Retraction Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

The Journal of Research in Social Sciences (JRSS) is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. Retractions, corrections, and related notices are essential mechanisms to ensure the accuracy, transparency, and reliability of published research. JRSS follows the best practices and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Retraction is a mechanism for correcting the literature and alerting readers to publications that contain seriously flawed or unreliable content. The primary purpose is to maintain the integrity of the academic record, not to punish authors.

2. Grounds for Retraction

An article may be retracted if there is clear evidence of:

  • Plagiarism or unattributed use of others’ work
  • Data fabrication, falsification, or unreliable findings
  • Duplicate or redundant publication
  • Unethical research practices (e.g., lack of ethical approval or consent)
  • Manipulation of the peer review process
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest affecting the research
  • Copyright infringement or legal violations

Retraction is intended to correct the academic record and not to punish authors.

3. Retraction Process and Notice

JRSS follows a fair and transparent process. Concerns may be raised by any stakeholder and are reviewed by the editorial team. Authors are informed and given an opportunity to respond. After investigation, the Editor-in-Chief may decide to retract the article, issue a correction, or take no action.

All retractions will be clearly identified and linked to the original article. The retraction notice will include the reason for retraction and indicate who is issuing it (author or editor). The original article will remain available online but will be clearly marked as “Retracted.”

4. Corrections and Expressions of Concern

Minor errors that do not affect the validity of the research will be corrected through an erratum (publisher error) or corrigendum (author error). An Expression of Concern may be issued when there are serious doubts about an article but conclusive evidence is not yet available or an investigation is ongoing.

5. Article Withdrawal and Post-Publication Integrity

Articles may be withdrawn before publication if significant errors or ethical concerns are identified. In accordance with COPE guidelines, retracted articles will not be removed from the journal archive. Instead, they will remain accessible and be clearly marked as “Retracted.” A formal retraction notice will be published, linked to the original article, and will state the reason for retraction. This ensures transparency and preserves the integrity of the scholarly record.

6. Compliance

JRSS adheres to the ethical standards and best practices of COPE, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).