R-W-C-R-R Policy

R-W-C-R-R Policy (Retraction, Withdrawal, Correction, Removal, Replacement)

Journal of Communication Management and Organization (JCMO)

The Journal of Communication Management and Organization (JCMO) is committed to maintaining the integrity, transparency, and reliability of the scholarly record. This policy outlines the procedures for handling Article Retraction, Withdrawal, Correction, Removal, and Replacement, in accordance with best publishing practices and guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Article Retraction

JCMO may retract a published article under the following circumstances:

  • Serious scientific errors that invalidate the findings or conclusions (e.g., miscalculations or experimental errors).
  • Research misconduct, including data fabrication or falsification.
  • Redundant or duplicate publication without proper citation, justification, or permission.
  • Plagiarism or unethical authorship practices.

Retraction Procedure

To ensure fairness and consistency, JCMO follows this process:

  1. Concerns regarding a published article must be reported to the Editor.
  2. The Editor evaluates the case in line with COPE guidelines, including obtaining responses from the authors.
  3. The case may be reviewed by the Editorial Board or Ethics Committee for further validation.
  4. A final decision is made and communicated to the author(s) and, if necessary, relevant institutions.
  5. A retraction notice is published online and in the next available issue, clearly stating the reasons for retraction.

Note: Retraction decisions are made to protect the integrity of the scholarly record. Authors cannot unilaterally retract their published work.

Article Withdrawal

Withdrawal applies to manuscripts prior to publication.

  • Authors are expected to commit to the submission process once a manuscript is submitted.
  • Withdrawal requests during peer review must be accompanied by a valid and justified reason.
  • Requests must be submitted formally through an official letter signed by the corresponding author (and affiliated institution, if applicable).

Policy Enforcement

  • Unethical withdrawal (e.g., simultaneous submission to another journal) may result in:
    • Temporary submission restrictions (blacklisting).
    • Administrative penalties as determined by the journal.
  • Withdrawal after acceptance is strongly discouraged and subject to stricter sanctions.

Article Correction

JCMO issues corrections to ensure the accuracy and integrity of published content.

Correction Criteria

Corrections may be made when:

  • Minor errors are identified that do not invalidate the overall findings.
  • Author details or contributor lists are incorrect.
  • Clarifications are needed to improve transparency or understanding.

Types of Corrections

  • Erratum (Publisher Correction): For errors introduced during the publication process.
  • Corrigendum (Author Correction): For errors made by the author.
  • Addendum: For additional information or clarification that enhances the original article.

Process

The Editor evaluates the need for correction, possibly consulting reviewers or editorial board members. The final decision rests with the Editor.

Article Removal

In rare cases, JCMO may remove an article from its online platform when:

  • The content is defamatory or violates legal rights.
  • The article is subject to court orders or legal restrictions.
  • There are serious ethical or legal concerns that cannot be resolved through retraction.

In such cases:

  • The article metadata will remain.
  • The full text will be replaced with a notice explaining the removal.

Article Replacement

If a published article contains significant errors but a corrected version is available:

  • The original article may be retracted.
  • A revised and corrected version may be published.
  • The retraction notice will include a link to the updated article and document the publication history.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

JCMO ensures that all actions taken under this policy prioritize transparency, accountability, and the integrity of academic publishing. All decisions are guided by internationally recognized standards, particularly those established by COPE.