The Pakistan Journal of Nutrition (PJN) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record. When errors, omissions, or concerns are identified in published content, the journal will consider appropriate post-publication action based on the nature, extent, and potential effect of the issue on the reliability of the article.

Reporting Concerns About Published Articles

Authors, readers, reviewers, editors, institutions, or other individuals may notify the journal of errors or concerns relating to published content. Concerns should be supported by sufficient information to allow the journal to assess the matter.

The journal will review credible concerns objectively and may contact the authors, relevant editors, institutions, or other appropriate parties when additional information or clarification is required.

Minor Errors

Minor typographical, grammatical, or formatting errors that do not affect the scientific meaning, interpretation, or reliability of an article may be corrected when necessary. Minor errors that have no material effect on the article may not require a formal correction notice.

Corrections

A formal correction may be issued when an error or omission affects part of a published article but does not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions. Examples may include errors in data presentation, figures, tables, author information, methodological details, calculations, or other information important to the interpretation or use of the article.

The correction notice will identify the article concerned, describe the correction clearly, and be linked to the published article. Where appropriate, the article itself may also be updated with a clear indication that a correction has been issued.

Author-Initiated Corrections

Authors who discover a significant error in their published work should notify the journal promptly and provide an explanation of the error and the proposed correction. The journal will determine the appropriate action after evaluating the effect of the error on the published record.

Retractions

An article may be retracted when the journal determines that its findings or conclusions are no longer reliable or that a serious breach of publication or research integrity has occurred.

Reasons for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

• Fabrication, falsification, or serious manipulation of data or results;
• Major errors that invalidate the principal findings or conclusions of the article;
• Plagiarism or substantial unattributed use of previously published material;
• Redundant or duplicate publication without appropriate disclosure or justification;
• Unethical research or serious failures involving required ethical approval or informed consent;
• Compromised or manipulated peer review or editorial processes;
• Serious authorship or copyright problems that materially affect the integrity of the publication; or
• Other circumstances in which the reliability or integrity of the published article cannot reasonably be maintained.

Retraction Notices

A retracted article will normally remain part of the scholarly record. A retraction notice will be published and clearly linked to the affected article. The article will be identified as retracted so that readers can readily determine its publication status.

The retraction notice should state the reason for the retraction and, where appropriate, identify whether the retraction was initiated by the authors, editors, publisher, or another responsible party. Retraction notices should be factual and should avoid unnecessary or potentially defamatory statements.

Expression of Concern

The journal may publish an Expression of Concern when serious questions have been raised about a published article but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to determine whether a correction or retraction is required.

An Expression of Concern may also be considered when an investigation is ongoing, relevant evidence is inconclusive, or obtaining a reliable outcome from an institution or other responsible body is expected to take a substantial amount of time.

When the matter is resolved, the journal may remove or update the Expression of Concern as appropriate and may issue a correction, retraction, or other editorial notice.

Retraction and Republication

In exceptional circumstances, retraction followed by republication may be considered when a major but unintentional error substantially affects the results, interpretation, or conclusions of an article while the underlying research remains scientifically valid after appropriate correction and editorial evaluation.

Any such action will be clearly documented so that readers can understand the relationship between the original and corrected versions.

Removal of Published Content

Complete removal of published content will be considered only in exceptional circumstances. These may include situations involving legal requirements, serious privacy violations, material that creates a significant and immediate risk of harm, or other circumstances in which continued public availability would be inappropriate.

Where content must be removed, the journal will seek to preserve an appropriate bibliographic record and provide an explanation for the removal whenever legally and ethically permissible.

Nutrition and Health-Related Information

Because PJN publishes research that may involve nutrition, dietary practices, supplements, clinical populations, public health, and related health outcomes, the journal may take prompt corrective action when an error could materially affect the interpretation or responsible use of health-related findings.

The need for timely action does not remove the journal's responsibility to assess concerns fairly and obtain appropriate evidence before reaching a final editorial decision.

Investigations and Author Cooperation

When evaluating a post-publication concern, the journal may request explanations, original data, ethical approval documentation, consent information, analytical records, or other materials necessary to assess the reliability and integrity of the published work.

Authors are expected to cooperate with reasonable editorial inquiries. Where appropriate, the journal may seek information from the authors' institutions, research ethics committees, funding organizations, or other relevant bodies.

Preservation of the Scholarly Record

Corrections, retractions, Expressions of Concern, and other post-publication notices will be designed to preserve transparency in the scholarly record. Notices will be linked to the affected article whenever possible, and the status of an article will be made clear to readers.

The purpose of corrective action is to maintain an accurate and trustworthy scientific record rather than to punish authors. Each case will be considered according to the available evidence and the nature and seriousness of the issue.