Form letter A1: To author
Form letter A1: To author regarding a published article
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This form letter is used in the following decision trees:
Form letter A1: To author regarding a published article
[date]
[title of article, date of publication]
Dear [author],
Concern has been raised about the publication of the article listed above, for which you are the corresponding author. As the editor of the journal, I must take seriously any allegation raised that if true would violate the journal's policies (set out in our ethical statements, instructions to the author, and the like).
[The substance of the complaint is that {description}, which if true, would violate our publishing policies.]
OR
[Attached you will find a copy of the communication which raises the concern noted.]
Please provide me a prompt and full response within 30 days, which I will also [discuss/share] with the party raising this concern.
Depending on the nature of your response, I should also inform you that I [may OR also] consider it necessary to inform and involve the research institution at which the underlying research took place [or is alleged to have taken place], and [possibly] the funding agency that supported the research [or that allegedly supported the research].
Please note that if we do not have an adequate and timely response, we may be forced to conclude that the allegations are truthful.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
[editor name]
[editor-in-chief]