Q: In my research article, can I cite a paper that has been retracted?

Citing retracted papers can affect your reputation as a researcher and compromise the integrity of your research. However, if your topic necessitates discussing retractions to support your argument, you may need to cite them. Here are the important guidelines for you to follow in such cases: 

• Ensure that the retracted paper is relevant to the discussion in your article (say you’re discussing general research on a topic, or you want to highlight gaps or flaws in prior “knowledge” based on faulty research). 

• In the text of your manuscript, clearly indicate that the cited paper has been retracted. 

• In the reference list, clearly indicate the retracted status of the cited paper(s). You can list a retracted paper as “Author AA, et al. RETRACTED: Title of article. Journal name [year], vol, pp” to inform readers of its retraction. The exact way to note the retraction varies based on the citation style (e.g., APA, MLA), but the basic convention is to note the retraction in parentheses as an additional part of the original reference.  

• Be sure to check and follow the guidelines provided by your target journal regarding the identification and treatment of retracted papers. 

Some papers are retracted due to honest errors, while others are retracted due to misconduct. Remember, the goal of citing a retracted paper should be to inform your readers, not to discredit or criticize the authors of the retracted paper.  

Read more about citing and not citing retractions here.