Free research-integrity tool
Retraction Checker: Check a Paper by DOI
Paste a DOI or doi.org link to check Crossref metadata for registered retractions, corrections and other publication updates. Results show the evidence found rather than labeling a paper “safe.”
Check a DOI
What this retraction checker checks
The checker first identifies the DOI record and displays the article title, journal, publisher and publication details returned by Crossref. It then examines update relationships and related metadata for evidence of a retraction, correction or other registered update.
How to check if a paper is retracted
- Copy the DOI from the paper, publisher page or reference list.
- Paste the DOI above and run the check.
- Confirm that the returned title, authors and journal match your paper.
- Read any retraction, correction or update evidence shown.
- Open the DOI/publisher record before relying on the result in a thesis, review or manuscript.
For the complete verification workflow, see how to check whether a research paper has been retracted.
Retraction vs correction vs expression of concern
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Retraction | A formal notice indicates that the publication should no longer be treated as reliable in its original form. |
| Correction | A published update corrects part of the record; it is not automatically a withdrawal of the whole paper. |
| Expression of concern | A publisher or editor has flagged an unresolved concern. It is not the same as a completed retraction. |
| No retraction found | No retraction relationship was found in the metadata checked at that time. This is not a scientific-quality verdict. |
Why DOI-based checking is useful
Titles can be abbreviated, translated or entered differently across databases. A DOI is a persistent identifier and usually gives a more precise match. If you only have a title, locate the DOI on the publisher page or through a trusted bibliographic database before running the check.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check whether a paper has been retracted?
Paste its DOI into the checker. Review the returned metadata and any registered retraction or update relationship, then confirm important findings on the publisher record.
Does “no retraction found” mean the paper is safe?
No. It only describes the metadata checked at that moment. It is not a judgment about research quality, reproducibility or future publication updates.
Can I paste a doi.org URL?
Yes. Both bare DOIs and doi.org URLs are accepted.
Can I check corrections too?
Yes. When Crossref exposes a correction or other update relationship, the checker separates it from a retraction so the two are not treated as equivalent.
More journal and publication checks
Checking a paper is only one part of research verification. Use the Journal Checker to investigate a journal, the DOI & Crossref verification guide to inspect DOI metadata, and the Journal Verification Guides for indexing, ISSN, peer-review and publisher checks.
Evidence reviewed: