientific record and ensure that errors in metadata are properly addressed. They are not appropriate for discussions or debates.
Allegations of misconduct will be referred to the relevant institution or organization for investigation. Once the author’s institution completes the investigation, the editor and publisher will seek the outcome and update the published record accordingly. Editors may also report confirmed misconduct to funding agencies.
Withdrawal and Retraction Policy
Retractions are used to remove published content from the academic record. Similar to journals, retractions are employed in the following circumstances:
- If there is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable due to an honest error (such as miscalculation or experimental mistakes) or misconduct (such as data fabrication).
- If the findings have been previously published elsewhere without proper cross-referencing, permission, or justification (e.g., cases of redundant or duplicate publication).
- In cases of plagiarism in the publication.
- If the publication reports unethical research results.
Retraction notices will be prepared and published in a manner similar to corrections, with the distinction that it will be made clear that the error or misconduct is deemed significant enough to warrant retraction. This ensures the integrity and transparency of the academic record while making it clear that the publication has been withdrawn.
In some instances, such as in edited volumes where the error or misconduct may be confined to a single chapter or a portion of the entire book, a retraction notice may apply to only part of the content. In all such cases, the retraction notice will clearly specify whether it pertains to the entire book or only to a portion.
In certain cases, it may be necessary to remove content from a book in full or in part. This is typically done for legal reasons, such as copyright violations, or due to ethical concerns that the content may cause harm if left online. In these instances, the content in question will be removed and replaced with a brief note. This note will reference a comprehensive takedown notice to be added at the end of the book. Page numbering and metadata for content following the removed material will remain unchanged.
Exceptions
In certain situations, legal or confidentiality concerns may lead to exceptions to the above processes. Such cases will be handled individually, with standard processes followed wherever possible.
Post-publication Name Changes
Understanding that neither a name nor an individual’s identity is fixed, and recognizing the value of an author's publication record, MediHealth Academy Publishing allows for post-publication author name changes. In line with the Publication Ethics Committee Working Group Principles, authors may request name changes for reasons such as marriage, divorce, changes in gender identity, or religion, at any time after publication.
The process for name changes includes:
- Updating the PDF, XML/HTML, and relevant metadata.
- Republishing original files (i.e., replacing the original content).
- Resubmitting files and metadata to indexes and databases, requesting them to update their records accordingly.
Given the sensitive nature of some requests, this process allows for an "invisible" update before a correction notice is published. The aim is to foster a more inclusive community and allow for the removal of stigma and career limitations. As a default, there will be no communication with co-authors about the name update, though the requesting author may ask the publisher to inform co-authors of the change.
If the requesting author cites their own publications, the relevant citations and reference lists can also be updated upon request.
Evidence or legal documentation of the name change or reason for the change will not be requested. However, to ensure the integrity of the publication and prevent academic misconduct, the author may be asked to provide evidence confirming that they are the same individual (e.g., emails related to submission or revision processes). Communication via an institutional email address is preferred.
The publisher will also advise the author on how to update their account(s) in the journal/book editorial system to ensure future correspondence is handled appropriately. While the publisher will make every effort to update records, it should be noted that certain archival content may not be updated (e.g., archived emails or peer review reports). In such cases, the data will not be made public and will only be accessible to necessary editorial or publishing staff, without drawing attention to the name change.
To help establish ownership of the publication record after a name change, we recommend that all authors include their ORCID in their published content.
While MediHealth Academy Publishing will make every reasonable effort to update metadata on external platforms, it should be noted that third-party databases cannot guarantee they will allow such updates, and the original author list may be preserved in some cases.
A name change request can be made through the relevant General Publishing Editor, the publisher's Editorial Customer Manager, or via the contact form on the website. The requesting author will need to complete a brief request form.
Responsibility
The ideal scenario is for all parties involved (e.g., editors, authors, publisher, and external parties) to agree on all updates after publication. However, disagreements may still arise, and consensus may not always be reached. In such cases, the editors or publisher may proceed to correct or retract a publication, or issue a statement of concern, even if some or all authors disagree or cannot be contacted. The retraction notice will clearly state who has withdrawn the text, ensuring transparency when differences of opinion exist.