Post-Publication Discussion
The Economics and Business Journal (ECBIS) recognizes that scholarly communication continues after an article has been published. Post-publication discussion provides an opportunity for researchers, practitioners, and readers to examine published findings, clarify interpretations, identify limitations, and contribute to the ongoing development of knowledge in economics, business, management, and related disciplines.
ECBIS encourages constructive, evidence-based, and respectful academic discussion that supports transparency, research integrity, and the continuous improvement of the scholarly record.
1. Purpose and Scope
Post-publication discussion enables readers and researchers to raise substantive questions, offer alternative interpretations, identify methodological concerns, and discuss the theoretical or practical implications of articles published in ECBIS.
Eligible discussions may address:
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The validity, reliability, or interpretation of research findings.
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Theoretical contributions, conceptual frameworks, or analytical approaches.
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Research methods, data analysis, and the limitations of published studies.
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The relevance of published findings to economic policy, business practice, management, and related fields.
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Possible errors, inconsistencies, or omissions that may affect the interpretation or reliability of a published article.
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Opportunities for replication, further investigation, or future research.
Contributions should be relevant to the original publication and offer a meaningful scholarly contribution rather than merely express personal agreement or disagreement.
2. Submission of Post-Publication Comments
Readers who wish to comment on an article published in ECBIS may submit a written discussion to the journal's editorial office through the submission channel specified by the journal.
A post-publication contribution should include:
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The title, author names, and DOI or URL of the article being discussed, where available.
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The name, institutional affiliation, and contact information of the contributor.
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A clear explanation of the issue, argument, or observation being raised.
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Supporting evidence, references, data, or methodological reasoning where appropriate.
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A concise conclusion explaining the significance of the discussion for the original article or the wider research field.
Submissions should be written in professional academic English, remain focused on the relevant scholarly issue, and comply with applicable research ethics and publication standards.
3. Editorial Assessment
All post-publication contributions are subject to editorial assessment before publication. The editorial team will consider whether the submission is relevant, evidence-based, scientifically meaningful, and consistent with the journal's publication ethics policies.
The assessment may consider:
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The significance and clarity of the issues raised.
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The quality and adequacy of the supporting evidence.
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The fairness and accuracy of the discussion of the original article.
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The contribution to scholarly understanding or research integrity.
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Compliance with confidentiality, copyright, privacy, and ethical requirements.
ECBIS may reject contributions that are irrelevant, unsupported, defamatory, abusive, promotional, or otherwise inconsistent with responsible academic communication.
Where necessary, the journal may seek an independent expert assessment.
4. Opportunity for Authors to Respond
When a post-publication contribution raises substantive questions about a published article, ECBIS may invite the original authors to provide a response.
The original authors should be given a reasonable opportunity to address the concerns, clarify their methods or findings, provide additional evidence, or acknowledge limitations where appropriate.
Responses should be scholarly, factual, and respectful. Authors are encouraged to engage directly with the arguments presented rather than make personal remarks about the contributor.
The journal may publish the original discussion and the authors' response together or in separate publications, depending on the editorial assessment and the nature of the contributions.
An invitation to respond does not imply that misconduct has occurred or that the original article is necessarily unreliable.
5. Peer Review and Publication Decisions
Depending on the nature and complexity of the submission, ECBIS may publish a post-publication discussion following editorial assessment or subject it to external peer review.
The editorial team will determine the appropriate process based on the scholarly significance of the contribution, the need for specialist evaluation, and the potential implications for the published record.
Acceptance of a post-publication contribution does not automatically invalidate the original article. Likewise, publication of an author's response does not necessarily resolve every issue raised. Editorial decisions will be based on the available evidence and the requirements of scholarly integrity.
6. Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions
Post-publication discussion may identify errors or concerns that require formal editorial action. When credible concerns arise, ECBIS will assess them in accordance with its publication ethics and research misconduct policies.
Depending on the findings, the journal may:
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Publish a correction when an error can be addressed without undermining the overall reliability of the article.
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Publish an expression of concern when a significant issue remains unresolved and readers need to be informed.
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Retract an article when the reliability or integrity of its findings is seriously compromised.
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Publish an editorial clarification or related notice when necessary to maintain an accurate scholarly record.
These actions will be proportionate to the evidence and the seriousness of the concern. Post-publication comments alone will not be treated as proof of error or misconduct.
7. Ethical Standards for Contributors
All contributors to post-publication discussion must comply with the journal's standards of academic integrity and professional conduct.
Contributors must:
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Present arguments and evidence accurately and honestly.
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Cite relevant sources and acknowledge the work of others.
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Avoid plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and misleading representations of evidence.
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Disclose relevant conflicts of interest.
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Respect the privacy, confidentiality, and legitimate rights of others.
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Avoid personal attacks, harassment, discriminatory language, and unsupported allegations.
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Correct material errors in their own contributions when identified.
Concerns about possible research misconduct should be supported by relevant evidence and communicated through appropriate editorial channels.
8. Transparency and Permanent Scholarly Record
ECBIS aims to maintain transparency in post-publication communication. Where a discussion, response, correction, expression of concern, or retraction is published, the journal will seek to establish a clear connection with the original article.
Published contributions should include appropriate bibliographic information and persistent identifiers, such as a DOI, where available. Editorial notices will be linked to the affected article whenever technically and practically possible.
Post-publication contributions will be handled in accordance with the journal's applicable policies on access, licensing, confidentiality, and preservation of the scholarly record.
9. Confidentiality and Editorial Independence
The editorial team will handle submitted discussions and supporting materials with appropriate confidentiality during assessment and review.
Editorial decisions will be made independently of personal relationships, institutional pressure, commercial interests, or attempts to influence the journal improperly. Relevant conflicts of interest must be disclosed and managed in accordance with the ECBIS Conflict of Interest Policy.
10. Commitment to Constructive Scholarly Dialogue
ECBIS views post-publication discussion as an important mechanism for strengthening research quality, encouraging critical engagement, and improving the reliability of published scholarship.
The journal welcomes well-supported contributions that advance understanding, promote methodological transparency, and encourage responsible debate. Through fair editorial assessment and appropriate follow-up, ECBIS seeks to ensure that scholarly discussion remains constructive, evidence-based, and beneficial to the academic community.
