Crossmark policy

Genesis Publishing Consortium Limited (GPCL) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and transparency in publishing. As part of this commitment, we have adopted the Crossmark tool, an initiative from CrossRef, which provides a consistent and reliable way for readers to identify the current status of a document and to access any supplementary materials, corrections, or retractions that may be associated with it.

The Crossmark button serves as a vital tool for ensuring that readers can trust the information they are accessing. It reflects the publisher’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record and enhancing the transparency of the publication process. This policy outlines the scope, implementation, and procedures related to the use of Crossmark across all our publications.

Purpose and scope

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of the Crossmark tool across all GPCL publications. By doing so, we aim to,

• Provide readers with a clear, consistent method to determine the current status of a published document.
• Ensure that any changes, corrections, or retractions are transparently and promptly communicated.
• Strengthen the credibility and reliability of the scholarly record.

This policy applies to all peer-reviewed content published by GPCL, including but not limited to,

• Research articles
• Review papers
• Editorials
• Conference proceedings
• Book chapters
• Any other scholarly content that undergoes peer review.

The Crossmark tool will be implemented across both digital and print versions of our publications, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Crossmark implementation

Adoption of Crossmark

GPCL has adopted Crossmark across its entire portfolio of publications. The Crossmark button will be displayed on the title page of each article’s online and PDF versions. By clicking on this button, readers will be able to access up-to-date information about the document, including any corrections, retractions, updates, or additional materials.

Integration with publication process

The integration of Crossmark into the publication process is critical to ensuring that it functions effectively. To achieve this,

• All published documents will be registered with Crossmark upon publication.
• The Crossmark metadata will be linked to the article’s DOI, ensuring that the status of the document can be updated as needed.
• Any changes to the document status will be reflected immediately through the Crossmark button.

Display and accessibility

The Crossmark button will be prominently displayed on,

• The landing page of each article on our website.
• The first page of the article in its PDF format.
• Any other digital formats of the article, including EPUB or HTML versions.

Policy on corrections, retractions, and updates

Corrections

Corrections are issued to address errors that do not compromise the overall validity of the research, such as typographical errors, minor factual inaccuracies, or updates to author affiliations. When a correction is necessary,

• A correction notice will be published and linked to the original article.
• The Crossmark button will be updated to reflect the presence of a correction.
• The correction notice will include the date, a brief description of the error, and the corrected text.

Retractions

Retractions are issued in cases where the research is found to be flawed or fraudulent, and the findings can no longer be trusted. Retractions may be initiated by the authors, editors, or an ethics committee. When a retraction is necessary,

• A retraction notice will be published and prominently linked to the original article.
• The Crossmark button will be updated to reflect the retracted status of the article.
• The retraction notice will include the reason for the retraction, who is issuing it, and any other relevant information.

Updates and version control

In some cases, it may be necessary to update a published article with new information or data. Updates may include the addition of supplementary materials, corrections to figures, or new interpretations of the data. When an update is necessary,

• An update notice will be published and linked to the original article.
• The Crossmark button will be updated to reflect the presence of an update.
• The update notice will include the date, a description of the new content, and how it relates to the original article.

All updates will be carefully documented to ensure that readers can easily distinguish between the original version and any subsequent versions or updates. The Crossmark record will include a version history, detailing all changes made to the document after publication.

Expression of concern

An expression of concern may be issued if there are unresolved issues with a published article that may affect its validity. This could include ongoing investigations into possible misconduct or concerns raised about the research. When an expression of concern is necessary,

• A notice will be published and linked to the original article.
• The Crossmark button will be updated to reflect the expression of concern.
• The notice will include a brief explanation of the concern and the steps being taken to address it.
• The expression of concern will remain in place until the issue is resolved, at which point a correction or retraction notice may be issued.

Ethical considerations

Commitment to transparency

GPCL is committed to maintaining transparency in all aspects of its publishing process. The use of Crossmark is an extension of this commitment, providing readers with a clear and reliable way to access information about the status of published documents.

Responsibility of authors and editors

Authors and editors play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. They are responsible for

• Promptly reporting any errors or concerns about published articles.
• Collaborating with GPCL to issue corrections, retractions, or updates as needed.
• Ensuring that all changes to published articles are clearly documented and communicated to readers.

Handling ethical misconduct

In cases of ethical misconduct, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or undisclosed conflicts of interest, GPCL will take swift action to investigate and address the issue. This may include issuing a retraction or correction, as well as notifying relevant authorities or institutions.

The Crossmark button will be updated to reflect any changes to the status of the article, ensuring that readers are fully informed about the issue.

Version control and documentation

Version history

To maintain transparency and provide readers with a clear record of any changes made to a document, GPCL will maintain a detailed version history for each published article. This history will be accessible through the Crossmark button and will include,

• The original publication date and version number.
• A list of any corrections, retractions, or updates, along with their dates and descriptions.
• Links to the notices associated with each change.
• This version history allows readers to track the evolution of the document and understand the context of any changes.

Archiving and accessibility

GPCL is committed to ensuring the long-term accessibility of its publications. All published documents and their associated Crossmark records will be archived in a secure, reliable repository. This ensures that the version history and status of each document are preserved for future reference.

Additional content and related materials

Supplementary materials

In addition to corrections and updates, the Crossmark button may also link to supplementary materials associated with the article. This could include datasets, additional figures, or multimedia content. These materials will be clearly labeled and accessible through the Crossmark button, providing readers with a richer understanding of the research.

Funding and disclosure information

Transparency in funding and disclosure is essential to maintaining the credibility of scholarly research. GPCL will provide links to information about the funding sources for each article, as well as any potential conflicts of interest disclosed by the authors. This information will be accessible through the Crossmark button, ensuring that readers are fully informed about the context of the research.

Policy review and updates

Regular review

This Crossmark policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains aligned with industry standards and the goals of GPCL. The review process will involve input from authors, editors, and other stakeholders to ensure that the policy continues to meet the needs of our readers and contributors.

Communication of changes

Any changes to this policy will be communicated to authors, editors, and readers through our website and Crossmark updates. We are committed to maintaining transparency in all aspects of our publishing process, and any updates to this policy will be clearly documented and accessible.