Same taxonomy but different implications: a call for further improvement in the lexicon and transparency among post-publication correction mechanisms

Abstract

Briefly, post-publication mechanisms are resources that the academic community has to identify intentional and unintentional mistakes of a given published manuscript and claim for positive attitudes of the responsible party7. The process is not superficial and whenever editors, publishers or authors are flagged because of a potential mistake, an internal process of investigation starts with an ultimate decision that varies according to the severity of the issue. Among the available mechanisms, the retraction is perhaps its most widespread (and emphatic) one. Here we discuss the role of taxonomy on retractions among different repercussion for stakeholders as well as the problem of the uninformative notes of retractions.