Raising a concern
Concerns may relate to authorship, consent, data, images, duplicate publication, undisclosed interests, or the review process. The editorial office records the concern, retains the evidence, and assigns an editor without a relevant conflict. Anonymous concerns are considered on the evidence available.
Assessment and response
Editors request an explanation from the relevant authors, allow a reasonable response period, and assess the explanation against the evidence. Institutions or other journals may be contacted when appropriate. Decisions and correspondence are retained in the confidential editorial record. COPE guidance informs the response; no COPE membership is implied.
Outcome
Possible outcomes include no further action, a request for clarification, rejection, correction, an expression of concern, or retraction. The response should address the reliability of the record and explain the reasons without unnecessary disclosure of personal information.