Retraction Notice - 15 May 2026

The Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching (JALT) hereby retract the following article:

 

JALT, Vol. 7, No. 1 (2024), pp. 214–225

DOI: 10.37074/jalt.2024.7.1.19

Publication link: https://jalt.open-publishing.org/index.php/jalt/article/view/1593

 

This retraction follows a formal editorial review initiated after concerns were raised by readers regarding the ethical conduct of the study. Specifically, questions were raised about the reporting of institutional ethics approval and the process of obtaining informed consent from participants.

 

The published article states that Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained and that informed consent procedures were followed and documented. However, subsequent correspondence with the author has confirmed that these requirements were not in place as described at the time of the study. As such, the article contains a material misrepresentation of its ethical compliance.

 

In accordance with JALT’s editorial policies, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Retraction Guidelines, and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (NSHRE)—which governs research practice for Australian higher education institution-owned publications—this issue cannot be addressed through a correction alone. Retraction is therefore necessary to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

 

The author has been informed of this decision and has agreed that retraction is appropriate in the best interest of the journal and its readership.

 

JALT is committed to transparency in editorial decision-making and to upholding the highest standards of ethical research and publication practice. This retraction is issued to ensure the integrity of the academic record and to provide clarity to readers.