Post-Publication Discussion

The journal encourages constructive, evidence-based discussion of articles that have been published. Post-publication discussion provides an opportunity for readers, researchers, and practitioners to raise scholarly questions, clarify findings, present alternative interpretations, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

All post-publication discussions must relate directly to an article published in the journal and provide a meaningful scholarly contribution. Submissions must be objective, respectful, supported by relevant evidence, and consistent with the journal’s publication ethics policies.

Forms of Discussion

Post-publication discussion may take the following forms:

  • Letter to the Editor: A scholarly communication that comments on, questions, or discusses a previously published article.
  • Reply to the Letter to the Editor: A response from the original author(s) addressing the issues raised in the Letter.

Letters and Replies are treated as scholarly communications and are not classified as Research Articles or Review Articles.

Submission and Editorial Assessment

Authors wishing to submit a Letter to the Editor should identify the published article concerned, clearly explain the issues raised, provide supporting evidence and relevant references, and disclose any competing interests and relevant funding.

The Editor will assess submissions for scholarly relevance, accuracy, originality, clarity, and compliance with publication ethics. Additional expert review may be sought when necessary. The journal may request revisions or decline submissions that are unsupported, irrelevant, defamatory, or inconsistent with its editorial policies.

Opportunity for Author Reply

The authors of the original article will normally be invited to respond to a Letter considered suitable for publication. Replies must address the issues raised objectively and provide appropriate evidence or clarification.

The publication of a Letter does not depend on the original authors agreeing with its arguments or submitting a Reply. Where the original authors decline to respond or do not respond within the period provided, the journal may publish the Letter with an appropriate editorial statement.

Errors and Research Misconduct

Concerns about errors, questionable data, or possible research and publication misconduct identified through post-publication discussion will be assessed in accordance with the journal’s relevant ethical policies.

Depending on the findings, the journal may issue a correction, an Expression of Concern, a retraction, or take other appropriate editorial action. Formal corrections and retractions will be handled separately from the Letter or Reply to preserve the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

Publication and Ethical Standards

Accepted Letters and Replies will be published as separately identified scholarly communications and linked to the original article where technically possible. They must comply with the journal’s policies on authorship, plagiarism, conflicts of interest, research ethics, copyright, and responsible use of generative AI.

All post-publication discussions will be handled fairly, transparently, and impartially. The final editorial decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor without a relevant conflict of interest, in accordance with the journal’s publication ethics policies and applicable COPE guidance.