Retraction Policy

For Authors and Researchers – Understanding Consequences

This policy is established in strict compliance with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Policy 2024 (Revised in November 2025) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Guidelines, Version 3.

Authors and researchers are hereby notified that retraction constitutes a significant corrective measure implemented to safeguard the integrity of scientific literature. It is imperative that all contributors recognize that violations of research ethics and established publication standards may culminate in the permanent retraction of published work, an action carrying profound professional and reputational consequences. This document delineates the specific grounds for retraction and the formal procedures adhered to by the journal.

Policy Statement and Purpose

The National Journal of Health Sciences (NJHS) is steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the integrity and rectitude of the scholarly record. Retraction is employed as a mechanism of last resort, intended to correct the scientific literature and formally alert the readership to articles wherein the findings and conclusions have been determined to be fundamentally unreliable. The primary objective of retraction is the correction of the literature and the preservation of its integrity, rather than the imposition of punitive measures upon authors. Nonetheless, authors must comprehend the severe ramifications of actions necessitating such a correction.

Scope of Application

This policy is applicable to all materials published by the journal, including, but not limited to, research articles, review articles, editorials, and case reports. An article is considered “published” and thereby subject to this policy immediately upon its posting online, including in “online first” or pre-print formats.

Grounds for Retraction

The Editor-in-Chief may, at their discretion, determine to retract a publication when confidence in the veracity of the results or the validity of the conclusions is irredeemably lost. Authors must be aware that the following grounds can lead to a formal retraction.

• Unreliability of Findings and Data Integrity Issues

Retraction may be initiated upon the discovery of clear evidence pertaining to major errors or significant irregularities in data or its analysis, particularly those that compromise the reliability of the work. This includes the submission of fictitious, fabricated, or otherwise unavailable data. Furthermore, any image manipulation, alteration, or duplication that serves to misrepresent the research, or the presence of major errors in calculation or experimental procedure that invalidate the stated conclusions, shall be considered sufficient grounds.

• Ethical Misconduct and Mandated Compliance

In accordance with HEC and COPE mandates, retraction will be considered for demonstrated unethical research practices or a compromised peer-review process, such as the use of fraudulent reviewers or engagement in citation manipulation. Scientific misconduct, encompassing fraud, deception, or identity theft, is a primary ground. Additional grounds include the undisclosed involvement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that constitutes a misrepresentation of accountability, the conduct of unethical research, or the failure to secure requisite ethical approvals. The failure to disclose major competing interests or conflicts of interest that could reasonably be perceived to affect the interpretation of the work is also a basis for retraction.

• Redundant or Unauthorized Publication

The publication of findings previously published elsewhere without proper attribution, cross-referencing, or justification (classified as duplicate publication) is explicitly penalized by HEC policy and is grounds for retraction. This also extends to the unauthorized use of material or data that significantly affects the results and conclusions, or the presence of an unacceptable level of textual overlap with previously published content.

• Authorship and Accountability Deficiencies

Retraction may be warranted if the authorship of a work cannot be verified or if serious, unresolved concerns regarding the accountability for the reported research arise.

Consequences of Retraction for Authors

Authors must understand that a retraction carries severe and lasting professional consequences.

• Immediate Consequences

Upon retraction, a permanent public record is created; retraction notices are published, made freely accessible, and clearly identify the retracted article and its authors. This action invariably leads to significant damage to professional credibility and career prospects and may trigger formal investigations by the author’s home institution, funding agencies, or regulatory bodies. The retraction status is systematically communicated to all major indexing databases. The retracted article itself is conspicuously watermarked as “RETRACTED” in all extant versions (PDF, HTML), and its bibliographic title is amended to “RETRACTED”: “Original Title” with a permanent link to the retraction notice.

• Long-Term Consequences

In the long term, a retraction may adversely affect the consideration of future submissions by the same authors to the National Journal of Health Sciences. The impact extends to career milestones, potentially affecting academic promotions, tenure decisions, grant applications, and funding opportunities, while diminishing professional credibility and collaborative opportunities within the wider research community. In cases of egregious misconduct, regulatory consequences may ensue, including professional sanctions, loss of research privileges, institutional disciplinary action, or, in severe cases, legal proceedings. This information creates a permanent digital footprint, remaining accessible indefinitely online and within academic databases.

Conditions under Which Retraction Is Not Appropriate

Authors should note that retraction will not be pursued under specific circumstances. If errors or identified concerns can be sufficiently addressed through a formal Correction or Erratum, and the main results and conclusions of the study remain valid, retraction is not warranted. Similarly, retraction is not the appropriate mechanism for resolving authorship disputes, provided there is no concurrent reason to doubt the validity or reliability of the article’s content. In such cases, a Correction to the author list may be published, contingent upon justification and agreement among the involved parties.

The Retraction Procedure

Authors are advised to understand the formal process that will be followed should a retraction be considered.

• Investigation, Consultation, and Initiation

An investigation may be initiated following a request for retraction by the authors themselves, their institution (subsequent to an institutional investigation), concerned readers, or the journal’s editors.

• Institutional Cooperation (HEC/COPE Requirement)

If credible grounds for retraction are established, the Editor-in-Chief will notify the authors’ institution(s) of the suspected misconduct. The National Journal of Health Sciences reserves the right to proceed with a retraction even if an institutional investigation is ongoing, if authors are non-cooperative, or if the results of such investigations are pending.

• Author Communication

Authors will be formally notified of the decision to investigate. Furthermore, they will be informed of the final intent to retract prior to the publication of the retraction notice. It is a critical stipulation of this policy that a retraction will proceed even if all, or some, authors do not consent to the retraction or cannot be contacted.

