Withdrawal Policy
This policy explains how authors can request manuscript withdrawal and the stage-based charges that may apply. The legacy JHCR policy specifies a tiered structure set by the publisher’s general body meeting, with published norms tied to editorial checkpoints.
Withdrawal refers to removal of a submitted but not yet published manuscript from editorial processing. Published content is handled through Corrections, Expressions of Concern, or Retractions and is signposted using Crossmark.
How to Request Withdrawal
- Send a formal email from the corresponding author’s registered address, quoting the manuscript ID, title, and reason for withdrawal. Where co-authors are affected (e.g., authorship dispute), attach signed statements from all authors.
- Confirm stage acknowledgement: The editorial office will identify the current stage (pre-check, post-plagiarism, post-peer review, or final proof) and reply with the applicable charge and a timeline for closure, as per the norms published on the legacy page.
- Clear dues (if any): If a charge applies, payment instructions will be provided. A formal “Withdrawal Acknowledgement” email is sent after confirmation.
- Update records: The internal workflow logs the reason, date, and stage; where relevant, conflicts or grievances are cross-referenced per the site’s policies cluster.
Who may request: Only the corresponding author may initiate withdrawal, on behalf of all authors, consistent with contributor guidance and communication practices across the site.
Editorial Stages and Published Norms
JHCR follows the publicly documented norms reproduced below from the legacy policy. Charges reflect editorial resources consumed at each checkpoint.
| Editorial Stage (Checkpoint) | What has occurred | Published Norm / Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Before plagiarism checking | Admin triage received; no similarity screening completed | $0 (no charge) |
| After plagiarism check, before external peer review | Similarity screening (e.g., iThenticate) done; no external review sent | $349 |
| After external peer review | Reports obtained; editorial synthesis underway | $549 |
| At final proof stage | Accepted; typesetting/proofing performed; DOI preparation in progress | $949 |
Why stage-based fees? These cover screening, editorial assessment, reviewer coordination, and production work already completed. They do not influence decisions on acceptance or rejection, which remain merits-based. Related public policy links (Peer Review, Plagiarism, Archiving, Open Access) are surfaced site-wide.
Ethics Safeguards and Conflicts
Withdrawal requests are sometimes associated with authorship conflicts, undisclosed overlap, or duplicate submissions. JHCR may seek clarifications, including confirmations from all authors. If misconduct indicators are present (e.g., plagiarism flagged during QC), editors may decline withdrawal and proceed with an internal investigation or notify relevant parties, following COPE-aligned practices and the site’s policy cluster.
Where withdrawal is sought to avoid an imminent adverse decision, the request and rationale are recorded in the editorial system for transparency and future audits.
Relationship to Refunds and Waivers
Withdrawal charges are separate from Article Processing Charges (APCs). Refunds, when applicable, are governed by the Refund Policy and are generally restricted after acceptance/production. The legacy Refund Policy page explains conditions and limitations, which are referenced by the site’s help menus and policy listings.
Waiver requests (for APCs) are handled under the Waiver Policy and have no bearing on editorial decisions or withdrawal determinations. The legacy waiver page specifies that up to 50% waiver may be considered for eligible authors with genuine reasons or from under-resourced countries.
Already Published? Use Crossmark Updates
Published items cannot be “withdrawn.” Where post-publication issues arise, JHCR implements Corrections, Expressions of Concern, or Retractions and updates the DOI/Crossref record so that libraries and indexers receive the authoritative status via Crossmark. The legacy Crossmark policy details requirements for corrections and retractions, including authorship change procedures.
Typical Timeline and Communication
- T+0–2 business days: Editorial office acknowledges the request, states the current stage, and (if applicable) the published fee.
- T+3–7 business days: Verification of co-author consent, screening for ethics flags, and issuance of pro-forma invoice if a charge is due.
- Upon settlement: Formal “Withdrawal Acknowledgement” and workflow closure; internal system updated to avoid inadvertent processing.
Note: Timings are indicative and may vary with public holidays or additional ethics clarifications.
Author Do’s and Don’ts
FAQs
Will inability to pay APCs affect withdrawal decisions?
No. Editorial decisions and withdrawal determinations are independent of APCs and any waiver eligibility; see Waiver Policy for separate guidance.
Can I withdraw after acceptance?
Yes, but this is the final proof stage in JHCR’s norms and attracts the highest charge due to production and DOI preparation already performed.
Can a published article be “withdrawn”?
No. Once published, issues are managed through Corrections, Expressions of Concern, or Retractions, with Crossmark signalling on the article page.
Where can I find all related policies?
Policy links (Peer Review, Plagiarism, Digital Archiving, Open Access, Grievances, Waiver, Refund) are consistently surfaced in the site navigation on issue and article pages.
How does withdrawal affect special-issue submissions?
Special-issue manuscripts follow the same norms; Guest Editors coordinate with the Journal Quality Team for fairness and documentation.
Illustrative Scenarios
Scenario A — Duplicate submission discovered post-QC: You submitted the manuscript to two journals. JHCR completed plagiarism screening but did not send for external review. You confirm withdrawal to submit elsewhere. Outcome: As per norms, the “after plagiarism check, before peer review” charge applies.
Scenario B — Authorship dispute after reviews: Two co-authors contest authorship order after peer reports arrive. The corresponding author requests withdrawal. Outcome: “After peer review” charge applies; the office may also request signed statements from all authors.
Scenario C — New clinical image permission issue at proof: During proof, you discover a missing consent form for a patient image. You request withdrawal to avoid publication. Outcome: “Final proof stage” charge applies. If already published online, handle via Correction/Retraction with Crossmark signalling.
Contact
Editorial Office – Journal of Hematology and Clinical Research (JHCR)
Heighten Science Publications Inc.
Website: https://www.hematologyresjournal.com/
Email: [email protected]