Post-Publication Discussion and Retraction Policy

Post-Publication Discussion and Retraction Policy

"The Shield - Research Journal of Physical Education & Sports Science" is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in sports sciences research. This policy is aligned with the journal's commitment to strict adherence to the guidelines and flowcharts set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure transparency, accountability, and scholarly dialogue.

  1. Post-Publication Discussions

We encourage constructive discourse and open dialogue on published articles to advance knowledge in physical education, sports performance, and related fields.

  • Submitting Comments: Stakeholders, including coaches, researchers, and practitioners, may submit comments or critiques via email to the Editorial Office at [email protected].
  • Author Engagement: Authors are expected to engage constructively by responding to critiques (e.g., addressing methodological critiques of studies on athlete hydration strategies or ethical considerations in sports psychology interventions).
  1. Corrections and Errata

The journal distinguishes between minor errors requiring an Erratum and major issues that may require a Retraction.

Author Responsibilities

Authors have an ethical obligation to promptly notify the editorial office of any errors found in their published work (e.g., miscalculations in training load data, mislabeled graphs in biomechanical analyses).

  • Request Submission: Authors must submit a written request via email detailing:
    • A clear description of the error and its impact on the results or conclusion.
    • Corrected data/files (e.g., revised tables on sprint performance metrics).

Editorial Review and Action

  • Assessment: Corrections are assessed by the Editorial Board and relevant subject-matter experts (e.g., sports physiologists, statisticians).
  • Minor Errors (Errata): Corrected typographical errors, miscalculations, or minor methodological ambiguities are published as a linked Erratum (e.g., corrected $p$-values in a study on injury prevention).
  • Major Errors: Errors that fundamentally invalidate the conclusion of the research must follow the Retraction Policy.
  1. Retraction Policy

Retraction is reserved for severe breaches of publication ethics or major findings of error that negate the validity of the work. The journal strictly follows COPE’s Retraction Guidelines.

Grounds for Retraction

  • Data Integrity Issues: Proven fabrication or falsification of results (e.g., fabricated results in doping prevention research).
  • Plagiarism: Copying significant portions of text, data, or figures from other sources without attribution (e.g., copied text in sports management studies).
  • Unethical Research: Research conducted without required ethical approvals or in violation of ethical standards (e.g., unapproved protocols in studies involving minors or animal subjects).
  • Duplicate Publication: Redundant submission or publication of a sports nutrition study.

Retraction Process and Outcome

  • Investigation: The investigation is led by the Editor-in-Chief, with input from the Editorial Board and independent ethics experts. Authors are required to fully cooperate (e.g., by providing raw data for verification).
  • Retraction Notice: If a retraction is necessary, a Retraction Notice will be published, clearly marked on the article PDF and the journal website (e.g., "RETRACTED: Impact of Altitude Training on Cyclists").
  • DOI Retention: The original article remains accessible on the journal website but is watermarked as RETRACTED. The DOI is retained to maintain the scholarly record and ensure transparency.

For corrections, retractions, or post-publication discussions, contact:

Editorial Office

The Shield - Research Journal of Physical Education & Sports Sciences

Email: [email protected]