Withdrawal Policy
Guidelines and procedures for manuscript withdrawal at different stages of the publication process
This page outlines the conditions under which authors may withdraw a manuscript from consideration and the consequences of withdrawal after peer review or publication.
Important Notice
Once a paper has undergone peer review, withdrawal is no longer permitted. This policy ensures the integrity of our review process and respects the time and expertise contributed by our reviewers.
Pre-review Withdrawal
Authors may withdraw submissions before peer review with no penalty by notifying the editorial office. We ask for a brief explanation to help the editorial team update records and understand your decision.
Consequences:
- No penalties or fees applied
- No restrictions on future submissions
- Simple notification process required
During Peer Review
Once peer review has commenced, withdrawal requests will not be accepted. Our reviewers volunteer their time and expertise, and we respect their contributions by ensuring manuscripts complete the review process once initiated.
Policy Enforcement:
- All withdrawal requests during review will be declined
- Manuscript must complete the full review cycle
- Authors may choose not to revise after review completion
Post-Acceptance Withdrawal
Withdrawal after acceptance is strongly discouraged and generally not permitted. In exceptional circumstances, authors must provide substantial justification, and such requests may be subject to administrative fees or restrictions on future submissions.
Potential Consequences:
- Administrative processing fees may apply
- Temporary restrictions on future submissions
- Requires editorial board approval
- No refund of any fees paid
Post-Publication Withdrawal
Once a manuscript is published, it becomes part of the scientific record and cannot be withdrawn. Corrections or retractions may be considered in cases of significant error or ethical concerns, following COPE guidelines.
Available Alternatives:
- Correction notices for minor errors
- Expression of concern for unresolved issues
- Retraction for serious ethical violations
- Addenda for additional information
No Refund Policy
Please note: Once any fees have been paid (including APCs or other processing fees), no refunds will be provided regardless of withdrawal circumstances. This includes cases where withdrawal is permitted or where authors choose not to proceed after review completion.
For questions about this policy or to request withdrawal during permitted stages, please contact the editorial office with your manuscript ID and detailed explanation.