Guidelines for Withdrawing or Retracting an IEEE Publication

Given the strict standards and ethical considerations of publishing in the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), it is crucial for authors to understand the procedures for withdrawing or retracting a paper. This guide will outline the necessary steps and considerations that authors should undertake when faced with the decision to retract or withdraw an IEEE publication.

Why Would an Author Need to Withdraw or Retract an IEEE Paper?

There are several valid reasons why an author might choose to withdraw or retract a paper from IEEE:

Concerns about data integrity or authorship accuracy.

Unpublished or unreviewed material is discovered in the submission.

The paper may be found to contain plagiarized or duplicate content.

Newly discovered errors or inaccuracies in the paper.

A new approach or result renders the paper obsolete or incorrect.

What Should an Author Do?

When considering withdrawing or retracting a paper from IEEE, the first step is to determine whether the situation requires a retraction or withdrawal. Both processes involve written communication to the appropriate editorial staff, but they serve different purposes.

Withdrawing a Paper

A paper can be withdrawn due to concerns that the publication process was flawed or that the paper does not meet the requirements for publication. The steps for withdrawing a paper are as follows:

Contact the Chief Editor of the specific IEEE journal where the paper was published with a formal letter detailing the reasons for the withdrawal.

Provide any necessary documentation or evidence to support the proposed withdrawal.

Wait for a response from the Chief Editor, who will evaluate the request and make an informed decision.

If the withdrawal is approved, the Chief Editor will issue a legal and permanent record of the withdrawal in the IEEE Xplore database and other appropriate venues.

Retracting a Paper

A paper may be retracted when it is found to contain significant errors, inaccuracies, or fraudulent content. Retraction follows a similar process to withdrawal but is more formal. The steps for retracting a paper are as follows:

Submit a formal request for retraction to the Chief Editor, followed by detailed reasons for the retraction.

Attach all relevant evidence or documentation supporting the retraction request.

The Chief Editor will review and discuss the case with relevant stakeholders, including the editorial board, if necessary.

Upon approval, the retraction will be published in a prominent and searchable location, such as the journal's website, the IEEE Xplore database, and other relevant databases.

The retraction will include a clear statement indicating what errors or issues were found and why the retraction is necessary.

Contacting the Chief Editor

When writing to the Chief Editor, it is important to be clear, concise, and professional. Provide all necessary details and documentation in your letter. Make sure to:

State your full name, affiliation, and contact information.

Specify the paper's title, publication date, and volume number.

Detail the reasons for the retraction or withdrawal, with supporting evidence or documentation if applicable.

Express your willingness to cooperate with any further investigation or communication.

Include a proposed text for the retraction or withdrawal, if applicable.

Conclusion

Withdrawing or retracting a paper from IEEE is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. It is important to follow the established procedures and ensure transparency and integrity in the research community. By understanding the guidelines and procedures, authors can ensure that they are acting in the best interests of the research community and upholding the highest standards of ethical publishing.