Expressions of Concern

An Expression of Concern informs readers about a serious, well-founded issue affecting a published article that has not yet been resolved. It is not a finding of misconduct, and it does not mean that the article will automatically be retracted.

1. When a Notice May Be Issued
A notice may be issued when readers need to be warned, but the available evidence is not yet strong enough to support a clear correction or retraction. This may happen in the following situations:

• there are serious, unresolved questions about the data, the analysis, ethical conduct, or the integrity of the assessment;
• an investigation is under way and is likely to take a long time to conclude;
• an institutional examination has not been carried out, has been delayed, or has not responded adequately;
• the evidence is inconclusive, but it still provides a sound basis for alerting readers.

Receiving an allegation, or the existence of an investigation, does not automatically require a notice. The editor will weigh the seriousness of the concern, the strength of the evidence, and the consequences of leaving readers uninformed.

2. Content of the Notice
The notice identifies the article, its DOI, the authority issuing the notice, the date, and the specific concern that remains unresolved. It separates what is known from what is still being examined and, where appropriate, indicates which parts of the article are affected.

Where possible, the notice states whether an institutional examination has been requested or is ongoing. Confidential personal information and unsubstantiated accusations must not be disclosed unnecessarily.

Authors are normally invited to respond before the notice is issued, unless urgent circumstances require earlier action. The authors’ agreement is not required. The notice will be freely accessible and clearly linked to the article.

3. Follow-Up and Resolution
The journal reviews the notice when material new information becomes available, and it asks for progress updates where further examination is expected. If the necessary evidence cannot be obtained, the concern may remain unresolved, and its status will be explained.

Resolution may take the form of a correction, a retraction, or a further notice stating that the concern has not been substantiated or no longer applies. Earlier notices remain traceable and are linked to the resolution, so they do not simply disappear.