Dealing with Consequences of Irreproducibility and Modifying the Published Literature: Retractions versus Revisions.

Abstract

One of the barriers to revising the literature when new data are produced, demonstrating the lack of reproducibility of particular published findings, is the stigma associated with the current tools available, most notably the use of retractions. We suggest an additional tool: revisions, which could be linked to prior manuscripts by the original authors and by others (upon peer review). We hope new approaches such as the ability to revise prior reports will help to keep the literature up-to-date and representative of the most complete understanding of an issue.