• Timely Handling and Expressions of Concern

Retraction notices are published with all due speed to minimize the deleterious effects of unreliable research on the public record. In instances where an investigation is prolonged but the Editor-in-Chief has developed significant concerns regarding the reliability of the findings, an “Expression of Concern” may be issued as an interim measure. A formal retraction notice will supersede any such Expression of Concern upon the investigation’s conclusion.

• Batch Retractions

In exceptional cases involving large-scale, systematic manipulation affecting multiple articles, NJHS may issue Batch Retractions. Such notices will clearly state the coordinated nature of the manipulation and will detail the specific concerns that precipitated the collective decision.

Protocol Following Article Retraction

• Content of the Retraction Notice

The formal retraction notice will be drafted using objective, non-inflammatory, and non-accusatory language. It will focus strictly on the factual basis for the decision (e.g., unreliability of data, unauthorized reuse of material). The notice will explicitly state who is retracting the article (the Editor-in-Chief and/or the Publisher), the precise reasons and basis for the retraction, and, if known, whether the authors agreed or disagreed with the decision. Outcomes of relevant institutional investigations may be cited or quoted if available and pertinent.

• Display and Identification

The following actions will be executed: The article’s title will be metadata-amended to “RETRACTED”: “Original Title”. Every page of the original article, in all its formats (HTML, PDF), will be conspicuously watermarked as “RETRACTED”. The retraction notice will be inextricably linked to the retracted article via its Digital Object Identifier (DOI). The notice will clearly identify the article by its full title and complete author list. All retraction notices are made freely available to all readers and are not placed behind subscription paywalls. The NJHS Editorial team will ensure the retraction status is promptly and accurately communicated to all relevant bibliographic databases and indexing agencies to prevent inappropriate future citation.

Author Responsibilities and HEC Compliance

To prevent retraction and maintain the integrity of the publication, authors are mandated to adhere to the following responsibilities.

• Prior to Submission

Authors must verify the authenticity of the journal to ensure submissions are not made to hijacked or cloned entities, consulting their university’s Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) as mandated by HEC Section 10.b and checking journal listings in recognized databases. Authors must maintain accurate, verifiable data and proper documentation throughout the research process and must secure all necessary ethical approvals before conducting the research.

• During Manuscript Preparation

Authors are required to declare all potential conflicts of interest and competing interests that could affect the interpretation of the work. They must ensure the work is original, avoids duplicate publication, and properly attributes all sources. It is imperative to verify authorship, ensuring all listed authors have made substantial contributions, have agreed to their inclusion, and have approved the final manuscript. Any use of Artificial Intelligence in the research or writing process must be transparently declared.

• Following Publication

Authors must never cite retracted papers without explicitly acknowledging their retracted status. They are obligated to immediately report any concerns regarding research integrity to the journal and to cooperate fully with any subsequent inquiries or investigations.

• Joint Institutional and Author Responsibility

As mandated by the HEC, authors and their corresponding institutions share responsibility for verifying the authenticity of journals, ensuring publications are not directed to fraudulent entities, maintaining high standards of research integrity, and conducting proper oversight through their respective Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs).

Strategies for the Prevention of Retraction

The most effective method for avoiding retraction is the steadfast maintenance of the highest standards of research integrity from the inception of the project.

• Best Practices in Research Conduct

Authors must adhere to all institutional and international ethical guidelines. This includes maintaining transparent, accurate, and complete records of the research, encompassing raw data, analysis procedures, ethical approval documentation, and consent forms. Honesty regarding study limitations, potential conflicts of interest, funding sources, and any constraints on the research is required. Authors are encouraged to consult their institution’s Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) when in doubt and to remain informed of current COPE guidelines, HEC policies, and journal-specific requirements. Any errors or concerns discovered, whether in one’s own work or that of others, must be reported promptly.

• Pre-Submission Diligence

Before submission, authors must rigorously double-check data accuracy, image integrity, the propriety of all citations, the verification of author contributions, and full ethical compliance. Authors must assiduously avoid questionable practices, including but not limited to, engagement with paper mills, participation in citation manipulation schemes, improper image manipulation, data fabrication or falsification, and submission to predatory or hijacked journals.

Final Notice and Acknowledgment

This policy is designed to protect the integrity of the scientific literature and the reputation of scrupulous researchers. By submitting a manuscript to the National Journal of Health Sciences, the author(s) acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to this retraction policy in its entirety. They affirm their commitment to uphold the highest standards of research ethics, accept full responsibility for the integrity of their publication, and agree to cooperate fully with any investigations that may arise.

Authors must remain cognizant that a retraction creates a permanent, publicly accessible, and indexed mark on their publication record, which carries significant consequences for their professional reputation and career, and may trigger institutional or regulatory investigations. The vast majority of retractions are preventable through the maintenance of rigorous research standards, ethical practices, and transparent reporting from the commencement of the research endeavor.

Prevention is Key:

The vast majority of retractions can be avoided by maintaining rigorous research standards, ethical practices, and transparent reporting from the outset.

Policy Compliance

This retraction policy is developed in full accordance with:

• Higher Education Commission (HEC) Policy 2024 (Revised November 2025)
• Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Guidelines Version 3

Contact Information

Questions or concerns about this policy should be directed to:

Editor-In-Chief, National Journal of Health Sciences (NJHS).
Email: publication@njhsciences.com

Last Updated: 13-Novemebr-2025

© 2025 National Journal of Health Sciences, Committed to Scientific Integrity and Ethical Publication

This policy aims to foster a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability in scientific publishing. We encourage all authors to prioritize ethical research practices and open communication with the editorial team.