When citing a corrected version of a published article, include both the original publication information and a note indicating that a correction has been issued, ensuring readers can trace the most accurate version of the work.
Basic Citation Approach
Start with the standard citation format for the article (author, year, title, journal, volume, pages, DOI). Then add a bracketed note immediately after the title indicating it's a corrected version. For example, in APA style: "Smith, J. (2023). Effects of climate change on coastal erosion [Corrected]. Journal of Environmental Science, 45(2), 112–128."
If the correction was published separately (as an erratum or corrigendum), you may need to cite both the original article and the correction notice, depending on your style guide's requirements and the significance of the changes.
Key Information to Include
Publication details: Always use the corrected version's DOI if it differs from the original, as publishers often assign new DOIs to corrected articles or link the correction notice to the original record.
Correction date: Some style guides recommend noting when the correction was published, especially if there's a significant time gap between the original and corrected versions.
Nature of correction: If the correction is substantial (affecting results or conclusions rather than minor typos), consider adding a brief note in your text explaining what was corrected, so readers understand why you're citing a corrected version.
Style Guide Variations
Different citation styles handle corrections slightly differently. APA 7th edition suggests adding "[Corrected]" after the title. MLA and Chicago styles have similar approaches but may place the correction notice in different positions. When managing multiple citations with various formatting requirements, tools like WisPaper's TrueCite automatically verify citation accuracy across different styles and can flag when a paper has been corrected or retracted, helping you avoid citing outdated versions.
Accessing Corrected Versions
Most publishers clearly mark corrected articles in their databases and link to correction notices. Always check the journal's website for the most recent version before finalizing your citation, as corrections may affect the interpretation of findings you're discussing in your own work.
