Withdrawal Policy

1. Introduction

The Research Journal for Social Affairs (RJSA) recognizes that unforeseen circumstances may arise during the publication process, necessitating the withdrawal of a manuscript by the author(s). This policy outlines the procedures and consequences of manuscript withdrawal at various stages of the review and publication process.

2. Grounds for Withdrawal

Authors may withdraw their manuscript at any time before publication for the following reasons:

  • Discovery of errors or flaws: If the author(s) identify significant errors or flaws in their research that require further investigation or revision, they may withdraw the manuscript to address these issues.
  • Ethical concerns: If the author(s) become aware of ethical concerns regarding their research or its publication, they may withdraw the manuscript.
  • Change in research direction: If the author(s) decide to pursue a different research direction or project, they may withdraw the manuscript.
  • Duplicate submission: If the manuscript has been inadvertently submitted to multiple journals simultaneously, the author(s) may withdraw it from RJSA.
  • Funding withdrawal: If the author(s) lose funding necessary to complete the research and publication process, they may withdraw the manuscript.

3. Withdrawal Procedures

To withdraw a manuscript, the author(s) must submit a formal written request to the Editor-in-Chief. The request should clearly state the reason for withdrawal and the manuscript title and reference number.

4. Consequences of Withdrawal

The consequences of manuscript withdrawal will depend on the stage of the review and publication process at the time of withdrawal:

  • Before peer-review: There are no consequences for withdrawal before peer-review. The manuscript will be removed from the submission system and no further action is required.
  • After peer-review but before editorial decision: If the manuscript is withdrawn after peer-review but before the editorial decision, the author(s) will be notified of the reviewers' comments. They may choose to use these comments to improve their manuscript for submission to another journal.
  • After editorial decision but before publication: If the manuscript is withdrawn after the editorial decision has been made but before publication, the author(s) will be responsible for any costs incurred up to that point, such as publication fees. They may also be subject to a period of ineligibility for submitting to RJSA in the future.
  • After publication: Withdrawal is not possible after the manuscript has been published. However, the author(s) may request a retraction if there are serious concerns about the published work.

5. Appeals

Authors who disagree with the decision of the Editor-in-Chief regarding their withdrawal request may appeal to the Editorial Board. The appeal should be submitted in writing and should explain the reasons for the appeal. The Editorial Board will review the appeal and make a final decision.

6. Confidentiality

RJSA will maintain the confidentiality of all withdrawal requests and will not disclose the reasons for withdrawal to anyone outside of the editorial team, unless required by law.