In the midst of a tumultuous year, the journal Concurrent Engineering: Research and Applications, a Sage title, is retracting 21 papers after an investigation identified signs of “compromised” peer review.
Clarivate delisted the journal from its Web of Science index in March for failing to meet editorial quality criteria. Founding editor Biren Prasad, who managed the journal since 1992, also retired earlier this year, and the publisher took over management of peer review.
The journal’s online presence also needs attention: Neither of the associate editors listed on its website have been involved for many years, both told Retraction Watch – and one has threatened to sue the journal if she isn’t removed.
The investigation that led to the 21 retractions began after Clarivate notified Sage about quality issues in multiple papers, a spokesperson for the publisher told us.
The investigation “revealed peer review that didn’t meet the standards set by Sage for publication and the potential involvement of a paper mill,” the spokesperson said. More papers may be retracted as the investigation continues.
The retractions were announced in a single notice posted on September 10. I
The language of the notice is nearly identical to another notice about a batch of 37 retractions from another Sage engineering journal in July, also for compromised peer review. The two sets of retractions are not related, the spokesperson said, but “both cases reflect wider issues we are facing as an industry.”
