Withdrawal Policy

The Researchers Journal of Science and Technology recognizes that authors may, in exceptional circumstances, need to withdraw a manuscript after submission. However, withdrawal is a serious decision because a manuscript that has entered the editorial and peer-review process requires the time and effort of editors, reviewers, and journal staff. Authors are therefore encouraged to consider carefully whether withdrawal is necessary and, where possible, to resolve concerns through revision or communication with the Editorial Office.

  1. Withdrawal before Publication

An author or group of authors may request the withdrawal of a manuscript that has been submitted but has not yet been published. A withdrawal request must be made formally by the corresponding author through the official journal communication channel.

The request should clearly state:

  1. the title of the manuscript;
  2. the manuscript identification number, where applicable;
  • the names of all authors; and
  1. the reason for the withdrawal.

Where a manuscript has multiple authors, the corresponding author must confirm that all co-authors are aware of and agree to the withdrawal. The journal may request confirmation from the co-authors where necessary, particularly in cases involving authorship disagreements or other ethical concerns.

  1. Withdrawal during Peer Review

Authors are discouraged from withdrawing a manuscript simply because the review process has resulted in requests for revision, criticism, or an unfavourable editorial decision. Peer review is intended to improve the quality, clarity, and scientific reliability of submitted work.

However, a manuscript may be withdrawn during peer review where there is a legitimate and clearly stated reason. Examples may include:

  1. discovery of a serious error that substantially affects the study;
  2. an authorship dispute that cannot be resolved promptly;
  • the need to address a significant ethical, legal, or research-integrity concern;
  1. an unintended duplicate submission; or
  2. other exceptional circumstances that make continued consideration of the manuscript inappropriate.

The Editorial Office may request further clarification before approving the withdrawal.

  1. Withdrawal after Acceptance but before Publication

A manuscript that has been accepted but has not yet been published may be withdrawn only for a legitimate and exceptional reason. Acceptance indicates that the manuscript has passed through the journal's editorial process and that publication arrangements may already have begun.

The journal will therefore carefully assess such requests. Where the reason for withdrawal is a minor error that can be corrected, the authors may be advised to submit a revised version rather than withdraw the manuscript.

  1. Withdrawal after Publication

Once an article has been formally published, it is considered part of the permanent scholarly record and cannot normally be withdrawn simply at the request of the authors.

If a published article contains minor errors, the journal may publish a correction or corrigendum. Where serious problems undermine the reliability, integrity, or ethical standing of the article, the journal may consider retraction in accordance with accepted scholarly publishing practices.

Possible grounds for retraction may include, but are not limited to:

  1. major errors that make the findings unreliable;
  2. fabrication or falsification of data;
  • plagiarism or substantial unattributed duplication;
  1. duplicate or redundant publication;
  2. serious authorship or contribution disputes;
  3. unethical research practices;
  • serious undisclosed conflicts of interest;
  • copyright or legal violations; or
  1. manipulation of the peer-review or publication process.

A retraction is distinct from a pre-publication withdrawal. Where retraction is necessary, the journal will maintain a transparent record of the action and provide an appropriate notice explaining the reason for the retraction.

  1. Withdrawal and Simultaneous Submission

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to another journal while it is under consideration by the Researchers Journal of Science and Technology.

Authors who wish to submit the manuscript elsewhere must first obtain formal confirmation that the manuscript has been withdrawn from the journal's editorial process. A withdrawal request alone does not necessarily constitute confirmation of withdrawal. Authors should therefore wait for acknowledgement from the Editorial Office before submitting the manuscript to another journal.

  1. Withdrawal Due to Authorship Disputes

Where a dispute arises concerning authorship, author order, or individual contributions, the journal may suspend further processing of the manuscript until the matter is resolved by the authors and, where necessary, their institution.

The journal does not normally determine authorship disputes on behalf of the authors or their institutions. The manuscript may remain on hold while the matter is being resolved.

  1. Editorial Authority

The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board where necessary, reserves the right to make the final decision on withdrawal requests and on the appropriate action to be taken in cases involving publication ethics or research integrity.

The journal is committed to handling withdrawal requests fairly, transparently, and respectfully, while protecting the integrity of the peer-review process and the scholarly record.

  1. Effective Date

This policy applies to all manuscripts submitted to the Researchers Journal of Science and Technology and may be reviewed periodically by the Editorial Board to ensure continued alignment with accepted standards of scholarly publishing and research integrity.