POST-PUBLICATION DISCUSSION POLICY

ZOOTEC Journal, published by the Faculty of Animal Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, Indonesia, is committed to maintaining the integrity, transparency, accuracy, and credibility of the scholarly record.

ZOOTEC recognizes that scientific discussion and critical evaluation should continue after publication. The journal encourages constructive academic debate, responsible scientific criticism, and evidence-based discussion of published research in animal sciences and related disciplines.

This policy follows the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) concerning post-publication discussions, corrections, and research integrity.

1. Purpose and Scope

The Post-Publication Discussion Policy aims to provide a transparent mechanism for addressing scientific comments, questions, criticisms, corrections, and concerns regarding articles published in ZOOTEC.

This policy applies to all published articles, including original research articles, review articles, and other scholarly contributions accepted by the journal.

Post-publication discussions may address scientific methodology, experimental design, statistical analysis, interpretation of findings, research ethics, animal welfare, data reliability, and other issues relevant to the scientific validity of published research.

2. Opportunities for Post-Publication Discussion

ZOOTEC encourages authors, readers, reviewers, researchers, and other members of the academic community to engage in constructive discussions concerning published articles.

Post-publication discussions may include:

  • Scientific Comments: Constructive observations, questions, or interpretations concerning published research.

  • Letters to the Editor: Formal scholarly correspondence addressing scientific findings, methodological issues, or interpretations presented in published articles.

  • Author Responses: Clarifications or responses provided by the original authors regarding scientific comments or concerns.

  • Methodological and Statistical Criticism: Evidence-based discussion of research design, experimental procedures, sampling methods, statistical analyses, or interpretation of results.

  • Research Ethics Concerns: Reports involving animal welfare, ethical clearance, conflicts of interest, data integrity, plagiarism, or other potential violations of publication ethics.

All discussions must be scientifically justified, professionally presented, and supported by relevant evidence where appropriate.

3. Submission of Post-Publication Comments

Individuals wishing to submit comments, questions, or concerns regarding published articles should contact the ZOOTEC Editorial Office through the journal's official communication channels.

Submissions should include:

  1. Title of the published article.

  2. Names of the original authors.

  3. Volume, issue, publication year, and DOI or article URL, where available.

  4. A clear explanation of the scientific comment, question, or concern.

  5. Relevant supporting evidence, references, or documentation.

  6. Name and contact information of the individual submitting the discussion.

Official Journal Website:

https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/v3/index.php/zootek

Official Contact Page:

https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/v3/index.php/zootek/about/contact

Email: ljmrumokoy@unsrat.ac.id

4. Editorial Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief or designated members of the Editorial Board will evaluate post-publication submissions based on scientific relevance, accuracy, objectivity, and compliance with publication ethics.

The editorial assessment may involve:

  • Reviewing the scientific validity of the submitted comments.

  • Examining supporting evidence and relevant documentation.

  • Consulting independent experts or reviewers when necessary.

  • Inviting the original authors to provide clarification or a formal response.

  • Determining whether the issue requires further investigation or editorial action.

Editors involved in a conflict of interest must not participate in decisions concerning the relevant discussion or complaint.

5. Author Responses and Scientific Dialogue

Authors of published articles may be invited to respond to post-publication comments, criticisms, or questions concerning their research.

Author responses should provide scientifically justified explanations, supporting evidence, or relevant clarifications.

ZOOTEC encourages respectful, constructive, and professional scientific dialogue between authors and readers.

The journal may publish appropriate scientific comments and author responses as separate scholarly contributions, subject to editorial assessment and applicable journal procedures.

The decision to publish post-publication correspondence rests with the Editorial Board.

6. Corrections and Clarifications

If a significant error or omission is identified after publication, ZOOTEC will evaluate whether a formal correction is necessary.

Corrections may be issued when errors affect the accuracy, clarity, or interpretation of a published article but do not invalidate its principal findings or conclusions.

Examples include:

  • Errors in numerical data or statistical reporting.

  • Incorrect figure or table information.

  • Mistakes in author information or affiliations.

  • Inaccurate descriptions of research procedures.

  • Other significant errors requiring clarification.

Where appropriate, correction notices will be published and clearly linked to the original article.

Minor typographical errors that do not affect scientific interpretation may be handled without a separate formal correction notice.

7. Expressions of Concern and Retractions

When substantial concerns arise regarding the reliability, integrity, or ethical validity of a published article, ZOOTEC may initiate further editorial assessment or investigation.

Potential concerns may include:

  • Fabrication or falsification of research data.

  • Plagiarism or substantial publication overlap.

  • Serious methodological errors affecting the reliability of conclusions.

  • Ethical violations involving animal welfare or human participants.

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest that materially affect the integrity of the work.

  • Other forms of research or publication misconduct.

An Expression of Concern may be published when serious concerns remain unresolved or an investigation is ongoing and readers need to be informed.

A Retraction may be issued when reliable evidence demonstrates that the findings are substantially unreliable or that serious violations of publication ethics have occurred.

Such actions will be conducted in accordance with the journal's Correction and Retraction Policy and relevant COPE guidelines.

8. Transparency and Public Accessibility

ZOOTEC is committed to ensuring that significant post-publication discussions and editorial actions are transparent and accessible.

When post-publication comments, author responses, corrections, expressions of concern, or retraction notices are formally published, they should:

  1. Clearly identify the original article.

  2. Provide sufficient bibliographic information.

  3. Explain the scientific issue or reason for the editorial action.

  4. Be accessible through the journal's official website.

  5. Be electronically linked to the original publication whenever technically feasible.

Published articles must not be silently altered in ways that obscure substantive corrections or other important changes to the scholarly record.

9. Professional Conduct and Confidentiality

All participants in post-publication discussions are expected to maintain professional conduct, academic integrity, and mutual respect.

ZOOTEC does not accept submissions containing personal attacks, defamatory statements, discriminatory language, abusive expressions, or unsupported allegations.

Confidential information and personal data must be protected throughout editorial assessments and investigations.

Individuals reporting legitimate concerns will be treated fairly, and their identities will be protected where appropriate and consistent with applicable procedures.

10. Editorial Decisions and Appeals

The Editorial Board reserves the right to determine the appropriate handling and publication of post-publication discussions.

Editorial decisions will be based on scientific evidence, publication ethics, fairness, and transparency.

Individuals who disagree with an editorial decision may submit a reasoned appeal through the journal's official contact channels.

Appeals will be considered in accordance with the journal's Complaints and Appeals Policy.

11. Policy Review

ZOOTEC will periodically review its Post-Publication Discussion Policy to ensure consistency with recognized standards of scholarly publishing, developments in research ethics, and relevant COPE recommendations.

The journal remains committed to supporting responsible scientific dialogue, correcting the scholarly record when necessary, and maintaining public confidence in published research.

ZOOTEC Journal encourages transparent, constructive, and evidence-based scientific discussions as an essential component of responsible scholarly communication and continuous scientific advancement.

References

  1. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Core Practices: Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections.

  2. COPE. Retraction Guidelines.

  3. COPE, DOAJ, OASPA, and WAME. Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.