Correction, Retraction & Withdrawal Policy

Global Virology Reports (GVR) is committed to maintaining the integrity and completeness of the scholarly record. We recognize a responsibility to correct the record in a timely, transparent, and consistent manner when necessary. This policy outlines the procedures for issuing corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern, in accordance with guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Corrections (Errata)

·       Purpose: To address significant, post-publication errors that are introduced by the authors or the journal and which inadvertently affect the manuscript's interpretation or conclusion. Minor errors that do not impair understanding are not typically corrected.

·       Scope: Examples include mislabeling of a figure, a minor error in data reporting, or omission of a significant acknowledgment.

·       Process: A formal "Correction Notice" is published and linked bidirectionally to and from the original article. The original article remains accessible and is not removed.

Retractions

·       Purpose: To remove a published article from the scientific literature when the findings are deemed unreliable, either due to:

-   Unrecoverable error (e.g., honest miscalculation or experimental error).

-   Research or publication misconduct (e.g., data fabrication, plagiarism, redundant publication).

-   Unethical research conduct.

·       Process: A formal "Retraction Notice" is published and linked bidirectionally to and from the original article. The original article is digitally watermarked as "Retracted" across all platforms (PDF, HTML) but remains accessible to ensure scholarly transparency. The notice must clearly state:

-   The reason for the retraction.

-   The specific parties initiating the retraction (e.g., authors, editor, institution).

-   A full citation to the retracted article.

Expressions of Concern

·       Purpose: To alert the readership to ongoing, serious concerns about the integrity of a published article where a conclusive investigation is pending. This is a provisional measure to protect the scientific community from relying on potentially unreliable data while an official investigation is conducted.

·       Process: An "Expression of Concern" is published and linked to the article. It will be followed by a final decision (either a retraction or a follow-up notice clearing the article) once the investigation is complete.

Article Withdrawals

·       Purpose: To remove a manuscript from the publication process prior to its formal publication (i.e., while it is still "in press" or in an early access stage). Valid reasons include accidental duplicate submission, ethical violations discovered during production, or author error.

·       Process: The article is removed from the online hosting platform and a "Withdrawal Notice" is published, explaining the reason.

Authorship and Responsibility
In all cases, the corresponding author is responsible for notifying the journal of any significant error in a timely manner. Cooperation from all authors is expected in the resolution process.