Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

TATEFL is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. If errors, ethical concerns, or violations of publication standards are identified in a published article, the journal will assess the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with established publication ethics principles and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Corrections

TATEFL may publish a correction when an error is identified in a published article that requires amendment but does not invalidate the overall research findings or conclusions. Corrections may address:

  • Errors in author names, institutional affiliations, acknowledgments, or other publication details.
  • Typographical, formatting, or factual errors that could cause misunderstanding.
  • Other inaccuracies that affect the clarity or accuracy of the published article.

Correction notices will clearly describe the error and the changes made. The notice will be linked to the original article, and the article will be updated where necessary while maintaining a transparent publication record.

2. Retractions

TATEFL may retract a published article when there is reliable evidence that its findings are unreliable or that serious research or publication ethics violations have occurred. Grounds for retraction may include:

  • Plagiarism, data fabrication, or data falsification.
  • Major errors that invalidate the research findings or conclusions.
  • Duplicate publication that violates the journal's publication policies.
  • Serious breaches of research ethics or publication standards.
  • Other circumstances that substantially undermine the reliability or integrity of the published work.

Retraction notices will clearly identify the article as retracted, explain the reasons for the decision, and remain permanently linked to the original publication. Retraction notices will be freely accessible to readers.

The original article will generally remain available in the journal's archive but will be clearly marked as retracted to ensure that readers are aware of its status and to preserve the transparency of the scholarly record.

3. Expressions of Concern

TATEFL may issue an expression of concern when significant questions arise regarding the reliability or ethical integrity of a published article, but the available evidence is insufficient to reach a final conclusion. This may occur when:

  • Allegations of research or publication misconduct remain unresolved.
  • A formal investigation is ongoing and its outcome is pending.
  • Substantial concerns require readers to be informed while further investigation is conducted.

An expression of concern will explain the nature of the issue to the extent possible and appropriate. Following further investigation, the journal may take additional action, including publishing a correction or retracting the article.

4. Withdrawal of Manuscripts Before Publication

Authors who wish to withdraw a manuscript before publication must submit a formal request to the TATEFL editorial office, explaining the reasons for withdrawal. The Editor will evaluate the request and determine the appropriate course of action.

Requests submitted after peer review or during the production process may require additional justification and editorial approval. Authors must not submit the same manuscript to another journal while it remains under consideration by TATEFL. All withdrawal requests will be handled in accordance with the journal's submission policies and publication ethics standards.

5. Investigation Procedure

When potential errors, ethical violations, or other concerns regarding a published article are reported, TATEFL will conduct an appropriate assessment. Depending on the circumstances, the procedure may include:

  1. Conducting an initial assessment of the allegation or reported error.
  2. Requesting explanations, original research data, or supporting documentation from the authors.
  3. Consulting independent experts, relevant research ethics committees, or the authors' affiliated institutions where necessary.
  4. Evaluating the available evidence and determining the appropriate editorial action.
  5. Informing the relevant parties of the decision and publishing a correction, retraction, expression of concern, or other appropriate notice when necessary.

All cases will be handled fairly, objectively, and confidentially where appropriate. The journal will distinguish between honest errors, legitimate scholarly disagreements, and research or publication misconduct, following relevant COPE guidance.

6. Transparency and Publication Record

TATEFL is committed to handling corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern transparently and in a timely manner. All relevant notices will be linked to the affected articles to ensure that readers can identify the issue and understand the action taken by the journal.

Editorial decisions will be based on the available evidence, the nature and seriousness of the concern, and applicable publication ethics principles. Through this policy, TATEFL seeks to uphold academic integrity, maintain public trust in scholarly communication, and protect the accuracy and reliability of the scholarly record.