What Is an Expression of Concern?
Looking for the full method? Read the detailed guide: What Is Research Misconduct?.
An expression of concern is a notice published by a journal editor to alert readers that there are concerns about the reliability or integrity of a published article, when the matter is not yet resolved or an investigation is under way.
Example
Invented for teaching: An editor receives credible concerns about image duplication in a paper and the authors' institution begins an inquiry. The journal issues an expression of concern linked to the article until the outcome is known.
Common misunderstanding
An expression of concern does not mean that the paper is retracted or proved wrong; it is a warning that final conclusions are pending. It may later be followed by a correction, a retraction or a notice that the concern was resolved.
Learn more
See What Is Research Misconduct?
References and further reading
Related reading
This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.