Article Retraction & Withdrawal

Post-Publication and Editorial Policy

Article Retraction & Withdrawal

Journal of Consumer and Business Psychology

The Journal of Consumer and Business Psychology (JCBP) is committed to maintaining an accurate, reliable, transparent, and permanent scholarly record. The journal distinguishes between the withdrawal of an unpublished manuscript and the retraction of an article that has already been formally published.

Withdrawal removes an unpublished manuscript from active editorial consideration. Retraction is a formal post-publication action used when an article contains serious problems that make its findings, conclusions, originality, ethical legitimacy, or publication status unreliable. The main purpose of retraction is to correct the scholarly record and protect readers, rather than to punish authors.

Unpublished Manuscript

Withdrawal

Removal from the active editorial process before formal publication.

Published Article

Retraction

Formal correction when serious problems invalidate the publication.

Minor Error

Correction

Erratum or corrigendum is used when the article remains reliable.

Inconclusive Concern

Expression of Concern

A temporary notice may be issued while an investigation continues.

Publication Status Determines the Correct Action

Once an article has been formally published online, assigned a publication date, DOI, article number, page range, or final version of record, it is no longer treated as an unpublished manuscript. A serious problem discovered after that point must be addressed through retraction, correction, or another appropriate post-publication notice rather than silent withdrawal.

Manuscript Withdrawal

Authors may request withdrawal of a manuscript that has not yet been formally published. The request must be submitted by the corresponding author through the journal's editorial system or official editorial email and must include the manuscript title, submission identification, reason for withdrawal, and confirmation that all authors have approved the request.

Before Peer Review

A withdrawal request submitted before reviewer assignment is normally processed after verification of the request and agreement of all authors.

During Peer Review

Authors must explain the reason for withdrawal because editors and reviewers may already have invested substantial time in evaluating the manuscript.

After Acceptance

A request submitted after acceptance requires editorial review and written confirmation from all authors before the manuscript is removed from production.

A manuscript is not considered withdrawn until the editorial office issues written confirmation. Authors must not submit the manuscript to another journal while its status in JCBP remains active.

Grounds for Manuscript Withdrawal

Discovery of a serious error before publication

Inability to provide required data or ethical documentation

Unresolved authorship or contributor dispute

Accidental submission of an incorrect manuscript

Lack of approval from all authors or responsible institution

Other legitimate circumstances accepted by the editor

Improper or Unethical Withdrawal

A withdrawal request does not automatically end an investigation into duplicate submission, plagiarism, fabricated data, falsification, unauthorized authorship, peer review manipulation, copyright infringement, or another potential breach of publication ethics.

When a request appears intended to conceal misconduct or avoid an editorial investigation, JCBP may continue the investigation, contact the authors' institution when appropriate, and retain relevant editorial records. A manuscript withdrawn from active consideration may still be recorded internally as having been withdrawn during an ethics investigation.

Withdrawal Charges

JCBP does not charge a manuscript withdrawal fee. Withdrawal is not used as a source of revenue. Authors remain responsible for submitting requests honestly, promptly, and with the agreement of all co-authors.

Grounds for Article Retraction

JCBP may retract a published article when reliable evidence indicates one or more serious problems.

Unreliable Findings

Findings or conclusions are unreliable because of major error, fabricated data, falsification, inappropriate analysis, or serious methodological defects.

Plagiarism

Substantial text, ideas, data, figures, instruments, or other material were used without appropriate acknowledgment or authorization.

Redundant Publication

The article substantially duplicates a previously published work without proper disclosure, permission, justification, or cross-reference.

Unethical Research

The research was conducted without required ethical approval, valid informed consent, appropriate participant protection, or other essential safeguards.

Compromised Peer Review

The review or editorial process was manipulated, fabricated, improperly influenced, or affected by serious undisclosed conflicts of interest.

Legal or Rights Violation

Publication infringes copyright, confidentiality, privacy, contractual rights, or another applicable legal obligation.

