The publisher of a journal has found a spelling mistake in a published manuscript (an abbreviation was explained incorrectly in the original published manuscript). Having in mind COPE's guidelines, "The term erratum usually refers to a production error, caused by the journal. The term corrigendum (or correction) usually refers to an author error", is a corrigendum the proper way to correct this mistake as the spelling mistake was not a production error?
Questions for COPE Council
- Is a a corrigendum the proper way to correct this mistake as the spelling mistake was not a production error?
- Before publication of the corrigendum, should the journal contact the authors to inform them that the corrigendum will be published?
- Should the corrigendum include the authors’ apologies for the error?
- What are the guidelines for the creation of a corrigendum and an erratum?
Advice on this case is from a small number of COPE Council Members. Most cases on the COPE website are presented to the COPE Forum where advice is offered by a wider group of COPE Members and COPE Council Members. Advice on individual cases is not formal COPE guidance.
The editor should go back to the original submission to determine if the error was present when the author submitted the manuscript or if it was introduced by the copyeditor/publisher.
Some journals do label corrections from authors for errors on their part as “Errata”, and these are generally written and submitted by the authors themselves. If the error was made by the journal or publisher, these might be described in "Publisher's Notes". However, many journals do not distinguish between corrigendum or erratum but the note can explain if it is the publisher’s or authors’ error.
However, it is essential that the author(s) are informed before such a correction is published. Ideally the authors would agree with the wording of the draft erratum/corrigendum, but that is not a requirement.
An apology by the authors is not needed.