Withdrawal Policy

Introduction

The Withdrawal Policy of Heighpubs Otolaryngology and Rhinology (HOR) outlines the procedures, conditions, and ethical expectations regarding the withdrawal of manuscripts. Authors are advised to submit withdrawal requests responsibly, as inappropriate withdrawal can disrupt editorial workflows and waste the efforts of editors, reviewers, and staff.

Permissible Withdrawal Stages

  • Before Peer Review: Authors may withdraw manuscripts anytime before peer review begins, without penalty.
  • During Peer Review: Withdrawal requires a written request with valid justification. Authors must acknowledge that reviewers’ time has been invested.
  • After Acceptance: Withdrawal at this stage is strongly discouraged and considered unethical unless justified (e.g., significant errors, ethical concerns).
  • After Publication: Articles cannot be “withdrawn.” Instead, HOR follows COPE guidelines for retractions or corrections.

Procedure for Requesting Withdrawal

Authors must email the editorial office ([email protected]) with:

  • Manuscript title and ID
  • Names of all authors
  • Reason for withdrawal
  • Signed statement from the corresponding author confirming agreement of all co-authors

Unethical Withdrawal

The following are considered unethical practices:

  • Withdrawing to submit the same manuscript to another journal simultaneously
  • Repeated withdrawals after peer review without strong justification
  • Failure to communicate withdrawal requests through official channels

Such cases may result in sanctions, including bans on future submissions.

Penalties for Unethical Withdrawal

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript
  • Bans on submission for a defined period (up to 2 years)
  • Notification of authors’ institutions or funders
  • Record-keeping of withdrawal for transparency

Example: If authors withdraw a manuscript after peer review without explanation, and the same work is later found published elsewhere, HOR will report the misconduct to the authors’ institutions and funders.

Author Responsibilities

  • Ensure all co-authors agree to withdrawal requests
  • Submit written, signed confirmation for withdrawal
  • Avoid duplicate submissions to other journals while under review
  • Respect the time invested by editors and reviewers

Editorial Responsibilities

  • Respond promptly to withdrawal requests
  • Ensure documentation is complete before approving withdrawal
  • Report unethical withdrawal behavior following COPE guidelines

Post-Publication Issues

Once an article is published, withdrawal is not possible. Instead, HOR follows one of the following COPE-sanctioned actions:

  • Correction: For minor errors that do not alter scientific validity
  • Retraction: For unreliable or unethical work
  • Expression of Concern: For unresolved ethical investigations

FAQs

Can I withdraw my manuscript after acceptance?

Only under exceptional circumstances (e.g., major errors or ethical concerns) with written justification.

What happens if co-authors disagree on withdrawal?

Withdrawal cannot proceed without unanimous agreement of all listed co-authors.

Is there a penalty for withdrawing before review?

No, authors may freely withdraw manuscripts before peer review begins.

What if an article must be removed for legal reasons?

HOR follows COPE and legal guidance; content may be retracted with a public notice but not “deleted.”

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