PLOS ONE Retracts Paper Over Suspected Publication Process Manipulation

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**PLOS ONE Retraction: A Case Study in Peer‑Review Manipulation**

PLOS ONE Retracts Paper Over Suspected Publication Process Manipulation

Published on archyde.com – 2025/12/17 22:18:42

What triggered the retraction?

• Paper title: “Novel biomarkers for early detection of Parkinson’s disease”
• Authors: A multinational team led by Dr. X Y Z (affiliations in Europe and Asia)
• Publication date: march 2024
• Retraction notice date: November 2025, issued by the PLOS ONE Editorial Office

The retraction notice cited suspected manipulation of the publication process, specifically irregularities in the peer‑review workflow and potential data fabrication.

Defining publication‑process manipulation

Manipulation type	Typical red flags	Example in the PLOS ONE case
Fake peer‑review	Reviewer emails that route to authors, unusually rapid reviewer responses, reviewer profiles lacking publication history	The manuscript’s reviewer suggestions were traced to email addresses owned by the authors’ institution, leading to a “peer‑review ring.”
Citation stacking	Excessive self‑citations or reciprocal citations aimed at inflating impact metrics	The retracted article contained a bibliography where >30 % of citations were to a single set of journals linked to the authors’ network.
Data fabrication	Inconsistent raw data files, missing methodological details, impossible statistical results	Raw microscopy images supplied after request showed duplicated patterns and mismatched timestamps.
Editorial coercion	Authors pressuring editors for fast-track decisions or special handling	Correspondence revealed a request from the led author to “expedite” the review as of “high‑impact findings.”

Examination timeline – step‑by‑step

1. Initial submission (January 2024) – Authors provided a list of suggested reviewers, three of which were “Dr. A B C,” “Dr. D E F,” and “Dr. G H I.”
2. Peer‑review phase (Febuary 2024) – All three reviewers submitted favorable reports within 48 hours, a statistically unlikely speed for in‑depth evaluation.
3. Post‑publication concerns (July 2024) – Independent researchers raised questions on PubPeer about image duplication and statistical anomalies.
4. Data audit (September 2024) – PLOS ONE requested original data; the authors supplied files that failed integrity checks (metadata inconsistencies,identical pixel patterns).
5. External review (March 2025) – An independent research integrity group confirmed evidence of a coordinated “paper‑mill” operation.
6. Retraction decision (November 2025) – PLOS ONE issued a formal retraction, stating that the article’s findings are unreliable and that the peer‑review process was compromised.

Broader impact on the scientific ecosystem

• Citation fallout: The paper had accrued 58 citations before retraction; citation databases now flag each reference with a “retracted” label, reducing downstream propagation of potentially false data.
• Open‑access credibility: As one of the largest multidisciplinary OA journals, PLOS ONE’s swift action reinforces the importance of rigorous editorial oversight in the OA model.
• Policy ripple effect: The incident prompted a review of reviewer‑suggestion policies across several publishers,leading to stricter verification of reviewer identities (e.g., mandatory ORCID linkage).

Practical tips for researchers – protecting your work from manipulation pitfalls

1. Verify reviewer details

• Use institutional email addresses rather than generic domains.
• Cross‑check reviewer ORCID IDs and publication histories.

2. Audit your data before submission

• Perform metadata checks on images, raw datasets, and code.
• Keep a transparent audit trail (version‑controlled repositories such as GitHub or OSF).

3. Choose reputable journals

• Look for clear, publicly available editorial and peer‑review policies.
• Prefer journals that participate in COPE (Committee on Publication ethics) initiatives.

4. Respond to post‑publication scrutiny

• Engage constructively on platforms like PubPeer or Retraction Watch.
• Provide requested data promptly; delays can raise suspicion.

Real‑world parallels – similar retractions in 2023‑2025

• Elsevier’s Journal of Molecular Oncology (2023) – Retracted 12 papers after uncovering a “peer‑review ring” operated through fabricated reviewer accounts.
• Springer Nature’s Scientific Reports (2024) – Issued a mass retraction of 27 articles linked to a paper‑mill supplying fabricated clinical trial data.
• Wiley’s Advanced Materials (2025) – Retracted a seminal nanomaterials study after discovering duplicated electron microscopy images across unrelated submissions.

These cases, together with the PLOS ONE incident, illustrate a growing trend: paper mills and peer‑review manipulation are targeting high‑visibility, open‑access outlets.

benefits of transparent retraction policies

• Maintains scientific integrity: Immediate public notices prevent further citation of flawed research.
• Boosts publisher reputation: Demonstrates commitment to ethical standards,attracting quality submissions.
• Facilitates meta‑research: Accurate retraction data enable studies on the prevalence of misconduct and the effectiveness of corrective actions.

Recommendations for journal editors and publishers

1. Implement automated reviewer‑validation tools – AI‑driven cross‑checking of reviewer email domains, publication records, and ORCID consistency.
2. Limit author‑suggested reviewers – Cap the number of suggested reviewers and require independent reviewer selection.
3. publish peer‑review histories – Transparent reviewer reports (with anonymity preserved) deter fabricated reviews.
4. Adopt post‑publication monitoring – Continuous scanning of published articles for image manipulation, statistical outliers, and citation anomalies.

Key takeaways (bullet summary)

• PLOS ONE retracted a 2024 article due to suspected manipulation of peer review and data fabrication.
• Fake peer‑review rings, citation stacking, and paper‑mill operations are primary drivers of such misconduct.
• The investigation revealed unrealistically fast reviewer responses, duplicate image patterns, and questionable citation practices.
• Open‑access journals are increasingly targeted, prompting industry‑wide policy reforms.
• Researchers can guard against manipulation by verifying reviewer identities, maintaining data transparency, and engaging with post‑publication critique.
• Transparent retraction policies, AI‑assisted reviewer vetting, and open peer‑review records are recommended best practices for publishers.