Withdrawal Policy

The Frontiers in Chemistry, Materials, and Catalysis journal, like other academic publications, would have a withdrawal policy to manage the circumstances under which authors can retract their manuscript from the publication process. This policy usually spans both pre- and post-acceptance phases of the manuscript's lifecycle. Here’s a general overview of what such a policy might entail:

  1. Pre-Acceptance Withdrawal:

    • Authors' Request: Authors can typically withdraw their manuscript at any stage before acceptance without significant consequences. This requires a formal withdrawal request in writing, explaining the reasons for the decision.
    • Editorial Consent: Withdrawal requests are generally subject to approval by the editor. The process is straightforward if the manuscript has not yet been sent for review or if reviews are incomplete.

  2. Post-Acceptance Withdrawal:

    • Consequences: Withdrawing a manuscript after acceptance is generally more complex and can have serious consequences. Some journals may impose penalties or fees, particularly if the manuscript has already been included in production schedules.
    • Legitimate Reasons: Valid reasons for post-acceptance withdrawal might include discovery of significant errors, ethical concerns, or accidental duplicate submissions.

  3. Notification and Documentation:

    • Communication: Withdrawal requests must be communicated formally and clearly, usually via email or the journal's manuscript submission system.
    • Documentation: Authors may need to provide documentation or detailed explanations supporting the withdrawal request, especially if ethical issues are involved.

  4. Record Keeping:

    • Transparency: If a paper is withdrawn after it has been published online (e.g., as an "Online First" article), the journal typically leaves a note or publishes a statement indicating that the paper was withdrawn by the authors' request, often without detailing the specific reasons unless related to an error or ethical issue.

  5. Ethical Considerations:

    • Misconduct: If withdrawal is related to ethical misconduct such as plagiarism or data falsification, the journal's response would be more severe, potentially involving retraction of the paper and notification of the authors' institutions.