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Research into nicotine use by young Aussies and a study on an Eastern grey kangaroo pox virus have something in common.
Both papers were recently retracted – an uncommon but vital part of the research process.
WAIT … WHAT?
A retraction is when a published scientific paper is deemed flawed or unreliable.
This means the research is no longer cited – effectively removing it from the scientific bookshelf.
Caption: A retraction is when research is effectively removed from the scientific bookshelf.
Credit: Beatriz Pérez Moya via Unsplash
In Australia, around 400 scientific papers are retracted each year, most without fanfare. That’s more than one retracted paper every day.
But when a retraction hits the headlines, like a recent study on a popular exercise regime, it can prompt the public to question the science.
SOMETHING DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT …
Retractions typically fall under three categories: misconduct, error and publication issues.
Misconduct includes plagiarism, fabrication or ethical misconduct. A 2024 research paper was retracted after it was found to be AI-generated.
Error covers methodological concerns or honest mistakes. A 2014 study on cardiac rehabilitation among veterans was retracted because it contained errors that, once corrected, changed some of the findings.
Publication issues can involve a publisher error, compromised peer review or author issues. For example, a 2020 article on 5G and coronavirus was retracted due to “substantial manipulation of the peer review”.
Retractions are usually initiated by publishers or authors, but not all scientific mistakes need complete removal.
Caption: A retraction is science doing its job
Credit: National Cancer Institute via Unsplash
IT’S ALL WRONG! OR IS IT?
Partial retractions apply when only part of the research is flawed, and they help readers understand what’s still reliable.
Corrections can also be issued – often as a result of genuine mistakes such as a recent correction by Wiley addressing the mishandling of a conflict of interest during the peer-review process.
TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE
While a retraction might seem negative, it’s actually science doing its job.
Retractions are vital for informing readers of issues, correcting the record and maintaining trust in research.
Science does not deal in absolute proof. This is why retractions will continue to occur as researchers discover or disprove hypotheses.
After all, that’s the beauty of science.
