The Netherlands Journal of Critical Care (Neth. J. Crit. Care) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the published scholarly record. The journal recognizes that errors or ethical concerns may occasionally be identified after publication and has established procedures for handling corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions in accordance with recognized publication-ethics principles, including relevant COPE and ICMJE guidance.

1. Corrections

The journal may publish a correction when an error in a published article affects the accuracy, clarity, or completeness of the publication but does not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions.

Corrections may relate to:

• Author names or affiliations
• Factual or typographical errors
• Figures or tables
• References or citations
• Funding information
• Conflict of interest disclosures
• Ethical statements
• Other substantive errors that require correction

A correction will clearly identify the affected article and describe the nature of the correction. Where appropriate, the corrected article and correction notice will be electronically linked to maintain a transparent publication record.

2. Author-Initiated Corrections

Authors should promptly notify the editorial office if they discover a significant error in their published article.

Requests for correction should clearly describe:

• The error identified
• The location of the error
• The proposed correction
• Whether the error affects the interpretation, results, or conclusions of the article

The editorial team will assess the request and determine the appropriate action.

3. Editorial Corrections

The journal may initiate a correction when an error is identified by editors, reviewers, readers, authors, or other reliable sources.

The journal may request supporting information before making a correction to ensure that the published record is accurate.

4. Retractions

A published article may be retracted when there is substantial evidence that its findings are unreliable or that serious ethical or publication-related problems compromise the integrity of the scholarly record.

Possible reasons for retraction include:

• Fabrication or falsification of data
• Serious research misconduct
• Major plagiarism
• Duplicate or redundant publication
• Unethical research involving human participants or animals
• Lack of required ethical approval
• Serious breach of informed consent or confidentiality
• Significant undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the work
• Major errors that invalidate the findings or conclusions
• Fraudulent or manipulated peer-review processes
• Other circumstances that substantially undermine the reliability or integrity of the published article

5. Retraction Notices

When an article is retracted, the journal will publish a clear Retraction Notice explaining the reason for the retraction where appropriate.

The notice will be linked to the original article and will identify the article as retracted. The journal aims to preserve the original publication record while ensuring that readers are clearly informed of its retracted status.

6. Expression of Concern

Where serious concerns exist but the investigation has not yet reached a definitive conclusion, the journal may publish an Expression of Concern.

An Expression of Concern alerts readers to significant questions regarding an article while an appropriate investigation is ongoing.

The notice may subsequently be followed by a correction, retraction, or other appropriate editorial action once sufficient information becomes available.

7. Investigation of Concerns

When potential problems are identified in a published article, the journal may request explanations or supporting documentation from the authors.

Where necessary, the journal may contact the authors' institution, research organization, ethics committee, funder, or other appropriate authority and may follow relevant COPE flowcharts and guidance when determining the appropriate course of action.

8. Retraction Does Not Erase the Scholarly Record

Retraction is intended to correct the scholarly record rather than conceal the history of a publication.

The journal will retain appropriate bibliographic and publication information and clearly indicate the retracted status of the article. Retraction notices should provide sufficient information to explain why the article has been retracted.

9. Corrections to Author Information

Minor administrative or author-information errors may be corrected where appropriate. Changes to authorship after publication will require appropriate justification and evidence of agreement from the relevant authors, and may require institutional involvement where an authorship dispute exists.

10. Editorial Independence

Decisions concerning corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions are made independently of commercial interests, advertising, sponsorship, or other external influence.

The journal's primary consideration is the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

11. Appeals

Authors may contact the editorial office if they believe a correction or retraction decision was made in error. Appeals should provide clear and substantive grounds for reconsideration and may be reviewed by the editorial team or an appropriate independent expert where necessary.

12. Commitment to the Integrity of the Scholarly Record

The Netherlands Journal of Critical Care is committed to correcting the scientific record whenever credible evidence demonstrates that published content requires correction or retraction.

The journal will handle corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions fairly, transparently, and consistently with recognized publication-ethics principles and applicable COPE and ICMJE guidance.

Contact:
Email: editor@njcconline.com