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Elsevier
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Policy for book or book chapter removal

Books published on ScienceDirect

In a limited number of cases, it may be necessary to remove a chapter from the online database. This may occur when the chapter infringes on professional ethical codes, in cases such as multiple submission, bogus claims of authorship, plagiarism, fraudulent use of data or the like. This may also occur where the chapter is clearly defamatory, or infringes others’ legal rights, or where the chapter is, or Elsevier has good reason to expect it will be, the subject of a court order, or where the chapter, if acted on, might pose a serious health risk. A request for the removal of a single book chapter or an entire book may be initiated by the chapter authors, the book Author or Editor, or the Publisher (in its role as co-arbiter of publishing ethics for books).

In these circumstances, while the metadata (Title and Authors) will be retained, the text will be replaced with a screen indicating the chapter has been removed and explaining the reason for the removal.

  • A Removal note titled “Removed: [Chapter Title]” replaces the Removed content in the electronic platform version.

  • The HTML and PDF versions of the chapter are replaced with the Removal notice.

For further information on Elsevier’s policy regarding Journal article withdrawal, please see: Article Withdrawal Policy