Withdrawal Policy

The Frontiers in Robotics and Automation journal likely has a clear and structured withdrawal policy to manage the circumstances under which authors can withdraw their manuscripts from the publication process. This policy ensures transparency and fairness for all parties, including authors, editors, and reviewers.

Pre-Acceptance Withdrawal: Authors can typically request to withdraw their manuscript at any stage before acceptance without significant consequences. Such requests must be made formally in writing to the editorial office, explaining the reason for the withdrawal. If the manuscript has not yet undergone peer review, the withdrawal process is generally straightforward. However, if the manuscript is already under review, the editors may require confirmation from all authors to ensure that the withdrawal is a collective decision.

Post-Acceptance Withdrawal: Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, withdrawing it becomes more complex. Authors must provide a compelling reason, such as critical errors discovered in the data or ethical concerns. Withdrawal at this stage may result in penalties, particularly if the article has already entered production or is prepared for online publication. In some cases, the journal may refuse the withdrawal if it significantly disrupts the publication process.

Published Articles: If an article has already been published online, withdrawal is not an option. Instead, the journal may issue a retraction, typically reserved for severe issues such as ethical misconduct, plagiarism, or data falsification. Retraction notices are published to maintain transparency in the academic record, explaining the reason for the article's removal.

The withdrawal process emphasizes formal communication and documentation. Authors are expected to notify the journal promptly and adhere to its guidelines for withdrawal requests. Editors may also evaluate whether ethical concerns, such as dual submission or potential misconduct, are involved.

For the specific details of the withdrawal policy of the Frontiers in Robotics and Automation, it is recommended to consult the journal’s website or contact the editorial office directly. This ensures clarity on the conditions and implications of withdrawing a manuscript at various stages of the publication process.