PQ, guided by the principles of COPE (https://publicationethics.org), is committed to maintaining the integrity of the published scholarly record. When errors or misconduct are discovered, corrective measures are taken to inform readers accurately.

Corrections (Corrigenda and Errata)

Minor Errors: Errors that affect the accuracy of the article but do not substantially invalidate the conclusions will typically be addressed via the publication of a Correction (or Erratum). The author has an obligation to promptly notify the editor or publisher upon discovering a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work and cooperate in correcting the paper.

Authorship Changes: The addition, deletion, or rearrangement of authors post-submission requires formal submission of the Post-Submission Authorship Amendment Form (https://zenodo.org/records/17750189/files/Authorship_Change_Request_Form.docx?download=1) and explicit written approval from all authors and the journal editor. After acceptance, minor corrections in authorship (e.g., spelling) may be addressed. However, the addition, deletion, or rearrangement of authors post-acceptance or post-publication is only considered in exceptional circumstances and generally requires approval from all authors and the journal editor. Unauthorized changes may result in rejection or retraction.

Retractions

Substantial Errors or Misconduct: An article may be retracted on the rare occasion that the interpretation or conclusion of the article is substantially undermined due to major errors (which might include fraud, falsification, or fabrication of data). The editorial decision to retract is based on the reliability of the article.

Retraction Procedure: A Retraction Note is published online, which is bidirectionally linked to the original article. The original article remains online but is typically watermarked “Retracted article,” and the retraction note provides the reason for the action. In severe cases, particularly concerning confirmed misconduct, the author's institution may be informed. The journal follows COPE's retraction guidelines (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/retraction-guidelines).

Expressions of Concern

An Editorial Expression of Concern (EEoC) is a statement issued by the editors to alert readers to serious concerns affecting the integrity of a published paper, especially if a lengthy research integrity investigation is underway. EEoCs are published and indexed, and they often serve as an interim measure until the investigation is complete, possibly leading to a Correction or Retraction.

Removal of Content

In exceptional circumstances—such as if content is determined to be defamatory, infringes upon intellectual property or legal rights, or poses an immediate and serious risk to health—PQ reserves the right to temporarily or permanently remove the article from its online platforms.