When Retraction Is Usually Not Required

Retraction is normally unnecessary when a limited error can be corrected without invalidating the principal findings and conclusions. Minor production errors may be addressed through an erratum, while author-originated errors may be addressed through a corrigendum.

A change in authorship does not normally require retraction when the validity and reliability of the article remain unaffected. Such changes require appropriate evidence, consent from the relevant parties, and publication of a transparent correction notice.

Expression of Concern

JCBP may publish an expression of concern when serious questions have been raised but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to support a correction or retraction.

An investigation is ongoing and a reliable conclusion is expected to require substantial time.

Available evidence raises significant doubt about the article but remains incomplete or disputed.

An institutional investigation appears delayed, inconclusive, insufficiently independent, or unavailable.

Investigation and Decision Process

Initial Assessment

The editor examines the allegation, published article, supporting evidence, and relevant editorial records.

Author Clarification

Authors are normally invited to respond and may be required to provide data, approvals, permissions, or other documentation.

Independent Review

Independent experts, editorial board members, or institutions may be consulted when specialist assessment is required.

Final Action

The Editor-in-Chief determines whether correction, concern, retraction, or no further action is appropriate.

Retraction may proceed without the agreement of every author when the available evidence supports the action. Authors' disagreement may be stated in the retraction notice when relevant.

Retraction Notice Requirements

Every retraction notice must clearly identify the affected article and provide sufficient information for readers to understand the action.

Article title, authors, citation, and DOI

Clear identification as a retraction notice

The reason and factual basis for retraction

Identification of who initiated the retraction

Distinction between honest error and misconduct

Publication date and permanent notice location

The notice should use objective, factual, and non-defamatory language. It should be published promptly after the decision so that readers are warned without unnecessary delay.

Treatment of a Retracted Article

Remains in the Archive

The original article remains accessible to preserve the scholarly record and is not silently deleted from the journal archive.

Clearly Marked

The article page and publication file are clearly labelled or watermarked with the word RETRACTED.

Bidirectional Linking

The article is linked to the retraction notice, and the retraction notice is linked back to the original article.

DOI Is Retained

The DOI, citation, and permanent article URL remain active while the metadata clearly indicate the retracted status.

Metadata Is Updated

Journal metadata and relevant registration or indexing records are updated to reflect the retraction.

All Versions Are Identified

The retracted status is displayed consistently on HTML, PDF, metadata, archive, and other available versions.

Exceptional Removal of Published Content

Complete removal of a published article is reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as a binding legal order, serious privacy violation, unlawful content, or material that creates an immediate and substantial risk to personal safety.

When removal is unavoidable, the article landing page and bibliographic record should be retained whenever legally possible, together with a notice explaining why the full content is no longer available.

Editorial Documentation

JCBP maintains an appropriate editorial record of withdrawal, correction, expression of concern, and retraction cases. Documentation may include:

Original complaint or withdrawal request

Editorial correspondence and author responses

Reviewer or independent expert assessments

Data, permissions, approvals, and supporting evidence

Editorial decision and grounds for the action

Published notice and metadata updates

Confidential information obtained during an investigation is restricted to authorized editorial personnel and other parties whose involvement is necessary to resolve the case.

Appeals

Authors may appeal a withdrawal-related or retraction-related decision by submitting a written explanation and supporting evidence to the Editor-in-Chief. The appeal must identify a significant factual error, procedural irregularity, conflict of interest, or new evidence that could materially affect the decision.

An appeal may be evaluated by an editor or independent expert who was not directly responsible for the original decision. Submission of an appeal does not automatically suspend a retraction notice or reverse an editorial action. The decision issued after the appeal process is complete is final.

Publication Integrity Commitment

JCBP handles withdrawal, correction, expression of concern, and retraction cases according to the evidence available, the journal's publication ethics policy, and the applicable guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics Retraction Guidelines .

Withdrawal before publication • Retraction after publication • Permanent and transparent scholarly record