Top Reasons for Retractions in Scientific Publishing

Reason 

Description 

Cites Retracted Work 

When a retracted item is used in citations or references, leading to the propagation of unreliable information. 

Error in Data, Image, Analyses, Methods, Results, or Text 

Mistakes in data collection, image preparation, analysis, methodologies, results interpretation, or textual content [2] [3]. 

Ethical Violations by Author 

Actions by an author that contravene accepted ethical standards in research or publication [2]. 

Falsification/Fabrication of Data, Image, or Results 

Intentional manipulation of data, images, or results to misrepresent findings. 

Informed/Patient Consent – None/Withdrawn 

Failure to obtain or honor participant consent, or participants rescind their approval after learning more about risks or benefits. 

Lack of IRB/IACUC Approval 

Lack of approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for human/animal studies [4]. 

Legal Reasons/Legal Threats 

Actions or decisions influenced by the threat of litigation or ongoing legal disputes [2]. 

Misconduct – Official Investigation/Finding 

Proven misconduct identified through an official investigation by a governing institution, corporation, or government agency. 

Plagiarism of Article, Data, Image, or Text 

Unauthorized use of another’s work, including articles, data, images, or text, without proper citation or attribution. 

Results Not Reproducible 

The inability to replicate findings using the same methods and materials, casting doubt on the study’s validity [5]. 

Self-Plagiarism 

Republishing the same work or sections of it by the same authors without appropriate acknowledgment or citation. 

Unreliable Data, Image, or Results 

Questionable accuracy or validity of data, images, or results, undermining confidence in the findings [1]. 

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