Characterizing the effect of retractions on publishing careers

Bibliographic Data

ID4697008
AuthorsShahan Ali Memon (0000-0002-1152-0867, New York University Abu Dhabi), K Makovi (0000-0002-4849-0606, New York University Abu Dhabi, corresponding author), Bedoor Alshebli (0000-0003-1775-5162, New York University Abu Dhabi, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume9
Issue6
Pages1134-1146
Publication date2025-04-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNature Human Behaviour (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2397-3374 • E-ISSN: 2397-3374
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1038/s41562-025-02154-0
PMID40217002
OpenAlexW4409370930
LanguageEN
References cited45

Retracting academic papers is a fundamental tool of quality control, but it may have far-reaching consequences for retracted authors and their careers. Previous studies have highlighted the adverse effects of retractions on citation counts and the citations of co-authors; however, the broader impacts beyond these have not been fully explored. Here we address this gap by leveraging Retraction Watch, the most extensive dataset on retractions and link it to Microsoft Academic Graph and Altmetric. Retracted authors, particularly those with less experience, often leave scientific publishing in the aftermath of a retraction, especially if their retractions attract widespread attention. However, retracted authors who remain active in publishing maintain and establish more collaborations compared with their similar non-retracted counterparts. Nevertheless, retracted authors generally retain less senior and less productive co-authors, but gain more impactful co-authors post-retraction. Our findings suggest that retractions may impose a disproportionate impact on early career authors

Political science · Publishing · Academic integrity and plagiarism · Academic Publishing and Open Access · Law · Psychology · scientometrics and bibliometrics research

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