Corrections and Withdrawals

The Iraqi Journal of Embryos and Infertility Researches (IJEIR) recognizes its responsibility to maintain the integrity and completeness of the scholarly record. While we strive for perfection during the peer-review and production processes, errors occasionally occur.

IJEIR follows the guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding corrections, retractions, and article withdrawals.

Corrections (Errata and Corrigenda)

A correction will be published if a significant error is discovered in a published article that affects the scientific accuracy, the interpretation of the data, or the credibility of the research, but does not invalidate the overall conclusions of the study.

• Corrigendum: Published when the error is introduced by the authors (e.g., a mistake in a data table, an omitted author).
• Erratum: Published when the error is introduced by the journal or publisher during the editing or typesetting process.

The correction will clearly link back to the original article to ensure transparency for future readers. Minor typographical errors that do not affect meaning will generally not warrant a formal published correction.

Article Retractions

Retraction is a mechanism for correcting the literature and alerting readers to publications that contain such seriously flawed or erroneous data that their findings and conclusions cannot be relied upon.

An article may be retracted by the Editor-in-Chief if there is clear evidence of:

• Scientific Misconduct: Fabrication or falsification of data.
• Unreliable Findings: Honest errors (e.g., miscalculation or experimental error) that completely invalidate the conclusions.
• Severe Plagiarism: Extensive uncredited copying of previously published work.
• Redundant Publication: The findings have previously been published elsewhere without proper cross-referencing, permission, or justification.
• Ethical Violations: Unethical research involving human or animal subjects.

When an article is retracted, a formal Notice of Retraction will be published, outlining the reasons for the retraction and specifying who requested it (e.g., the authors, the institution, or the Editor). The original article will remain online but will be prominently watermarked as "RETRACTED" to maintain the historical record.

Article Withdrawals

An article withdrawal is an action typically taken before the article is officially published in an issue (e.g., during the "Article in Press" or "Pre-proof" stage).

• Author-Initiated Withdrawal: Authors may request to withdraw their manuscript during the peer-review process before acceptance. However, withdrawing a manuscript after acceptance without a valid scientific reason is strongly discouraged and considered unprofessional.
• Editor-Initiated Withdrawal: The Editor may withdraw an "Article in Press" if it is discovered to contain severe ethical violations, accidental duplicate submission, or if it represents infringements of professional ethical codes prior to formal publication.

In cases of Editor-initiated withdrawal of a pre-published paper, the content is typically removed and replaced with a brief note stating that the article has been withdrawn according to journal policy.