This Corrections and Retractions Policy applies to all journals published by the International Academic Research Consortium (IARCON). All IARCON journals adhere to this policy to preserve the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the scholarly record. This policy is developed in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and internationally recognized best practices for scholarly publishing.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that errors or ethical concerns identified before or after publication are addressed promptly, transparently, and fairly while maintaining the integrity of the published literature.

Corrections

When errors that do not invalidate the overall findings of a published article are identified, the journal may publish a correction to ensure the accuracy of the scholarly record.

Corrections may be issued for:

• Typographical or formatting errors. 
• Errors in author names, affiliations, or contact information. 
• Minor errors in tables, figures, or references. 
• Metadata or DOI-related errors. 
• Other factual inaccuracies that do not compromise the validity or conclusions of the research. 

Corrections will be clearly linked to the original article and will remain permanently available.

Retractions

A published article may be retracted when there is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable or when serious ethical or publication misconduct has occurred.

Reasons for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

• Plagiarism.  
• Duplicate or redundant publication. 
• Data fabrication or falsification. 
• Unethical research involving human participants or animals. 
• Major errors that invalidate the study's findings. 
• Image manipulation. 
• Authorship fraud or serious authorship disputes. 
• Peer review manipulation. 
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest that significantly affect the integrity of the publication. 

Expressions of Concern

Where a serious concern has been raised but an investigation has not yet been concluded, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern to inform readers while the matter is under review.

Retraction Procedure

Before a retraction is issued, the Editorial Office will:

• Conduct a fair and impartial investigation. 
• Provide the authors with an opportunity to respond. 
• Consult the Editorial Board and, where appropriate, the authors' institution or funding agency. 
• Follow the relevant COPE Flowcharts and ethical guidance throughout the investigation. 

The final decision to issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

Transparency

Correction notices, expressions of concern, and retraction notices will:

• Clearly identify the affected article. 
• Explain the reason for the editorial action. 
• Be permanently linked to the original publication. 
• Remain freely accessible to readers. 

Retracted articles will generally remain available online to preserve the scholarly record but will be clearly identified as Retracted.

Author Responsibility

Authors are expected to notify the Editorial Office promptly if they discover a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work. Authors should cooperate fully in correcting or retracting the article when necessary.

Editorial Responsibility

Editors are responsible for investigating reported concerns objectively, confidentially, and without unnecessary delay. Editorial actions are taken solely to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record and are not intended as punitive measures.

COPE Compliance

All correction and retraction decisions are made in accordance with the COPE Core Practices and COPE Flowcharts, ensuring consistency, fairness, transparency, and adherence to internationally recognized publication ethics.

Commitment to Research Integrity

IARCON and all its journals are committed to maintaining an accurate, transparent, and trustworthy scholarly record. Corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions are implemented whenever necessary to uphold the highest standards of research integrity, publication ethics, and academic excellence.