1. Purpose

UNZA JABS is committed to preserving the integrity of the scholarly record. This Content Update Policy outlines how we manage updates to published content using Crossmark metadata to ensure transparency, accountability, and trust in our research publications.

2. Use of Crossmark

UNZA JABS uses Crossmark, a multi-publisher initiative from Crossref, to alert readers to changes in the scholarly record. Each published article includes the Crossmark logo, and clicking it reveals the current status of the document and whether any updates (corrections, retractions, etc.) have been made.

3. Types of Content Updates

Type of Update	Description	Linked To
Correction (Erratum or Corrigendum)	Used when minor errors are identified that do not affect the article's conclusions (e.g., author affiliation, formatting, minor data errors).	Original article
Retraction	Issued when major flaws invalidate the article’s findings due to misconduct, error, or plagiarism.	Original article + Retraction notice
Withdrawal	Applies to articles withdrawn before formal publication (e.g., early view/pre-proof) due to error or ethical issues.	Metadata flagged as withdrawn
Addendum	Used to update or expand on information in the original article (e.g., post-publication data, clarification).	Linked to original
Expression of Concern	Temporary notice when the validity of the article is under serious question, but investigation is ongoing.	Original article

4. Criteria for Updating Content

• All update decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief in consultation with the Editorial Board.
• Decisions follow COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
• Authors will be notified and may be invited to respond where relevant.

5. Version Control and Archiving

• All updates are time-stamped, versioned, and permanently linked to the original article.
• The Crossmark record maintains a full audit trail of all changes.
• Updated articles remain accessible, with clear indication of their current version and status.

6. Metadata and Indexing

• Updated metadata is immediately deposited with Crossref to ensure discoverability.
• Update notices are indexed and visible in bibliographic databases (e.g., Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed Central).

7. Transparency and Reader Notification

• All published updates (corrections, retractions, etc.) are open access.
• Readers are encouraged to click the Crossmark logo to verify the document’s update status.