1. Purpose

This policy governs post-publication corrections, editorial notes, expressions of concern, retractions, removals, republications and investigations after publication.

2. Protection of the Version of Record

Ho Chi Minh City Open University Journal of Science (HCMCOUJS) recognizes the published Version of Record as the official scholarly record.

Post-publication actions must be transparent, proportionate and linked to the original article.

3. Correction

A correction may be issued when an article contains errors that do not invalidate the main findings.

Examples:

• minor data errors;
• author affiliation errors;
• funding statement errors;
• figure/table labeling errors;
• non-substantive factual errors.

4. Erratum

Erratum may be issued when the error was introduced by the journal during production or publication.

5. Corrigendum

Corrigendum may be issued when the error originated from the authors.

6. Editorial Note

An editorial note may be used to clarify context, update metadata, explain editorial handling, or alert readers to a matter that does not yet require correction, expression of concern or retraction.

7. Expression of Concern

An expression of concern may be issued when serious concerns exist but the investigation is incomplete or inconclusive.

Grounds may include:

• suspected fabricated data;
• unresolved authorship dispute;
• suspected unethical research;
• institutional investigation pending;
• suspected peer review manipulation;
• serious image or data concerns.

8. Retraction

A retraction may be issued when the findings are unreliable or the article involves serious misconduct.

Grounds include:

• fabricated or falsified data;
• plagiarism;
• duplicate publication;
• unethical research;
• manipulated peer review;
• serious authorship misconduct;
• paper mill involvement;
• major undisclosed conflicts of interest;
• AI-generated fraudulent content.

9. Removal

Removal is exceptional and may occur only when required by law, court order, serious privacy risk, defamation risk, public safety risk or other compelling legal reason.

10. Republication

Republication may occur when correction is insufficient and a corrected version must replace a flawed version while maintaining transparency.

11. Post-publication Investigations

HCMCOUJS may open or reopen an investigation when credible concerns arise from:

• readers;
• authors;
• reviewers;
• editors;
• institutions;
• indexing databases;
• funders;
• whistleblowers;
• research integrity platforms.

The current HCMCOUJS ethics draft already includes a post-publication action framework covering correction, erratum, corrigendum, editorial note, expression of concern and retraction.

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Policy Information

Item	Content
Policy Owner	HCMCOUJS Editorial Council
Approved by	Editor-in-Chief and HCMCOUJS Editorial Council
Version	3.0
Effective Date	May 2026
Review Cycle	Annual