Post-Publication Policy

Retraction, Erratum, Corrigendum, and Post-Publication Update Policy
The Journal of Medico Informatics (JoMI) is committed to preserving the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record in full alignment with internationally recognized best practices, including the principles and flowcharts of the Committee on Publication Ethics and the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Post-publication updates are implemented transparently, promptly, and in a manner that ensures the permanent accessibility and traceability of all versions of the scholarly record.

Minor errors that do not affect the scientific validity, interpretation, or conclusions of an article, such as typographical mistakes, formatting issues, or publisher-introduced errors, will be corrected through an Erratum. Errors identified by authors that may affect specific aspects of the work but do not invalidate the overall findings will be addressed through a Corrigendum. All such notices will be clearly labelled, linked to the original article, assigned a unique DOI, and indexed to ensure discoverability. The original article will remain unchanged except for clear indications and links to the correction notice.

In cases where there is evidence of major errors, unreliable data, plagiarism, duplicate publication, image manipulation, unethical research practices, authorship disputes, or other forms of scientific misconduct that compromise the integrity or validity of the work, the journal will issue a formal Retraction. Retraction decisions will follow a structured editorial investigation process, ensuring due process and author notification. Retraction notices will be transparent, stating the reason(s) for retraction, who initiated it (authors, editors, or institution), and will be permanently linked to the original article. The retracted article will remain accessible to maintain the scholarly record but will be clearly watermarked or labeled as “Retracted” across all formats.

Where concerns arise but conclusive evidence is not yet available, the journal may issue an Expression of Concern to alert readers while investigations are ongoing. If the concerns are later resolved, this notice may be updated, replaced, or removed with a clear explanation. In exceptional cases, where content poses legal, ethical, or public safety risks (e.g., defamation, privacy violations, or hazardous misinformation), the journal reserves the right to remove or replace the content, accompanied by a formal notice explaining the reason for such action.

All post-publication notices (Erratum, Corrigendum, Retraction, Expression of Concern) will be freely accessible, permanently linked to the original article, and communicated to indexing and abstracting services to ensure accurate bibliographic records. Authors are expected to cooperate fully with investigations, and failure to do so may result in editorial actions, including retraction or notification to affiliated institutions or funding agencies. This policy ensures accountability, transparency, and adherence to global standards in scholarly publishing.

Encouragement of Scholarly Discussion
JoMI encourages readers, researchers, and the wider scientific community to engage in constructive, evidence-based discussions regarding published articles. Post-publication comments may address methodological concerns, data interpretation, reproducibility, ethical considerations, or other aspects relevant to scientific rigor. Such discussions should remain professional, respectful, and focused on scientific content.

Use of PubPeer and External Platforms
JoMI acknowledges platforms such as PubPeer as valuable tools for facilitating transparent and independent post-publication peer review. Comments made on such platforms are considered part of the broader scholarly discourse. The journal may take into account credible and substantiated concerns raised through these platforms when evaluating published content.

Submission of Concerns to the Journal
Readers may also report concerns, errors, or potential ethical issues directly to the editorial office. Submissions should include clear evidence, supporting documentation, and specific details regarding the concern. Anonymous reports may be considered if they provide sufficient and verifiable information.

Editorial Assessment and Investigation
Upon receiving a credible concern, whether through PubPeer, other platforms, or direct communication—the editorial team will initiate a formal assessment in accordance with COPE guidelines. This process may involve consultation with independent experts, reviewers, or the authors’ institutions, depending on the nature of the issue.

Author Response and Due Process
Authors will be notified of any concerns raised regarding their published work and will be given an opportunity to respond. The journal ensures a fair, unbiased, and confidential evaluation process before reaching any final decision.

Outcomes and Corrective Actions
Based on the outcome of the investigation, JoMI may take appropriate corrective actions, including:

Publication of a correction (erratum or corrigendum)
► Issuance of an expression of concern
► Retraction of the article in cases of serious ethical or scientific issues
► All post-publication notices will be clearly linked to the original article and made freely accessible to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Transparency and Permanence
JoMI is committed to maintaining a transparent and permanent record of all post-publication updates. Corrections, concerns, and retractions will remain part of the published record and will be clearly indicated in both the online article and associated metadata.

Responsible Conduct and Limitations
While the journal supports open discussion, it does not endorse defamatory, unsubstantiated, or non-scientific claims. Comments that violate ethical standards or professional conduct may be disregarded during editorial evaluation.

Commitment to Scientific Integrity
Through this policy, JoMI reinforces its commitment to accountability, continuous scholarly review, and the advancement of reliable scientific knowledge. Post-publication discussion, including engagement through PubPeer, is recognized as an essential component of maintaining the quality and credibility of the scientific literature.