Manuscript Withdrawal Policy
Last updated 1/4/2025
1. Introduction
The Infectious Disease Journal of Pakistan (Infect Dis J Pak) has a Manuscript Withdrawal Policy that specifies the steps and rules for authors seeking to retract their submissions. This process ensures clarity, fairness, and adherence to ethical guidelines.
2. Grounds for Manuscript Withdrawal
2.1 Author-Requested Withdrawal: Writers can ask to withdraw their submitted manuscript due to several reasons, including mistakes, adjustments in authorship, or unexpected situations.
2.2 Ethical Concerns: Manuscripts can be retracted if ethical issues emerge, including problems like research misconduct, plagiarism, or other breaches of ethical standards.
2.3 Editorial or Peer Review Concerns: If major concerns arise during the review process that necessitate removal, manuscripts may be withdrawn.
3. Author Responsibility
3.1 Withdrawal Request: Authors must send an official email request to the editorial office to withdraw their submission, providing a clear explanation for the withdrawal.
3.2 Ethical Considerations: Authors should follow ethical guidelines and ensure the information they provide is truthful when submitting a withdrawal request, particularly in cases involving ethical issues.
4. Editorial Consideration
4.1 Evaluation of Withdrawal Request: The editorial team reviews withdrawal requests to assess their legitimacy and the reasons behind them.
4.2 Ethical Concerns: If ethical issues arise, the editorial team might consult relevant committees or specialists to review the matter and reach well-considered conclusions.
5. Notification of Withdrawal
5.1 Notification to Authors: Authors receive immediate notification regarding the withdrawal of their manuscript, including an explanation for the decision.
5.2 Transparency: If relevant, the journal might release an official announcement or notification to clarify the retraction and its causes to the audience.
6. Handling Withdrawals during Peer Review
6.1 Early-Stage Withdrawals: If a withdrawal request is made early in the initial review, the manuscript may be withdrawn without further review.
6.2 Post-Review Withdrawals: If the manuscript has been peer-reviewed, the editorial team will inform the Author's Department/Institute. If simultaneous or duplicate submission is detected, HEC/PM&DC will be notified.
7. Handling Withdrawals Post-Publication
7.1 Correction or Retraction: If the manuscript has been published and subsequent issues are identified, the journal may issue corrections or retractions as appropriate, following established guidelines.
7.2 Ethical Violations: If withdrawal is related to ethical violations post-publication, appropriate actions will be taken, and relevant authorities may be notified.
8. Record-Keeping
8.1 Documentation: Records of manuscript withdrawals, along with the reasons, will be maintained by the editorial office for documentation and transparency.
8.2 Confidentiality: Withdrawal requests and related communications will be handled with confidentiality, respecting the privacy of the authors.
9. Review and Updates
This policy will be periodically reviewed to ensure its effectiveness. Updates will be made as necessary to enhance the handling of manuscript withdrawals in alignment with ethical standards.
The Manuscript Withdrawal Policy of Infect Dis J Pak provides a structured framework for authors and the editorial team to manage withdrawals transparently, ethically, and in accordance with established guidelines.
