Article Withdrawal Policy

Journal of Modern Medical Science(JMMS)

Open Access | Bi-Annual | Double-Blind Peer Review

1. Purpose of This Policy

The Article Withdrawal Policy outlines the conditions under which a manuscript or published article may be withdrawn from consideration or removed from public access prior to formal publication. The policy ensures fairness to authors, protects the integrity of the scholarly record, and maintains transparency in editorial processes.

Withdrawal is distinct from retraction. Withdrawal applies primarily to manuscripts in the pre-publication phase. Retraction applies to articles that have already been formally published.

2. Guiding Principles

JMMS recognizes that legitimate reasons may arise for withdrawal requests. However, the journal also acknowledges that inappropriate withdrawal can disrupt peer review, waste editorial resources, and compromise ethical standards.

Withdrawal decisions are guided by:

• Academic integrity
• Transparency
• Fair process
• Protection of the scientific record
• Accountability of all parties

3. Withdrawal Before Peer Review

3.1 Author-Initiated Withdrawal (Pre-Review)

Authors may request withdrawal before the manuscript is sent for peer review. Such requests must:

• Be submitted in writing by the corresponding author.
• Include confirmation that all co-authors agree.
• Provide a clear reason for withdrawal.

If the manuscript has not yet entered peer review, withdrawal is typically granted without penalty.

4. Withdrawal During Peer Review

Once peer review has commenced, withdrawal requests are subject to evaluation.

4.1 Valid Grounds for Withdrawal

Withdrawal may be permitted when:

• Significant errors are discovered in data or methodology.
• Ethical approval was found to be invalid or incomplete.
• Authors identify substantial mistakes affecting conclusions.
• Duplicate submission occurred unintentionally and is promptly disclosed.

The editorial office may require written consent from all authors before processing withdrawal.

4.2 Inappropriate Withdrawal

Withdrawal is considered inappropriate if:

• It is requested after receiving unfavorable reviewer comments.
• Authors seek to submit the same manuscript elsewhere without ethical justification.
• The review process has reached an advanced stage without valid reason.

In such cases, the journal reserves the right to:

• Decline the withdrawal request,
• Notify co-authors,
• Document the event in internal records.

Repeated inappropriate withdrawals may affect future submissions.

5. Withdrawal After Acceptance but Before Publication

If a manuscript has been accepted but not yet published:

• Authors must submit a formal written explanation.
• All authors must provide written consent.
• The Editor-in-Chief will review the request.

Withdrawal at this stage is granted only under exceptional circumstances, such as discovery of serious data errors or ethical violations.

Administrative or convenience-based reasons are generally insufficient grounds.

6. Editorial-Initiated Withdrawal

The journal may withdraw a manuscript prior to publication if:

• Plagiarism is confirmed.
• Data fabrication or falsification is identified.
• Ethical approval is fraudulent or unverifiable.
• Authorship disputes remain unresolved.
• Legal concerns arise (e.g., copyright infringement, defamation).

In such cases, authors will be informed in writing and given an opportunity to respond.

7. Early Online Articles and Withdrawal

If an article has been made available online in an early or pre-publication format but has not been formally assigned to an issue:

• Withdrawal may occur if serious integrity concerns are identified.
• A public withdrawal notice may be posted explaining the reason, while maintaining fairness and avoiding defamatory language.

Transparency is maintained without compromising due process.

8. Documentation and Transparency

All withdrawal actions are documented internally. When necessary:

• A withdrawal notice may replace the article record.
• The notice will state that the article has been withdrawn.
• The notice will not disclose confidential details unless required for transparency.

Withdrawal notices remain part of the permanent record to maintain clarity.

9. Author Responsibilities in Withdrawal Requests

Authors requesting withdrawal must:

• Confirm unanimous consent of all authors.
• Provide a clear, written explanation.
• Ensure no parallel submission exists during review unless ethically justified.
• Understand that withdrawal after peer review may delay future submissions.

Withdrawal does not exempt authors from responsibility if misconduct is later discovered.

10. Distinction Between Withdrawal and Retraction

Withdrawal applies when:

• The article is not yet fully published.

Retraction applies when:

• The article has been formally published and is part of the official scholarly record.

Retraction procedures are governed by a separate Retraction Policy.

11. Impact on Publication Fees

If Article Processing Charges (APC) are applicable:

• No fee is charged if withdrawal occurs before acceptance.
• Fees are non-refundable if substantial editorial or production work has been completed, unless withdrawal is due to editorial error.

Specific financial terms are governed by the APC Policy.

12. Prevention of Misuse

JMMS monitors patterns of submission and withdrawal. Repeated withdrawal without valid academic reason may result in:

• Editorial warning,
• Temporary submission restriction,
• Additional scrutiny of future manuscripts.

The goal is not punitive, but protective of editorial resources and academic integrity.

13. Ethical Handling of Sensitive Cases

In cases involving:

• Institutional investigations,
• Legal proceedings,
• Public health implications,

the journal may consult institutional authorities or legal counsel before finalizing withdrawal decisions.

Confidentiality is maintained throughout the process.

14. Conclusion

The Article Withdrawal Policy of JMMS is designed to balance author rights with editorial responsibility. Withdrawal is permitted when justified by legitimate academic or ethical concerns. However, the journal maintains firm safeguards to prevent misuse and to preserve the credibility of the peer review process. Withdrawal decisions are handled carefully, documented appropriately, and aligned with the journal’s commitment to transparency and scholarly integrity.