Post-Publication and Accountability Policy
The Asian Journal of Engineering and Applied Technology (AJEAT) is committed to preserving the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of its published scholarly record. Concerns raised after publication are considered fairly, proportionately, and with appropriate confidentiality. The journal handles such matters together with its Publication Ethics & Publication Malpractice Statement and may refer to relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
1. Correction Policy
AJEAT may issue a formal correction when an error affects the accuracy, interpretation, attribution, or integrity of a published article but does not invalidate the work as a whole. A correction notice should identify the affected article, describe the change clearly, and be linked to the published Version of Record.
Minor typographical, formatting, or production errors that do not alter meaning may be corrected without a separate formal notice where appropriate. Material errors should not be concealed through silent changes.
2. Retraction Policy
AJEAT may retract an article when the published findings are unreliable because of major error or misconduct, or where serious concerns such as plagiarism, redundant publication, fabrication or falsification, major ethical non-compliance, manipulated peer review, copyright infringement, or another integrity problem materially undermine the article. Related concerns are assessed under the Publication Ethics & Publication Malpractice Statement.
A retraction notice should state the reason for the action and, where appropriate, indicate who initiated it. The original article normally remains part of the scholarly record and is clearly identified as retracted. Removal without an explanatory record is reserved for exceptional legal, privacy, or safety circumstances.
3. Expressions of Concern
An Expression of Concern may be published when substantial questions about the integrity or reliability of an article remain unresolved and an investigation is incomplete, inconclusive, delayed, or dependent on information from an institution, funder, ethics body, or other responsible organisation. The notice should be linked to the article and updated when the matter is resolved.
4. Article Withdrawal
Withdrawal may be considered for an accepted or online-posted article that has not completed final publication when serious errors, duplicate publication, legal concerns, or ethical violations make continued publication inappropriate. Where a public record already exists, AJEAT should retain an appropriate explanatory notice unless legal, privacy, or safety reasons require another approach.
5. Article Replacement
Article replacement is exceptional. If a published article contains serious flaws but a corrected replacement is necessary to protect readers or the scholarly record, AJEAT may retract the original and publish a corrected replacement. The replacement and retraction notice should be linked so that the publication history remains transparent.
6. Post-Publication Discussion
AJEAT welcomes reasoned scholarly discussion concerning published work. Readers and authors may submit comments, letters, clarifications, or concerns to the editorial office. When appropriate, the original authors may be invited to respond, and correspondence may be published when it contributes meaningfully to the scholarly record and meets journal standards.
7. Complaints and Appeals
Complaints and appeals should be submitted in writing and should identify the manuscript or article, explain the issue, state the grounds for the request, and provide relevant supporting information. An appeal against an editorial decision should identify a material error in the review or decision process; an appeal does not guarantee reconsideration, acceptance, or publication.
Where a complaint concerns an editor directly involved in the matter, it should be handled by an independent senior editor or publisher representative who was not involved in the original decision. Contact details are available on the AJEAT Contact page.
8. Research Misconduct and Institutional Cooperation
When a post-publication concern suggests possible research or publication misconduct, AJEAT may request explanations or supporting records, consult independent experts, review editorial and Peer Review Process records, apply relevant ethics guidance, or contact the appropriate institution, employer, funder, ethics body, or other responsible organisation.
Possible outcomes include no action, a correction, an Expression of Concern, retraction, withdrawal, or another proportionate notice required to protect the scholarly record.
9. Transparency and Record Keeping
Formal post-publication notices should be clearly identified, dated, and linked to the affected article whenever technically possible. AJEAT aims to preserve the publication history and avoid changes that could mislead readers about what was originally published or why later action was taken.
10. Contact
Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI), 9/865, Maruthi Nagar, Rakkipalayam Post, Coimbatore - 641031, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: editorial@crijournals.org.
Version Control and Transparency
AJEAT dates formal corrections, Expressions of Concern, retractions, withdrawals, and replacement notices; links them to the affected article where possible; and states the change and its reason clearly. Material changes to interpretation, attribution, integrity, or publication status should not be made silently.
