Qubahan EcoLead Journal (QELJ) is committed to maintaining the integrity, accuracy, transparency, and reliability of the scholarly record. The journal follows the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in addressing concerns about published research and determining when corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions are necessary.

1. Grounds for Retraction

A published article may be retracted when there is clear evidence that its findings or conclusions are unreliable due to research misconduct, serious methodological errors, or honest mistakes that substantially affect the validity of the work.

Retractions may be considered in the following circumstances:

• Data Fabrication or Falsification: Fabrication, manipulation, or misrepresentation of research data, survey findings, environmental measurements, statistical results, or analytical evidence.

• Plagiarism: Substantial unauthorized reproduction of another person's work, ideas, methods, or research findings without appropriate acknowledgment.

• Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Publication of substantially identical research findings in multiple journals without appropriate disclosure or justification.

• Unethical Research Practices: Serious violations of applicable research ethics, including the absence of required ethical approval, informed consent, or appropriate research permissions.

• Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized use of copyrighted text, figures, datasets, photographs, maps, or other protected materials.

• Major Methodological or Analytical Errors: Significant errors in research design, environmental assessments, sustainability evaluations, economic analyses, statistical calculations, or data interpretation that invalidate the research findings.

• Authorship and Publication Misconduct: Serious authorship misrepresentation, fraudulent attribution, or unresolved disputes involving evidence that compromises the integrity of the published article.

• Peer Review Manipulation: Evidence of fraudulent peer review, fabricated reviewer identities, or improper interference with the editorial decision-making process.

• Misrepresentation of Research Findings: Deliberate or substantially misleading reporting of environmental, ecological, sustainability, management, or interdisciplinary research outcomes.

2. Retraction Decision Process

Retraction decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board and relevant subject specialists when necessary, in accordance with COPE recommendations.

Before a final decision is made:

• The journal will conduct an appropriate investigation into the reported concerns.

• The corresponding author and, where appropriate, all co-authors will normally be contacted and given an opportunity to respond.

• Supporting evidence, original datasets, research documentation, methodological explanations, or other relevant materials may be requested.

• Relevant academic institutions, research organizations, or funding bodies may be contacted when independent investigation is required.

• The final decision will be based on the available evidence and the need to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

A retraction may proceed even if the authors disagree with the decision or fail to respond, provided that sufficient evidence supports the action.

3. Retraction Notice and Publication

When an article is retracted, QELJ will publish a formal retraction notice that:

• Clearly identifies the retracted article, including its title, authors, publication details, and DOI.

• Explains the reason or reasons for the retraction in a transparent and factual manner.

• Identifies who is retracting the article and, where appropriate, whether the authors agree with the retraction.

• Is published promptly following the final editorial decision.

• Remains permanently accessible as part of the scholarly record.

• Is electronically linked to the original article.

• Is made freely accessible without subscription or payment.

The original article will normally remain available on the journal's website to preserve the scholarly record but will be clearly marked "Retracted" on its pages and in its associated metadata.

The journal will update relevant indexing services and DOI metadata, where technically supported, to reflect the retraction status.

4. Corrections and Expressions of Concern

When errors do not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions of a published article, QELJ may issue a formal correction (Erratum or Corrigendum) rather than retracting the publication.

An Expression of Concern may be published when credible evidence raises serious questions about the integrity or reliability of an article but an investigation remains incomplete or the available evidence is inconclusive.

All corrections and expressions of concern will be clearly identified, permanently accessible, and electronically linked to the relevant published article.

5. Article Removal

Complete removal of a published article will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as legal requirements, serious privacy violations, risks to public safety, or other compelling reasons that cannot be adequately addressed through retraction.

Where possible, the journal will retain bibliographic information and publish a notice explaining the removal.

6. Compliance with Publication Ethics

Qubahan EcoLead Journal applies this policy consistently and fairly to all published articles, regardless of the authors' affiliations, academic positions, nationality, or funding sources.

The journal is committed to addressing publication integrity concerns promptly, transparently, and responsibly while maintaining the accuracy, accessibility, and permanence of the scholarly record.

This policy is based on the recommendations and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), including its guidance on retractions, corrections, and expressions of concern.