1. Corrections

UNZA JABS recognizes its responsibility to correct errors published in its journal to uphold the integrity of the scholarly record.

1.1 Post-Publication Corrections

• If a significant error is identified in a published article—whether by the author, editor, or reader—that affects the interpretation, results, or conclusions, the Editorial Board will publish a Correction Notice.
• Corrections may relate to authorship, figures, data errors, or factual inaccuracies.
• Minor errors that do not affect the article’s overall conclusions (e.g., typos or formatting issues) may be corrected silently in the online version with a footnote indicating the change.

1.2 Refutations and Comments

• The journal welcomes scientifically grounded refutations or rebuttals of published articles.
• Refutations must:
  • Provide compelling evidence that a major claim or result in the original article is incorrect.
  • Be submitted in a concise form, usually as a Commentary or Letter to the Editor.
  • Undergo peer review, preferably by the original article’s reviewers when possible.
• Authors of the original paper will be given an opportunity to respond to the refutation.
• Both the refutation and the author’s reply (if submitted) may be published side by side.

2. Retraction Policy

Retractions are issued to alert readers to major problems that invalidate the article’s findings, ethical breaches, or violations of journal policies.

2.1 Grounds for Retraction

Articles may be retracted for reasons including (but not limited to):

• Plagiarism or copyright infringement
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Redundant publication (e.g., duplicate or overlapping submissions)
• Bogus or misrepresented authorship
• Undisclosed use of generative AI or LLMs in ways that compromise the integrity of the article
• Serious ethical misconduct (e.g., unethical research, lack of informed consent, IRB violations)
• Honest errors, such as incorrect data or faulty equipment, that significantly affect the findings

2.2 Retraction Procedure

• A Retraction Notice will be issued clearly stating:
  • The reason for the retraction
  • Whether the retraction was initiated by the authors, editors, or institution
  • A link to the original article and vice versa
• The original article will remain online for transparency, but each page will carry a digital watermark indicating “RETRACTED”.
• Retractions are handled in line with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines and best practices adopted by scholarly publishers and academic libraries.

2.3 Appeals and Disputes

• Authors may appeal a correction or retraction decision by submitting a formal written request to the Editor-in-Chief.
• Appeals will be reviewed by an independent editorial subcommittee or referred to the UNZA Research Ethics Committee as appropriate.
• Final decisions on retractions are public and non-negotiable once due process has been completed.