Elicit Publishing is unwavering in its mission to uncover novel insights and transform latent knowledge into explicit, impactful contributions that drive academic and practical advancements. By adhering to the highest standards of scholarly quality, we aim to facilitate a seamless and efficient publication process. At the core of our ethos lies the commitment to maintaining the integrity, reliability, and transparency of our journals, ensuring they remain permanent, trustworthy repositories of scientific inquiry. This policy reflects our dedication to fostering rigorous academic discourse while addressing ethical, moral, and legal considerations. Once articles are published, their online archival records are rigorously safeguarded against unauthorized modifications or tampering to preserve their authenticity.

Below, we outline our comprehensive policies governing article withdrawal, retraction, correction, and related considerations:

Correction Notices

In the realm of academic dialogue, errors—though unintentional—may arise. Elicit Publishing recognizes the importance of preserving the authenticity of the published Version of Record while allowing necessary corrections that uphold the integrity of the scholarly work.

• Scope of Corrections: Corrections are introduced only when errors significantly affect the article’s accuracy or scholarly contribution, such as inaccuracies in formulas, equations, or data. Minor changes post-acceptance, such as updates to author names or affiliations, are generally not permitted unless these reflect verifiable circumstances existing at the time of research.

• Implementation Process: When a correction is required, a formal notice will be issued, clearly outlining the error and the corresponding correction. This ensures transparency and continuity in the academic record.

Article Withdrawal

Article withdrawal is a rare measure, undertaken only under well-defined conditions to maintain the credibility of scholarly communication:

• Pre-Publication Withdrawal: Articles that have been accepted but not yet formally published online may be withdrawn under exceptional circumstances.

• Duplicate Publication: Articles unintentionally duplicating previously published works may be withdrawn to avoid redundancy and uphold the originality of the academic discourse.

• Ethical Violations: Articles found to involve ethical breaches, such as multiple submissions, plagiarism, data fabrication, or false authorship claims, will be withdrawn. If already published, such articles will be retracted, with explicit reasons provided on the journal’s website to maintain transparency.

Article Retraction

Retractions are implemented to address serious concerns about the validity, reliability, or ethical foundation of a published article. Retractions are warranted under the following scenarios:

• Unreliable Findings: Evidence of scientific misconduct (e.g., data fabrication) or critical errors (e.g., analytical miscalculations) invalidates the findings.

• Redundant Publication: Content published elsewhere without appropriate referencing, permissions, or justification.

• Plagiarism: Instances where significant portions of content are plagiarized from other works.

• Unethical Research Practices: Research that violates established ethical guidelines or standards.

• Transparency in Retraction: Retraction notices will clearly state the reasons for retraction, ensuring accountability and maintaining the integrity of the journal.

Expression of Concern

In cases where uncertainties or unresolved issues arise, Elicit Publishing may issue an Expression of Concern to alert the academic community while investigations are underway:

• Inconclusive Evidence: When evidence of research misconduct is insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion.

• Institutional Inaction: When the authors’ institution fails to investigate or provide a resolution despite indications of unreliable findings.

• Ongoing Investigations: When investigations are incomplete, inconclusive, or potentially compromised by bias.

• Significant Delays: When misconduct cases face prolonged delays in resolution.

Expressions of Concern are issued judiciously, ensuring they neither prematurely judge nor overlook potential issues.

Correction post-retraction

• Partial Errors: When only a portion of an article is misleading due to an honest mistake, a correction may be issued while retaining the original publication.

• Retraction Marking: Retracted articles will feature a watermark clearly indicating their status, with the original PDF remaining accessible for transparency and archival purposes.

Article Removal and Legal Considerations

In the most exceptional cases, articles may be removed entirely. Such actions are taken with utmost caution and are reserved for scenarios where:

• Defamatory Content or Legal Breaches: The article’s content is defamatory or infringes upon legal rights.

• Court Orders: A legal mandate requires the removal of the article.

• Serious Health Risks: The article poses an imminent and substantial risk to public health or safety.

• Transparency in Removal: When an article is removed, a formal notice will explain the rationale, ensuring the action is transparent and understood by the academic community.

Commitment to Scholarly Integrity

Elicit Publishing remains steadfast in its dedication to advancing scholarly knowledge with transparency, accountability, and respect for ethical principles. By rigorously adhering to these policies, we ensure that our journals continue to serve as reliable platforms for groundbreaking research and meaningful academic discourse. These measures reflect our role as custodians of academic integrity, committed to preserving the trust of our authors, readers, and the broader research community.

Metadata Retention

At Elicit Publishing, we believe in transparency and accountability in scholarly communication. While the full text of an article may be replaced with a notice explaining the reasons for removal, the metadata (e.g., title and authors) will remain accessible. This ensures that the scholarly record remains intact and that researchers can continue to locate and reference the work appropriately.

Article Replacement

In the rare event that an article is found to pose a significant risk—such as a serious health concern—Elicit Publishing enables authors to retract the flawed version and submit a corrected version.

➢ A retraction notice will link directly to the corrected article, providing a clear publication history.
➢ This process upholds the integrity of the scholarly record while addressing critical issues responsibly.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

At Elicit Publishing, our mission is to democratize academic publishing by eliminating financial barriers for researchers worldwide. To this end, we proudly uphold a no-APC policy: authors do not incur any charges for submissions, peer reviews, or publications.

Why We Don’t Charge APC

Our goal is to facilitate the global exchange of impactful research while upholding academic integrity. By removing APCs, we aim to:

➢ Empower researchers from all academic and economic backgrounds.

➢ Ensure equitable access to publishing opportunities for scholars globally.

➢ Strengthen the academic community by prioritizing inclusivity and diversity in research dissemination.

What This Means for Authors

➢ No costs incurred at any stage of the publication process—from submission to final publication.

➢ Access to a rigorous peer review and editorial process, ensuring the highest publishing standards.

➢ Free access to all published articles, benefitting researchers, educators, and practitioners worldwide.

At Elicit Publishing, we are dedicated to creating a platform where knowledge transcends financial barriers. By choosing Elicit as your publishing partner, you join a community that values academic excellence, integrity, and inclusivity. Thank you for entrusting us with your work!