Free web tool
Retraction Checker
Paste a reference list, BibTeX or a list of DOIs. The tool asks Crossref, which carries Retraction Watch's data, whether any of them has been retracted or carries an expression of concern. Your list is not sent to Purplelink.
Questions
Where does the retraction information come from?
From Crossref, which carries Retraction Watch's database. A retracted work's record lists the retraction notice, and the tool reads that. Crossref only holds works registered with it, so a DOI from another registrar, a book or a web page may come back as not found.
Does no result mean a paper is safe to cite?
No. A retraction that is days or weeks old may not be in Crossref yet, and a paper can be unreliable without being retracted. Treat a clear result as one check, not a clearance.
What should I do if a cited paper is retracted?
Read the retraction notice. Do not cite the work as support for a claim. If you need to mention it, say that it was retracted and why. An expression of concern means the journal has doubts but has not retracted the paper, so check what the notice says before you rely on the result.
Is my reference list sent to Purplelink?
No. Your browser asks Crossref about each DOI and title, and Purplelink does not receive the list. Crossref, a public service, does see the DOIs and titles your browser asks about.
Does it check references that have no DOI?
Yes, up to 25 per run, by searching Crossref for the title and accepting only a close match. A DOI is more reliable, so add DOIs where you have them.
Can it check a whole manuscript at once?
The free preview on the Paper Review page does: upload a PDF or Word file and it checks the references and flags any retraction. A full review also checks whether each cited source supports the claim it is attached to.