Major science publisher retracts over 500 papers

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One of the world’s largest open access journal publishers has retracted over 500 articles based on its findings of unethical conduct.

London-based Hindawi publishes more than 200 peer-reviewed journals across multiple disciplines, and its research team identified “irregularities” in the peer-review process at some journals in June. said he did.

“All Hindawi journals employ a series of substantial completeness checks before articles are accepted for publication. It was found to be the result of questionable unethical activity, and since identifying this unethical activity and process violation, we have proactively started adding further checks, improving our processes, and Keeps it going. September 28 statement.

As a result of the investigation, 511 articles will be retracted.

All articles were published after August 2020.

Sixteen journals published retracted papers.

Some of the authors and editors who contributed to the article may have “unwittingly participated” in unethical schemes, Ferguson said. She said the scheme includes “the operation of the peer review process and the infrastructure that supports it.”

Richard Bennett, Hindawi’s Vice President of Research and Publishing Services, said: retraction watch The blog said the review revealed a “coordinated peer review ring” featuring peer reviewers and editors who coordinate to obtain papers through peer review.

Neither Ferguson nor Bennett identified a suspect.

Bennett said the investigation began after editors flagged some questionable papers. He also said individuals identified as “violated” by the review would be banned from the Hindawi journal. Others were described as “potentially compromised” .

“These efforts, and the individuals participating in them, hinder scientific discovery, affect the effectiveness of academic research, and are unacceptable,” Ferguson said. The company is in contact with other publishers and industry groups, she said.

Further retractions are expected as the investigation progresses.

Hindawi journals include Advances in Agriculture, Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, and Journal of Nanotechnology.

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