CORRECTION AND RETRACTION

This page explains how Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan Masyarakat, abbreviated as SEHATMAS, amends articles after they have been published. Published articles in public health and the health sciences can be used in clinical practice, in health programs, and in policy. Therefore, the journal keeps the published record accurate, and it tells readers clearly when an article has been changed or can no longer be relied on.

The journal uses three kinds of action: a correction, an expression of concern, and a retraction. A request by an author to remove a published article is assessed under this policy and is not granted automatically.

Corrections repair. Retractions warn. A correction repairs an error in an article that is still substantially reliable. A retraction warns readers that an article can no longer be relied on. An expression of concern alerts readers while a serious issue is being examined.

Overview of the Actions

Action	When it is used	What readers see
Correction	The article is substantially reliable, but it contains an error that can be repaired.	A dated correction notice that is linked to the original article.
Expression of concern	A serious concern exists and the investigation is not yet resolved.	A dated notice that is linked to the article.
Retraction	The article can no longer be relied on, for example because of a serious error or misconduct.	A dated retraction notice and a clear status warning on the article.

Part A. Corrections

A1. When a Correction Is Appropriate

No.	Type of error
1	Errors in data, tables, figures, or supplementary files, such as questionnaires, scales, interview guides, and instruments.
2	Incorrect author names or affiliations.
3	Missing or incorrect funding, competing interest, or acknowledgement statements.
4	Errors in references or in the attribution of sources.

Limits of a correction. A correction cannot be used to hide findings that are fundamentally unreliable. If a change would significantly alter the conclusions of an article, the journal first decides whether a correction is enough or whether another action is needed. Changes to the list of authors follow the Authorship and Contributorship policy.

A2. Requesting and Assessing a Correction

Point	What is done
How to request	Authors and readers can request a correction by email to the editorial office at jurnal.sehatmas@gmail.com.
What to include	The DOI of the article, the passage that is affected, the change that is proposed, and the reason for the change.
Errors found by authors	Authors who find a significant error in their own published work should inform the journal promptly.
Assessment	The responsible editor assesses the effect of the error. The editor may ask the authors to respond, or may ask for independent advice.
Wider concerns	If the case raises wider concerns about research integrity, it follows the Allegations of Misconduct policy.
Agreement of authors	The journal seeks the agreement of the authors, but it may make a necessary correction without it.

A3. The Correction Notice

Feature	Description
Content	The notice identifies the article, describes the error and how it was repaired, and explains any effect on the interpretation of the article. It may be called a corrigendum or an erratum.
Visibility	The notice is dated, clearly labeled as a correction, freely accessible, and linked to the original article.
Transparency	Substantive changes are always disclosed and are never made silently. Minor typographical or technical fixes may be recorded as a version note or an administrative update.
Privacy	A request to change the name of an author is handled with respect for the privacy of the author, and notices avoid unnecessary personal details.

A4. Implementation

Step	What happens
1	When a correction changes the file of an article, the corrected version is published together with the correction notice.
2	The change is recorded, so that readers can see what was changed and when.
3	The DOI of the article stays the same.
4	Where needed, the journal updates the metadata of the article and informs indexing services.

Part B. Retractions

B1. Grounds for Considering a Retraction

No.	Ground
1	The findings are unreliable because of a major error, fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate analysis.
2	The article contains substantial plagiarism, or it is a redundant publication that was not disclosed.
3	There is a serious problem with the right of the authors to publish the work.
4	There was a serious ethical failure, for example research that was carried out without the required permission, ethical clearance, or consent of participants.
5	The assessment process of the article was compromised.
6	A major competing interest was not disclosed.

An honest error can also justify a retraction when it undermines the findings. Proof that the authors intended to mislead is not always required.

B2. Safeguards in the Decision

Safeguard	Description
Who decides	An authorized editor without a conflict of interest decides. The publisher then carries out the decision.
Evidence	The evidence and the responses of the authors are reviewed under the Allegations of Misconduct policy.
What is normally not enough	Allegations without support, an authorship dispute alone, and problems that a correction can fix do not normally justify a retraction.
Role of the authors	The authors can normally respond. Their agreement is not required, and the protection of readers will not be delayed indefinitely.

B3. The Retraction Notice

Feature	Description
Identification	The notice identifies the article and its DOI, and states who is issuing the retraction.
Reasons	The notice gives reasons that are based on evidence, and it separates what is established from what is unresolved.
Wording	The wording is factual and proportionate. The notice does not blame a whole group without evidence.
Visibility	The notice is dated, freely accessible, clearly labeled as a retraction, and permanently linked to the article.

B4. Handling of the Published Record

Point	Description
Retracted articles stay available	A retracted article normally remains available with a clear status warning and a link to the notice. It is not deleted.
Exceptions	For legal reasons, or when there is a serious risk to the privacy or the safety of participants, such as patients or minors, the full text may be removed. A notice then explains the removal.
License rights	A retraction does not withdraw the license rights that readers have already received under the Licensing terms of the journal.

Part C. Expressions of Concern

Point	Description
When it is issued	A serious concern about an article is unresolved, or the evidence suggests a serious problem but is not yet conclusive.
Notice	The notice is dated, freely accessible, and linked to the article.
Resolution	When the matter is resolved, the notice is replaced by, or followed by, a correction, a retraction, or a statement that the concern has been resolved.
Procedure	These cases are handled under the Allegations of Misconduct policy.

Part D. Requests to Remove a Published Article

An author may ask the journal to remove a published article. Such a request is assessed under this policy, and it is not granted automatically. The editors consider the reason for the request, the effect on the scholarly record, and the other actions described on this page.

Related Policies and Enquiries

Topic	Page
Ethical principles of the journal	Publication Ethics
Originality and research integrity	Plagiarism and Research Integrity Policy
Reports and investigations	Allegations of Misconduct
Other related policies	Conflicts of Interest and Post Publication Discussion