Updating Published Articles
Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) Journals assume the responsibility of rectifying any substantial scientific errors or ethical concerns that emerge in published scholarly articles, in dedication to maintaining transparency with researchers and readers alike. To this end, UQU Journals have established clear guidelines for updating published articles.
Direct Updates
A direct update refers to making immediate amendments to a published article under specific circumstances detailed in the Corrections Guide of Umm Al-Qura University Journals. If the Editorial Board deems the request justified, the manuscript is revised and republished on the journal’s website. Relevant indexing databases are subsequently notified to update their archived records accordingly.
Corrections Policy
UQU Journals classify corrections into two distinct categories: Minor and Major.
Minor Corrections: These encompass amendments that do not affect the scientific validity of the research, yet necessitate an update to the Version of Record (VoR). Such amendments are directly incorporated into the PDF version without issuing a separate correction notice.
Major Corrections: These pertain to errors or issues that directly influence the interpretation of results or the core scientific content of the paper. Upon editorial approval, the revised version is published on the journal’s website alongside a formal Correction Notice in the current issue, thereby notifying readers of the substantial amendments and providing an updated version for reference.
For further details, please refer to the Corrections Guide of Umm Al-Qura University Journals.
Author Name Change Policy
Umm Al-Qura University Journals do not entertain any requests to amend author names post-publication.
Retraction Policy
In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to retract an article from the scholarly record. This occurs in the event of pervasive unintentional errors, severe ethical breaches, fabricated data, instances of plagiarism, or other factors that compromise the integrity of the scientific content.
Umm Al-Qura University Journals adhere to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Guidelines regarding this procedure.
Once a retraction decision is reached, the original paper is watermarked with the label “RETRACTED”; however, it remains accessible on the journal’s website for archival and reference purposes. Due to their invalidity, retracted papers should not be cited or relied upon for subsequent scientific research. Retracted articles retain the authors’ names and institutional affiliations to preserve traceability across indexing databases. A formal Retraction Notice is published in the journal’s current issue. Partial retractions may also be issued if only specific findings are found to be flawed.
An article is entirely removed from the journal's website or indexing databases only under rare and critical circumstances, such as:
The issuance of a formal injunction by a judicial or governmental authority ordering the removal of the content.
The presence of content that violates privacy or statutory legal rights, where such infringements cannot be remedied via editorial notices.
The existence of legal liabilities arising from the execution or publication of the research.
The paper containing content that, even if retracted, poses a direct threat to public safety.
In such instances, a removal notice specifying the rationale will be published, while the metadata—including the title and author names—remains accessible.
Editorial Board members are kindly requested to download and utilize the “Article Retraction Form” when initiating or processing retraction proceedings, in accordance with the journal’s corrections and retraction policy.
Editorial Notes and Editorial Expressions of Concern
Editorial Note: An Editorial Note is issued as a concise announcement to inform readers that the journal has initiated an editorial follow-up regarding a published paper, following the receipt of remarks or inquiries that warrant verification. This note appears exclusively on the HTML version of the article and is not deposited into indexing databases.
Editorial Expression of Concern: Where complex or unresolved matters arise, or if investigations into research misconduct remain ongoing or inconclusive, the journal or the responsible editor may issue an Editorial Expression of Concern. This statement offers a succinct overview of the nature of the concerns alongside an account of the current or scheduled actions being taken, thereby fostering institutional transparency throughout the investigation period.
Comments and Replies
Should the journal receive reader feedback concerning the findings or methodology of a published paper, the reader may contact the Editorial Board to submit a formal Comment for potential publication. Comments are brief scholarly communications intended to formally critique specific aspects of a paper.
Following peer review and approval of the Comment, the author of the original article is afforded the opportunity to submit a scholarly Reply addressing the critiques raised. If the issues raised are verified and the author fails to provide a substantiated rebuttal, the journal may issue a formal correction or retract the article. Should the author fail to reply within the designated timeframe or decline to respond, the Comment may be published alongside an editorial note indicating the lack of response.
Both Comments and Replies are subject to rigorous peer review and must adhere to the following standards:
Comments must exclusively address fundamental scientific aspects of the original paper without introducing tangential new research.
Replies must directly and unequivocally address the issues raised without evasion.
Both parties must maintain an objective, professional academic tone appropriate for scholarly discourse.
Comments must not contain personal attacks on the authors or rehash previously published disputes. Only one exchange cycle of a Comment and its corresponding Reply is permitted between the same parties to ensure targeted, rigorous academic debate.
Reporting Concerns Regarding Published Articles
Umm Al-Qura University Journals are committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics in collaboration with authors and Editorial Board members, grounded in the established principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
All submitted articles are strictly required to adhere to these standards. Should any infringement be established, the journal undertakes the responsibility of conducting a formal inquiry and implementing all necessary measures to safeguard the credibility and preserve the integrity of the published scholarly record.
To report concerns regarding a published article, please download the “Inquiry and Reporting Form for Published Articles,” complete it thoroughly, and submit it to the Editorial Board via email at: dsrsj@uqu.edu.sa
Article Retraction Procedures
Umm Al-Qura University Journals implement a formal procedure for retracting published articles, strictly aligned with COPE guidelines and internal journal policies. Retraction proceedings are exclusively initiated upon established and substantiated grounds, such as fundamental errors, ethical breaches, or publication misconduct.
1. Initiation of Retraction
A retraction may be initiated by any of the following parties:
The author(s) of the paper.
An Editorial Board member or the collective Editorial Board.
The publishing entity, upon identifying substantial integrity concerns in the paper.
The request must be formally submitted, accompanied by comprehensive justifications and supporting documentation where available.
2. Submission of the Retraction Form
The initiating party must download, complete, and submit the “Article Retraction Form” via email to: dsrsj@uqu.edu.sa
Editorial Board members may also utilize this form to officially request or advance retraction procedures.
3. Editorial Board Evaluation
The Editor-in-Chief, in coordination with designated Editorial Board members (and involving external peer reviewers or institutional bodies where warranted), shall oversee the following:
Reviewing the submitted justifications.
Verifying the supporting evidence.
Determining whether the case warrants a correction or a full retraction.
In cases involving potential research ethics breaches, the journal reserves the right to contact the authors' affiliated institution or an independent investigating committee.
4. Editorial Decision and Author Notification
Upon reaching a formal decision to retract, the corresponding author is officially notified of the outcome.
5. Publication of the Retraction Notice
A formal Retraction Notice is published in the journal, articulating:
The title of the retracted article.
The rationale for the retraction.
The entity that initiated the retraction request.
A direct link to the original article, watermarked with the designation “RETRACTED”.
This notice is made freely available to readers under open access and is indexed alongside the original publication record.
6. Post-Retraction Archiving
The retracted article remains part of the scholarly record and is prominently marked with the watermarked label “RETRACTED” across all available formats (HTML, PDF, and metadata), thereby ensuring comprehensive academic transparency and institutional accountability.