Impact of Publication Retractions on Researcher and Journal Metrics: A Call for New Evaluation Formulas

The integrity of scientific research is crucial for advancing knowledge, and the retraction of articles has emerged as a vital mechanism for upholding this integrity. However, the implications of retracted articles on researcher evaluationsparticularly concerning academic scores, H-index calculations, and journal impact factors-remain contentious. This commentary offers a comprehensive overview of how article retractions should be assessed concerning researcher and journal metrics. By synthesizing existing literature, the researcher highlighted the need for improved research evaluation practices and proposed recommendations to mitigate the adverse effects of retractions on these metrics. In addition, the researcher emphasizes the importance of transparency, contextual evaluation, and institutional policies to ensure fair academic assessments. Additionally, the present commentary discusses the underlying causes of retractions, their frequency, and the potential consequences for researchers whose work has been retracted. Finally, the researcher invited mathematicians, statisticians, ethicists, and researchers from various disciplines to develop new formulas and metrics considering retractions' consequences.