Article Withdrawal Policy - International Multispeciality Journal of Health (IJOER)
Critical Financial Policy
No APC Refunds: Article Processing Charges are non-refundable regardless of withdrawal timing. Post-publication withdrawal fee: $250 USD administrative charge applies for withdrawals after formal publication.
Important Policy Notice
IJOER maintains a balanced withdrawal policy respecting author autonomy while protecting scholarly integrity. Pre-publication withdrawal is allowed without extra charges, but Article Processing Charges (APC) are non-refundable. Post-publication withdrawal incurs a $250 USD administrative fee.
Policy Contents
1. Stage-Based Withdrawal Policy
Pre-publication Withdrawal
Allowed without extra charges at any stage before formal publication.
- No additional withdrawal fees
- Simplified request process
- Quick processing timeline
- Minimal administrative burden
- Preserved author rights
- Flexible decision-making
Post-publication Withdrawal
$250 USD administrative fee applies after formal publication.
- $250 withdrawal processing fee
- Complex system updates required
- Extended processing timeline
- Significant administrative work
- Scholarly record implications
- Database synchronization needed
Policy Summary: "Before publication withdrawal is allowed but fee cannot be refundable, no withdrawal allowed after publication. If still wanted, the charges are 250 USD."
2. Pre-publication Withdrawal
Withdrawal Stages
Authors can withdraw manuscripts at any stage before formal publication:
- During initial submission review
- During peer review process
- After peer review completion
- During revision period
- After final acceptance
- Before galley proof approval
- Prior to online publication
- Before issue assignment
Withdrawal Process
Simple process for pre-publication withdrawal:
- Submit formal withdrawal request
- Provide reason for withdrawal
- Obtain consent from all co-authors
- Receive confirmation from editorial office
- Manuscript removed from system
- No additional fees charged
3. No APC Refund Policy
Strict No-Refund Policy
Article Processing Charges (APC) are non-refundable regardless of withdrawal timing or reason.
Policy Details
- APC Payments Non-refundable: All Article Processing Charges are non-refundable
- Service Provision: APC covers services already rendered (peer review, editorial processing, system maintenance)
- Cost Recovery: Charges support journal operations independent of publication outcome
- Payment Timing: Authors should consider this policy carefully before APC payment
- No Exceptions: Applies to all withdrawal reasons (personal, professional, or technical)
- Financial Planning: Budget APC as non-recoverable publication cost
Author Recommendations
To avoid financial implications:
- Ensure commitment to publication before APC payment
- Discuss withdrawal possibilities with all co-authors in advance
- Consider pre-publication withdrawal if uncertainties exist
- Review institutional/funder publication policies beforehand
- Make withdrawal decisions before formal publication
- Plan APC as non-recoverable research expense
Important: We recommend authors ensure publication commitment before proceeding with APC payment as no refunds will be provided after payment processing.
4. Post-publication Withdrawal
$250 USD Administrative Fee
Withdrawal requests for formally published articles incur a $250 USD administrative fee to cover processing costs.
Fee Justification
The $250 fee covers administrative and technical costs:
- Content removal from publication platforms
- Database synchronization and updates
- Indexing service notifications
- DOI deactivation and management
- System processing and administrative work
- Scholarly record maintenance
- Citation network updates
- Permanent record archiving
Payment Requirements
- $250 USD fee must be paid prior to processing
- Multiple payment options available
- Official invoice provided for reimbursement
- 14-day payment window from approval notification
- No withdrawal processing without payment confirmation
- Fee is non-refundable once processing begins
- Payment verification required before action
- Receipt issued upon payment completion
Post-publication Withdrawal Considerations
Withdrawal after publication has substantial scholarly implications:
- Permanent Record Impact: Published articles become part of permanent scholarly record
- Citation Impact: Effects on publications that have cited the withdrawn article
- Reader Confusion: Removal may create gaps in research continuity
- Indexing Issues: Database synchronization challenges across platforms
- Alternative Solutions: Corrections or errata may be preferable to withdrawal
- Transparency Requirements: Withdrawal notices must be published
Recommendation: We ask authors to consider all alternatives (corrections, errata, expressions of concern) before requesting post-publication withdrawal, as the process carries implications beyond the immediate article.
5. Formal Withdrawal Request Process
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Formal Request: Submit written withdrawal request to editorial office
- Reason Statement: Provide detailed explanation for withdrawal
- Co-author Agreement: Attach consent letters from all authors
- Stage Assessment: Editorial office determines pre/post publication status
- Fee Notice: $250 fee notification for post-publication requests
- Payment Processing: Fee payment for post-publication withdrawals
- Withdrawal Execution: Manuscript removal from relevant systems
- Confirmation: Formal withdrawal confirmation sent to authors
Processing Timeline
Pre-publication Withdrawal:
3-5 business days for processing
Post-publication Withdrawal:
10-15 business days after payment confirmation
Payment Processing:
2-3 business days for payment verification
System Updates:
Additional 2-4 weeks for database synchronization
Email Subject: Include "Withdrawal Request" and manuscript ID for faster processing.
6. Required Documentation
Essential Documents
- Completed withdrawal request form
- Detailed withdrawal justification statement
- Signed consent statements from all co-authors
- Manuscript ID and article details
- Corresponding author contact information
- Proof of payment (for post-publication withdrawals)
Additional Requirements
- Institutional verification if required
- Evidence supporting withdrawal reason
- Post-publication payment confirmation
- Alternative contact information
- Any relevant supporting documents
- Formal request on institutional letterhead if applicable
7. Post-withdrawal Actions
System Actions
- Removal from publication platforms
- DOI deactivation and management
- Database synchronization across systems
- Indexing service notifications
- Citation network updates
- Permanent record creation and archiving
- Website content updates
- Search engine de-indexing
Notification Procedures
- Formal notice to all authors
- Institutional notifications when applicable
- Publication of withdrawal notice
- Reader notification systems activation
- Editorial board communication
- Indexing database administrators notified
- Library and repository updates
- Permanent record maintenance
Permanent Record Retention
Even after withdrawal, a record of submission, publication, and withdrawal is retained in our archives for transparency and audit purposes. Complete removal from all scholarly systems is impossible due to integrity requirements of scholarly communication.