Withdrawal Policy
Insights in Biology and Medicine maintains a comprehensive withdrawal policy that balances author rights with the integrity of the scholarly record. This policy outlines the procedures, acceptable reasons, and consequences for manuscript withdrawal at various stages of the publication process.
Withdrawal Statistics and Context
Types of Withdrawal
Pre-review Withdrawal
Timing: After submission but before peer review initiation
Acceptable Reasons
- Discovery of critical error in research methodology
- Identification of duplicate submission to another journal
- Author disagreement about submission
- Change in research direction or priorities
- Institutional requirements or restrictions
Procedure
- Submit formal withdrawal request via submission system
- Provide brief explanation for withdrawal
- Obtain consent from all co-authors
- Receive confirmation within 3 business days
During Review Withdrawal
Timing: After peer review initiation but before editorial decision
Acceptable Reasons
- Substantive methodological flaws identified during review
- Emerging ethical concerns about the research
- Significant new data that fundamentally changes conclusions
- Irreconcilable author disagreements
- Unexpected research outcomes requiring complete revision
Considerations
- Reviewer time and effort already invested
- Potential impact on reviewer willingness for future reviews
- Editorial resources allocated to the manuscript
- May affect future submissions from same authors
Post-acceptance Withdrawal
Timing: After formal acceptance but before publication
Acceptable Reasons
- Identification of data integrity issues
- Discovery of authorship disputes or violations
- Emerging ethical concerns about research conduct
- Legal or institutional restrictions
- Fundamental errors affecting scientific validity
Consequences
- Publication ban for all authors (6-12 months)
- APC forfeiture if already paid
- Notification to institutional authorities if ethical concerns
- Potential impact on author reputation
Withdrawal Procedure
Standard Withdrawal Process
Corresponding author submits formal withdrawal request through manuscript tracking system with detailed explanation and evidence of all co-author consent.
Handling editor reviews request, assesses validity of reasons, and evaluates impact on review process and scholarly record.
Editorial office verifies that all listed co-authors consent to withdrawal. Disputed withdrawals require resolution before processing.
Editor makes final decision and notifies authors. Withdrawal is processed or alternative solutions are proposed.
Manuscript status updated to "Withdrawn" in submission system. Reviewers notified if review was in progress.
Withdrawal recorded in journal database with reason and date. Record maintained for 7 years for reference and tracking.
Unacceptable Withdrawal Reasons
Prohibited Grounds for Withdrawal
The following reasons are generally not accepted for withdrawal:
Unacceptable Reasons
- Dissatisfaction with review timeline
- Disagreement with reviewer comments
- Desire to submit to a "higher impact" journal
- Minor methodological concerns addressable through revision
- Change in author career plans or institutional affiliation
- Receipt of more favorable reviews from another journal
Consequences for Unacceptable Withdrawals
- Manuscript may proceed through review process
- Authors may face temporary submission restrictions
- Potential impact on author credibility and future submissions
- Institutional notification for repeated violations
Withdrawal vs. Retraction
Key Distinctions
| Aspect | Withdrawal | Retraction |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Before publication | After publication |
| Initiation | Author-initiated | Author, editor, or publisher-initiated |
| Public Notice | Internal record only | Public retraction notice |
| Reason | Author discretion with editorial approval | Ethical violations or scientific errors |
| Impact | Limited to submission history | Public record of problematic publication |
Author Responsibilities and Consequences
Author Obligations
Required Actions
- Obtain unanimous consent from all co-authors
- Provide honest and complete explanation for withdrawal
- Respond promptly to editorial inquiries
- Cooperate with any required investigations
- Accept consequences for inappropriate withdrawals
Consequences Framework
| Withdrawal Scenario | Frequency | Consequences | Appeal Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-review (Valid Reason) | 72% of withdrawals | No consequences, may resubmit revised version | Not applicable |
| During Review (Valid Reason) | 18% of withdrawals | May affect future review priority, case-by-case assessment | Editor review |
| Post-acceptance (Valid Reason) | 8% of withdrawals | 6-month submission ban, APC forfeiture if paid | Ethics committee review |
| Any Stage (Invalid Reason) | 2% of withdrawals | 12-month submission ban, institutional notification | Formal appeal to editor-in-chief |
Special Circumstances
Ethical Concerns
Withdrawals involving ethical issues require special handling:
Mandatory Reporting
- Data fabrication or falsification
- Plagiarism or authorship misconduct
- Ethical violations in research conduct
- Legal or regulatory compliance issues
- Conflicts of interest not properly disclosed
Investigation Process
- Immediate suspension of publication process
- Formation of ethics investigation committee
- Collection of evidence and statements
- Institutional notification if violations confirmed
- Potential retraction if already published
Author Disputes
Withdrawals involving author disagreements require careful mediation:
Editorial office identifies conflicting withdrawal requests or author communications indicating disagreement.
