Correction, Retraction, Withdrawal Policies

The Journal of Sport Sciences is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record. The journal takes appropriate editorial action when errors, concerns, or misconduct are identified in published articles. This policy is guided by the principles of academic integrity, publication ethics, and sound editorial practice in handling corrections, retractions, and  expressions of concern.

First: Corrections

The journal issues a correction when an unintentional error is identified after publication, provided that the error does not undermine the main findings or conclusions of the article. Corrections may relate to author names or affiliations, tables, figures, numerical values, units, explanatory statements, or any editorial or scientific information that requires clarification or  amendment. Corrections are published as separate notices linked to the original article and clearly describe the nature of the error and the correction made. The journal does not apply silent changes to published articles when the change affects the scholarly record. Any  significant correction must be documented transparently.

Second: Retractions

The journal may retract a published article if a serious problem is confirmed that affects the reliability, originality, or integrity of the work. Reasons for retraction may include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, duplicate publication, simultaneous submission, data fabrication, falsification of results, manipulation of images or tables, or major methodological errors that render the findings or  conclusions unreliable. When a retraction is issued, the journal publishes a clear retraction notice linked to the original article, stating the reason for retraction in a professional and concise manner. Retraction does not necessarily mean removal of the article from the scholarly record. Where appropriate, the article may remain accessible but must be clearly marked as retracted in order to preserve transparency and  prevent improper future use.

Third: Expressions of Concern

The journal may publish an expression of concern when serious concerns arise regarding a published article, but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to issue a final correction or retraction. This may apply in cases of suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, authorship disputes, or when further institutional or scientific  investigation is required. An expression of concern is intended to alert readers that a matter is under investigation without reaching a final conclusion before the verification process is complete. The Editorial Board follows up on the case and takes the appropriate action once sufficient evidence becomes available, whether through correction, retraction, or  removal of the expression of concern.

Fourth: Handling Procedures

The Editorial Board receives reports or concerns regarding possible errors or misconduct from authors, readers, reviewers, or academic institutions. Each case is examined confidentially and professionally, and the journal may request explanations or  supporting documents from the authors or relevant parties. Authors are given a reasonable opportunity to respond to concerns or allegations related to their work, unless the issue is already clearly documented and requires immediate editorial action. Decisions regarding correction, retraction, or expression of concern are based on evidence and are made in a fair and transparent  manner.

Fifth: Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for notifying the journal promptly if they discover a significant error in their published article. They must cooperate with the Editorial Board in correcting the error or clarifying its effect on the results and conclusions. Authors may also be required to provide data or supporting information when needed  to verify the integrity of the article.

Sixth: Protection of the Scholarly Record

This policy aims to protect readers, researchers, and academic institutions from relying on inaccurate or unreliable information, and to ensure that articles published in the Journal of Sport Sciences remain part of a clear, transparent, and traceable scholarly record. The journal reserves the right to take the appropriate editorial action according to the nature of each case and its impact on the reliability  of the published work.