Reasons for Retraction

The COPE retraction guidelines explain in detail when to issue a retraction: Journal editors should consider retracting a publication in the following cases: If there is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of misconduct (e.g. data fabrication) or honest error (e.g. miscalculation or experimental error) If the findings have previously been published elsewhere without cross-referencing, permission, or justification (i.e. cases of redundant publication) If the paper contains plagiarized content If the article reports unethical research As per these instructions, the article should ideally be retracted since it contains plagiarized content.  However, the same guidelines also make the following observation about the purpose of retraction: Retractions are also used to alert readers to cases of redundant publication (i.e. when authors present the same data in several publications), plagiarism, and failure to disclose a major competing interest likely to influence interpretations or recommendations. The main purpose of retractions is to correct the literature and ensure its integrity rather than to punish authors who misbehave. In this case, the study results are reliable and authentic and there is no duplication of data. Therefore, the journal editors should carefully evaluate whether the article should be allowed to be corrected and republished in the interests of science...