Editor facilitates communication between authors to resolve differences and reach consensus.
If mediation fails, consult authors' institutions for guidance and resolution.
Editor makes final determination based on authorship criteria and ethical considerations.
Appeals Process
Appeal Procedure
Appeal Submission
- Submit within 30 days of withdrawal decision
- Provide detailed justification and new evidence
- Include supporting documentation
- Obtain co-author consent for appeal
Appeal Review
- Reviewed by editor-in-chief or designated committee
- Assessment of original decision and new information
- Consultation with original handling editor
- Decision within 21 days of appeal receipt
Prevention and Best Practices
Avoiding Unnecessary Withdrawals
Pre-submission Checklist
- Verify all authors meet ICMJE authorship criteria
- Confirm data integrity and methodological soundness
- Obtain unanimous author consent for submission
- Ensure manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere
- Complete internal review and quality control
During Submission
- Use pre-submission inquiries for scope alignment
- Carefully review journal aims and scope
- Consider open peer review option if concerned about bias
- Maintain communication with co-authors throughout process
- Address minor concerns through revision rather than withdrawal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw my manuscript if I receive a major revision decision?
While technically possible, withdrawing after receiving a major revision decision is generally discouraged. Major revision indicates the journal sees potential in your work. We recommend addressing reviewer comments through revision rather than withdrawal, as this maintains the scholarly dialogue and investment of reviewer time.
What happens if co-authors disagree about withdrawal?
We require unanimous consent from all authors for withdrawal. If authors disagree, we attempt mediation. If consensus cannot be reached, the manuscript may proceed with dissenting authors removed (if they request) or may be suspended until authors resolve their differences. The corresponding author has primary responsibility for managing author consensus.
How long does the withdrawal process take?
Pre-review withdrawals are typically processed within 3-5 business days. Withdrawals during review may take 7-10 days as we notify reviewers and assess impact. Post-acceptance withdrawals require more thorough review and may take 14-21 days. Complex cases involving ethical concerns or author disputes may take longer.
Will withdrawal affect my future submissions to the journal?
Single pre-review withdrawals with valid reasons generally do not affect future submissions. However, repeated withdrawals, especially during or after review, may result in temporary submission restrictions. We maintain a record of withdrawal patterns to ensure responsible use of editorial and reviewer resources.
Can I resubmit a withdrawn manuscript after revision?
Yes, withdrawn manuscripts can be resubmitted after substantial revision. The new submission will be treated as a new manuscript with new manuscript ID. Please reference the original submission in your cover letter and explain how the concerns leading to withdrawal have been addressed.
Withdrawal Requests and Inquiries
For withdrawal requests or questions about this policy:
Withdrawal Requests: Submit through manuscript tracking system
Policy Questions: [email protected]
Urgent Withdrawals: [email protected]
Ethical Concerns: [email protected]
Response Time: We acknowledge withdrawal requests within 2 business days and process straightforward requests within 5 business days. Complex cases may require additional time for proper assessment.
Policy Review: This Withdrawal Policy is reviewed annually and updated based on author feedback, industry standards, and our experience managing the withdrawal process. Last comprehensive review: October 2023.
COPE Compliance: Our withdrawal procedures align with Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines and best practices for maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record while respecting author rights.