Corrections and Retractions

The Journal of Leadership, Management and Policy in Education is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal takes appropriate action when errors, inaccuracies, or ethical concerns are identified in published articles.

1. Corrections

Corrections may be issued when errors are identified in a published article that affect the accuracy, clarity, or interpretation of the content but do not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions of the research.

Authors are encouraged to notify the editorial office promptly upon discovering significant errors in their published work. Readers, reviewers, and other members of the academic community may also report suspected errors to the editorial team.

All correction requests will be assessed by the editor-in-chief or an authorized editor. Where necessary, the editor may consult the authors, independent experts, or relevant institutions before making a decision.

If a correction is warranted, the journal will publish a correction notice that clearly identifies the original article, describes the error, and provides the corrected information. The correction notice will be linked to the original article to ensure transparency and traceability.

Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the meaning, interpretation, or scientific integrity of the article may be corrected without issuing a separate formal notice, where appropriate.

2. Retractions

Retraction may be considered when substantial evidence indicates that a published article is unreliable or that serious ethical violations have occurred. Grounds for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

  • Significant errors or methodological flaws that invalidate the findings or conclusions.

  • Data fabrication, falsification, or other forms of research misconduct.

  • Plagiarism or substantial unattributed duplication of previously published work.

  • Improper authorship or serious violations of publication ethics.

  • Unethical research practices, including the absence of required ethical approval or consent where applicable.

  • Duplicate publication or other serious breaches of publication standards.

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially compromise the integrity or reliability of the research.

Retraction will not be based solely on differences of opinion, honest academic disagreement, or criticism of a study when the findings remain reliable.

3. Retraction Procedure

When a potential reason for retraction is reported or identified, the journal will conduct a fair and impartial assessment. The process may include:

  1. Reviewing the evidence and relevant documentation.

  2. Contacting the corresponding author and, where appropriate, other co-authors to request an explanation.

  3. Consulting independent experts or the relevant research institution when necessary.

  4. Evaluating the responses and evidence before reaching a decision.

  5. Informing the authors of the editorial decision and its rationale, where appropriate.

The journal will seek to complete the investigation in a timely manner while ensuring fairness, confidentiality where appropriate, and due process. If the investigation is ongoing and serious concerns remain unresolved, the journal may publish an expression of concern.

4. Publication of Retraction Notices

When a retraction is approved, the journal will publish a clearly identified retraction notice explaining the reasons for the retraction and linking it to the original article. The notice will distinguish between concerns affecting the reliability of the findings and violations of publication ethics, where applicable.

The original article will normally remain accessible to preserve the scholarly record but will be clearly marked as “Retracted” in its online version and PDF. The retraction notice will be freely accessible and linked to the original publication. Where applicable, the journal will update the article's metadata and notify relevant indexing and publishing services.

The journal will not remove a published article from the scholarly record except in exceptional circumstances, such as legal requirements or serious risks to personal safety or privacy.

5. Responsibilities of Authors, Editors, and Readers

Authors are responsible for reporting significant errors in their published articles and cooperating with investigations concerning the integrity of their work.

Editors are responsible for assessing concerns objectively, ensuring fair procedures, and making publication decisions independently of personal, institutional, or commercial interests.

Readers and members of the academic community are encouraged to report credible concerns about published articles and provide relevant supporting evidence.

6. Commitment to Publication Ethics

The Journal of Leadership, Management and Policy in Education is committed to handling corrections and retractions transparently, consistently, and responsibly. All decisions will be guided by the principles of academic integrity, fairness, accountability, and protection of the scholarly record, taking into account applicable publication ethics standards and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).