PaperCitation

Reference checker · Retractions

Retraction checker

Paste your reference list. Any matched paper that has been retracted, withdrawn or removed, or has an expression of concern, is flagged on top of its verdict.

  • Flags retractions, withdrawals and removals
  • Flags expressions of concern
  • Uses Crossref's Retraction Watch data and OpenAlex
  • Free, no signup, nothing stored

Up to 25 references. Numbering and bullets are fine. We don't store what you paste.

0 / 25

Why retractions matter in a reference list

A retracted paper usually stays online, clearly marked, so the record stays honest. Citing it as if its results held is the mistake. Students rarely know a paper was retracted, because the reference list from a source, or from an AI tool, doesn’t say so.

This tool checks every paper it matches for a retraction notice and shows a warning on top of the verdict, whether the reference was otherwise verified, mismatched or a possible match.

Where the data comes from

For each matched paper the tool reads the notices published through Crossref, which include the Retraction Watch database, and OpenAlex’s retraction flag. Crossref makes the Retraction Watch data openly available, which is what allows a free tool to show it.

The flags

  • Retracted. The journal formally withdrew the paper.
  • Withdrawn or removed. The paper was taken back or taken down by the publisher.
  • Expression of concern. The publisher has raised a question about the paper. Read the notice before relying on it.

What to do about a flag

  1. Open the notice. It states the reason, which can range from honest error to misconduct.
  2. Replace the paper with a source that supports your point, unless you are writing about the retraction.
  3. If you do cite it, say it was retracted. APA gives a format for this in its journal article examples.
  4. Check the other papers by the same authors on your list. A retraction does not make them wrong, but it is a reason to read them carefully.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between the flags?

A retraction is a journal's formal withdrawal of a paper because its findings can't be relied on. A withdrawal and a removal are related actions, often for papers that should not have been published. An expression of concern is a warning from the publisher that a paper's reliability is in question while it is looked into. The check shows which one applies.

Can I still cite a retracted paper?

Don't cite it as evidence. Its findings are considered unreliable. You can cite it if you are writing about the retraction itself. APA asks you to add the retraction details after the reference.

How current is the data?

It depends on how fast publishers and the databases record a retraction. A paper retracted very recently may not be flagged yet. Retraction notices also take time to reach every database, so check the paper's page on the publisher's site for papers that matter.

My paper wasn't flagged. Is it safe to cite?

It means no retraction notice was found for the record we matched. It is not a guarantee about the paper's quality. A reference we could not match can't be checked at all.

Do you flag preprints that were later retracted?

Only when the record we match carries a notice. Preprints and published versions are separate records, so check both.

Last reviewed . Style rules on this page are paraphrased from the official sources listed here.

Official sources

We paraphrase official guidance and link to it. When in doubt, follow the source and your instructor.