Withdrawal Policy

1. Author’s Right to Withdraw:

  • Pre-Peer Review Withdrawal: Authors have the right to withdraw their manuscript at any time before the peer review process has begun. If the manuscript has not yet been assigned to reviewers, the author can request a withdrawal by contacting the editorial team via email.
  • Post-Peer Review Withdrawal: Once the manuscript has entered the peer review stage, authors may still request to withdraw it; however, the request will only be considered if the reviewers have not yet provided feedback. If reviewer comments have already been received, the manuscript will typically be processed according to the review decision.

2. Withdrawal Process:

  • Formal Request: To withdraw a manuscript, the author must send a formal request to the journal’s editorial office. The request should include the manuscript title, submission ID, and a clear reason for the withdrawal.
  • Acknowledgment of Withdrawal: Once the withdrawal request is received and approved, the editorial team will acknowledge the withdrawal and confirm that the manuscript has been removed from the submission process. The author will receive a confirmation email, and no further action will be taken regarding the manuscript.

3. Reasons for Withdrawal:

  • Author’s Decision: Authors may choose to withdraw their manuscript for any valid reason, such as submitting the manuscript to another journal, revising the content based on new information, or withdrawing due to personal or professional reasons.
  • Non-Compliance with Journal Policies: The manuscript may also be withdrawn if the author fails to comply with the journal’s policies (e.g., plagiarism, conflict of interest disclosure, or ethical standards).

4. Withdrawal after Acceptance:

  • Pre-Production Withdrawal: Authors may request to withdraw a manuscript before it enters the production phase (i.e., before the article is formatted and typeset). This must be done in writing to the editorial team, and the request will be considered based on the publication timeline.
  • Post-Acceptance Withdrawal: Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication and enters the production phase, withdrawal is not typically permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances. If the author insists on withdrawal, the editorial team may decide to proceed with publication or consider other actions, depending on the situation.

5. Impact on Future Submissions:

  • Multiple Withdrawals: If an author withdraws multiple manuscripts without valid reasons or after peer review has begun, the journal may review the circumstances and, in some cases, impose restrictions on future submissions by that author.
  • Clear Communication: Authors should communicate clearly and promptly when withdrawing their manuscripts to avoid delays in the publication process for other submissions.

6. Withdrawal Due to Ethical or Legal Concerns:

  • Ethical Violations: If a manuscript is withdrawn due to ethical violations (e.g., plagiarism, data falsification, or unethical research practices), the journal may investigate the matter further and may report the issue to the relevant institutions or organizations.
  • Legal Issues: If the withdrawal is due to legal concerns (e.g., copyright infringement or disputes), the journal will assess the situation in consultation with legal experts and take appropriate action.

7. Author’s Responsibility:

  • Notification of Withdrawal: Authors are responsible for notifying the journal promptly if they decide to withdraw their manuscript. Delays in withdrawal requests may lead to wasted resources and time for the editorial team and reviewers.
  • Re-Submission of Withdrawn Manuscripts: Authors who withdraw a manuscript may be allowed to submit it again to the journal in the future, provided the manuscript has not been published elsewhere and the original reason for withdrawal has been resolved.

8. Editorial Team’s Right to Withdraw:

  • At Any Stage: The editorial team reserves the right to withdraw a manuscript from the submission process at any stage if it is found to be in violation of the journal's ethical standards or submission guidelines, or if the manuscript does not meet the journal’s scope.
  • Notification: In such cases, the editorial team will inform the author of the withdrawal decision and provide the reasons for the action taken.