Correction and Retraction

SONDE (Sound of Dentistry) is responsible for maintaining an accurate, transparent, and traceable scholarly record. Authors, readers, reviewers, and editors should report any significant errors or ethical concerns through the journal’s official contact channel.

Corrections

A correction is appropriate when an error needs to be amended, but the main findings and conclusions of the article remain valid. Examples of errors that may be corrected include inaccuracies in author information, bibliographic details, tables, figures, calculations, acknowledgments, or declarations, as long as their correction does not invalidate the central conclusions. The journal will decide whether a formal correction notice is necessary based on the significance and impact of the error. Changes to authorship require a written explanation, appropriate supporting documentation, and the agreement of the affected authors. Unresolved authorship disputes may need to be referred to the relevant institutions.

Retractions

Articles may be retracted for scientific errors, including multiple submissions, false claims of authorship, plagiarism, fraudulent use of data, or other substantiated circumstances that render continued reliance on the article inappropriate. A signed statement from the author must be submitted before the article can be withdrawn. The consent of all authors is required before a retraction can be published. The retraction notification will be published, and a link to the original article will be clearly marked as canceled. Additionally, the notification will include the reasons for the retraction and the individuals who initiated it. The original article will remain in the published journal issue but will be identified as a retracted article. Retractions will also be listed on the content page.

Expressions of Concern

An expression of concern may be issued when a serious issue remains unresolved, alerting readers while an investigation continues. The notice should explain the nature of the concern without presenting unverified allegations as established findings. It should be updated when sufficient evidence supports a final decision.

Withdrawal Before Formal Publication

Withdrawal applies to manuscripts that have not yet been formally published. Authors who wish to withdraw must contact the editorial office, identify the submission, explain the reason for withdrawal, and confirm the agreement of all co-authors. Once an article has been formally published, corrections or retractions must be used as appropriate. Requests to withdraw a manuscript do not prevent examination of substantiated ethical concerns.

Investigation and Decision

The editorial office must document the concern, examine available evidence, and seek clarification from relevant parties. An editor without a relevant conflict of interest must oversee the assessment. Independent experts or institutions may be consulted when necessary. The Editor-in-Chief, or an independently designated editor in cases where the Editor-in-Chief has a conflict, is responsible for the editorial decision.

Publication of Notices

A correction, retraction, or expression of concern notice must identify the affected article, state the action taken, explain the reason for it, identify the party issuing the notice, and be dated and publicly accessible. It should be linked to the article and reflected in relevant publication metadata. When necessary, the article's PDF and DOI metadata must be updated to show the article’s status. Retracted articles must remain identifiable and clearly marked. Published articles must not be silently replaced, deleted, or altered to conceal errors or misconduct.