Withdrawal Policy

The Clinical and Health Research Exploration journal aims to maintain the integrity and efficiency of its publication process. This Withdrawal Policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for authors wishing to withdraw their manuscripts from the journal’s editorial or peer review process. The policy ensures transparency, clarity, and fairness for both authors and the journal.

2. Scope of the Withdrawal Policy:

This policy applies to manuscripts that have been submitted to Clinical and Health Research Exploration, whether the submission is in the initial editorial screening stage, during peer review, or after acceptance for publication. It also applies to requests for withdrawal of print editions or print requests after submission.

3. Withdrawal Request Process:

  • Submission Stage: Authors may request to withdraw their manuscript at any point before it enters the peer review process. This includes situations where the manuscript is still in the initial editorial screening stage, under review for compliance with submission guidelines, or waiting for reviewer assignment.

  • During Peer Review: Authors may request to withdraw their manuscript from the peer review process at any time, prior to final acceptance. A withdrawal request at this stage will stop the peer review process, but the manuscript may be considered for future submission depending on the circumstances.

  • Post-Acceptance Stage: Once an article is accepted for publication, it can only be withdrawn under exceptional circumstances (such as significant ethical issues, errors in the data, or legal concerns). The manuscript will be removed from the publication queue, but authors may be required to provide a justification for the withdrawal.

  • Post-Publication: Once a manuscript has been published online or in print, it cannot be withdrawn. However, authors may request retraction if significant issues arise after publication. The article will remain available, but a retraction notice will be issued.

4. Conditions for Withdrawal:

  • Before Peer Review: Manuscripts may be withdrawn at any time before peer review without any penalties or fees, provided that the author submits a formal written request to the editorial office. A brief explanation of the reason for withdrawal may be requested.

  • During Peer Review: If the manuscript has already entered the peer review process but is withdrawn by the author before any reviewer comments are returned, a nominal administrative fee may be charged to cover costs already incurred. The authors will be notified of any fees before processing the withdrawal request.

  • After Peer Review or Acceptance: Manuscripts withdrawn after peer review or acceptance will incur a processing fee to cover the costs associated with the editorial and peer review process. The fee will depend on the stage at which the manuscript is withdrawn. Authors must provide a clear and reasonable explanation for the withdrawal request.

  • Post-Publication: After an article is published, it is no longer eligible for withdrawal but may be subject to retraction if the author submits a formal retraction request. The retraction will be published as a separate notice with a full explanation.

5. Procedure for Withdrawal:

To withdraw a manuscript from Clinical and Health Research Exploration, authors should follow the procedure outlined below:

  1. Submit a Request: Authors wishing to withdraw their manuscript must submit a formal withdrawal request to the editorial office via email or the submission platform. The request should include:

    • Manuscript title and reference number.

    • Clear statement of withdrawal.

    • Reason for withdrawal (optional but encouraged).

  2. Review and Acknowledgement: Upon receiving the request, the editorial office will acknowledge the withdrawal request within 5 business days and will confirm the status of the manuscript. Authors will be informed whether any fees apply based on the stage of the process.

  3. Final Decision: Once the manuscript is withdrawn, it will be removed from the editorial system. The withdrawal will be documented, and the author will receive confirmation of the withdrawal. If applicable, any fees will be processed according to the journal’s policies.

  4. Exception Handling: If a withdrawal request occurs under exceptional or urgent circumstances (e.g., ethical concerns, errors that affect the integrity of the research), the editorial board will review the request on a case-by-case basis and may offer an expedited process.

6. Withdrawal Fees:

  • No Fee: Manuscripts withdrawn before peer review or initial screening will not incur any fees.

  • Administrative Fee: Manuscripts withdrawn during the peer review process may incur a nominal administrative fee to cover the costs of the editorial and peer review process. This fee will be determined based on the stage of the manuscript's review process.

  • Processing Fee: Manuscripts withdrawn after acceptance but before publication may incur a processing fee, which will be communicated to the author.

  • No Refund: In cases where a manuscript is withdrawn after a fee has been paid (e.g., publication or open access fees), no refund will be issued.

7. Consequences of Withdrawal:

  • No Publication: Any manuscript withdrawn from the publication process will not be published in Clinical and Health Research Exploration.

  • Future Submissions: Authors who repeatedly withdraw manuscripts at advanced stages of the submission or review process may be flagged in the journal’s records. Repeated withdrawals may result in limitations on future submissions or require additional review to ensure that the withdrawal does not reflect poorly on the author’s credibility.

8. Retraction After Publication:

Once an article is published, it cannot be withdrawn but may be subject to retraction. Authors can request retraction for the following reasons:

  • Significant errors discovered after publication that affect the integrity of the results.

  • Ethical concerns (e.g., issues with patient consent, data fabrication).

  • Legal reasons (e.g., violations of copyright or intellectual property).

The retraction request must be sent to the editorial office, and the authors must provide a full explanation. A retraction notice will be published, and the article will remain in the journal archives but will be clearly marked as retracted.