Withdrawal Policy

At Biosciences Research Reviews, we strive to maintain the integrity and fairness of the publication process. Our withdrawal policy is designed to address situations where authors need to withdraw their manuscript from the review or publication process, ensuring that all parties involved are treated transparently and responsibly. Below are the key guidelines for manuscript withdrawal:

1. Author-Initiated Withdrawal

Authors may wish to withdraw their manuscript for various reasons before or during the publication process. The following procedures apply:

Before Submission to Review (Pre-Review Stage):

  • Full Withdrawal: If authors wish to withdraw their manuscript before it is submitted for peer review, they are required to inform the editorial office as soon as possible. In this case, the manuscript will be removed from the submission system without any fees incurred.

After Submission, Before Review:

  • Full Withdrawal: If the manuscript has been submitted but not yet sent out for peer review, authors can request a withdrawal by contacting the editorial office. A formal withdrawal notice will be issued. There are no fees or penalties for manuscripts withdrawn at this stage.

After Review, Before Acceptance:

  • Withdrawal After Review: If the manuscript has been sent for peer review but has not yet been accepted, authors may still request a withdrawal. Authors should inform the editorial office immediately if they wish to withdraw the manuscript.
    • No Charges: There are no charges for withdrawal at this stage, unless the authors have already made an Article Processing Charge (APC) payment, in which case the APC will be refunded according to the refund policy (if applicable).

After Acceptance (Pre-Publication Stage):

  • Full Withdrawal: Once the manuscript has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published online or in print, authors may request to withdraw the manuscript. The decision to grant withdrawal at this stage will be evaluated by the editorial team, and a full explanation for the withdrawal request must be provided.
    • No APC Refund: In the case where the APC has been paid, the payment is non-refundable at this stage, as the manuscript is in the final stages of preparation for publication.

After Publication (Post-Publication Stage):

  • Post-Publication Withdrawal: After an article has been officially published online or in print, it cannot be withdrawn, except under very specific circumstances such as ethical violations (e.g., plagiarism, data manipulation) or legal issues (e.g., defamation, copyright violations).
    • Retraction: Instead of withdrawal, a retraction may be issued if necessary. A formal retraction notice will be published, and the article will remain available online with a clear indication of its retracted status.

2. Editor-Initiated Withdrawal

In some cases, the editorial team may decide to withdraw a manuscript from the review or publication process. The reasons for editor-initiated withdrawal may include, but are not limited to:

  • Plagiarism or Ethical Violations: If plagiarism, data falsification, or any other ethical misconduct is detected at any stage of the manuscript handling, the manuscript will be withdrawn immediately.
  • Failure to Respond to Reviewer Comments: If authors do not respond to reviewer comments within a reasonable period, the editorial team may decide to withdraw the manuscript.
  • Violation of Journal Policies: If the manuscript violates the journal’s submission guidelines, scope, or publication ethics, the editorial team reserves the right to withdraw the manuscript.

3. Withdrawal Process

To request a withdrawal, authors must submit a formal request in writing to the editorial office. The request must include:

  • The manuscript title.
  • The reason for withdrawal.
  • Any relevant supporting information, if applicable.

The editorial team will review the request and notify the authors of the decision. Authors should expect a response within 5–7 business days. If the manuscript is withdrawn, the authors will receive a confirmation notice.

4. Consequences of Withdrawal

  • Pre-Review and Post-Review Withdrawal: If a manuscript is withdrawn before or after the peer review process, it will be removed from the journal’s system and will not be considered for publication.
  • No Future Submissions: Authors who frequently withdraw manuscripts after submission or acceptance may face restrictions on submitting future manuscripts to Biosciences Research Reviews.

5. Exceptional Circumstances for Withdrawal

In exceptional cases (such as unanticipated emergencies or legal issues), the editorial board may decide to allow withdrawal even after acceptance or publication. Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis, and a decision will be made in consultation with the authors and other relevant parties.

6. Handling of Manuscripts Withdrawn After Publication

Once an article is published, Biosciences Research Reviews does not allow withdrawal unless there are serious ethical or legal concerns. In cases where an article is withdrawn post-publication due to an ethical violation or error, the following actions will be taken:

  • Retraction Notice: A retraction notice will be published, explaining the reason for the retraction.
  • Record Maintenance: The retracted article will remain in the archive but will clearly indicate its retracted status for the academic record.

7. Communication of Withdrawal

Upon successful withdrawal of a manuscript, the authors will receive a confirmation email from the editorial team. If applicable, any refunds or adjustments related to APCs will be processed according to the refund policy.