Shaoxiong Brian Xu and Guangwei Hu in their paper published on September 4, 2025 in the journal Publications, published by MDPI,  developed the retraction-based review system through a purposive review of the literature and a detailed analysis of concepts related to retractions and sanctions for breaches of research integrity.

In cases where a co-authored publication is retracted, the review system must also assess the responsibility of individual co-authors. Six determinants, namely tardiness of the retraction, contamination of the literature, severity of the retraction reason(s), passivity of retraction, funding status of the retracted publication, and journal prestige of the retracted publication, collectively assess various aspects of the retracted publication and their impacts on the literature. Two other debarment determinants — hiding the retraction from an application and hiding the retraction from assessment — address the misuse of the retracted publication.

The main goal of the authors of the article was to spark a scholarly debate on the role of punitive measures in addressing research integrity issues, with a focus on the potential for research funders to drive a paradigm shift toward a more stringent approach to promoting research integrity. Authors view their proposal of a retraction-based review system as a bold and necessary step forward, particularly in light of China’s ongoing retraction crisis.

Source https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/13/3/41

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