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A corrigendum (plural, "corrigenda") is the only legitimate means of correcting previously published material. In APS journals, corrigenda may appear as a result of an error, noticed after the paper was published, introduced by the author(s), copy editor(s), or the printer. Usually, if the author ordered reprints of the article, we offer free replacement of the reprints; the corrected reprints are of no charge to the author.
The correction process is usually initiated by one of the authors, who notifies the journal in writing and explains the nature of the error. Sometimes the letter is clear in describing who is responsible for the mistake. If it is not clear, the Journal Supervisor/copy editor must research the case and establish how the error happened and who was responsible (there is a specific paper trail to follow). This is part of the quality-control process allowing a feedback to those who work on the journal (both at APS and at the printer's facility).
The Corrigendum is then written, usually by the Journal Supervisor, and published in the next available issue. Clarity and correctness of the Corrigendum are of utmost importance.
The writing style must be succinct and inform the readers clearly where to look for the error in the article (page, position on the page) and of what the error consists. The corrected sentence/paragraph/legend/equation/illustration follows.
In the printed journals, Corrigenda are placed under the table of contents. In addition, in the volume issues (June and December), they are repeated after the cumulative table of contents of the journal in question.
In the online edition of the journals, the Corrigenda appear in the table of contents. Each Corrigendum is then linked to the paper to which it refers, and the paper links back to the corrigendum. (It is worthwhile to mention this to the author, since the link easily points the reader to the correction.) As a matter of policy, APS does not alter content of the online version of a published article, except for certain special cases usually involving an author's name; e.g., an egregious mispelling, an author was left out, etc. Do not tell an author that we will change the content of an article online until you have discussed the matter with the Editorial Manager first.
Corrigenda content is always in one column × 30 pica, centered on the page. If figures or tables need to be reproduced, they are also centered.
CORRIGENDA
Volume xxx, Month 2000 (flush left, italics. For AJP, a second line is needed, reflecting the AJP subjournal's volume and year; first line gives the AJP Consolidated volume and year).
Volume xx, Month 2000 (AJP only)
Pages x000-x000: All authors' full names, as quoted in the original article, in roman. "Full title." Explanation. Corrected material.
If a full paragraph (or more) needs to be cited in the corrected material, indent it 1 em to visually distinguish it from the descriptive part of the Corrigendum. See specs for more details.
Corrigenda are quoted differently in references from APS journals than in those from other publications. Examples for both styles follow:
APS journals
Weisiger RA, Pond S, and Bass L. Hepatic uptake of protein-bound ligands: extended sinusoidal perfusion model. Am J Physiol 261 (Gastrointest Liver Physiol 24): G872--G884, 1991. [Corrigenda. Am J Physiol 266 (Gastriointest Liver Physiol 29): May 1994, following table of contents.]
other journals
Cohen SS. The function of polyamines. Adv Polyamine Res 1: 1-10, 1978. [Corrigenda. Adv Polyamine Res 3: August 1979, p. 199.]
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last edited 08/05/03