Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern

The Journal of Leadership in Sport and Management (JLSM) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record. When significant errors or concerns are identified after publication, the journal will take appropriate action in accordance with the nature and seriousness of the issue.

JLSM follows relevant guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when considering corrections, retractions, expressions of concern, and other post-publication actions.

Corrections

A correction may be published when an error affects the accuracy, interpretation, attribution, or understanding of an article but does not invalidate the work as a whole.

Corrections may address errors originating from the authors or introduced during the editorial or production process.

Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the scientific meaning or bibliographic integrity of an article will not normally require a formal correction.

A formal correction will be clearly identified, linked to the original article, and describe the nature of the change. Where appropriate, the published article may also be updated with a transparent indication that a correction has been issued.

Retractions

An article may be retracted when there is reliable evidence that its findings or conclusions are seriously unreliable or when continued inclusion of the article in the scholarly record without a clear warning would be misleading.

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

fabrication or falsification of data;
serious methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the principal conclusions;
plagiarism;
substantial redundant or duplicate publication;
unethical research;
manipulation or compromise of the peer-review or publication process;
publication without necessary authorisation or consent; or
other serious breaches of research or publication integrity.

Retraction is intended primarily to correct the scholarly record and protect its integrity. It is not intended as a mechanism for punishment.

Retraction Notices

A retraction notice will clearly identify the retracted article and explain the reason for the retraction to the extent possible and appropriate.

The notice will be linked to the original article and made freely accessible.

The original article will normally remain available as part of the scholarly record but will be clearly marked as retracted. JLSM will not normally remove the full text of a retracted article unless exceptional circumstances, such as legal requirements, serious privacy concerns, or significant risks of harm, justify removal.

Expressions of Concern

JLSM may publish an expression of concern when substantial questions have been raised regarding the reliability, integrity, or ethical status of a published article but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to justify a correction or retraction.

An expression of concern may also be appropriate when an investigation is ongoing, when relevant evidence is inconclusive, or when an institutional investigation cannot be completed within a reasonable period.

The expression of concern will be linked to the article concerned and will be replaced or supplemented by an appropriate final action when sufficient information becomes available.

Article Removal

Removal of a published article is an exceptional measure.

It may be considered when continued publication would violate legal rights, court orders, confidentiality or privacy requirements, or create a serious and demonstrable risk of harm.

Where possible, bibliographic information will be retained together with an explanation of why the article is no longer available.

Author-Initiated Changes

Authors who identify a significant error in their published work should contact the editorial office promptly.

Requests to alter published articles for reasons that do not affect their accuracy or integrity, including retrospective changes to authorship without adequate justification, will not normally result in modification of the scholarly record.

Version of Record

The published article constitutes the Version of Record. Any substantive post-publication changes will therefore be made transparently and documented through an appropriate correction, retraction, expression of concern, or other formal notice.

Post-Publication Review

JLSM will consider credible concerns about published material regardless of whether they are raised by authors, readers, reviewers, institutions, or other parties.

The journal may request supporting documentation and may consult authors, reviewers, independent experts, institutions, ethics committees, research integrity offices, or other relevant bodies when necessary.

Editorial action will be based on the available evidence and the need to preserve an accurate and trustworthy scholarly record.