This expanded and modernized Withdrawal Policy draws upon principles reflected in the earlier version on the predecessor site and incorporates updated international publishing norms to protect the integrity of the academic process.

Definition of Manuscript Withdrawal

A manuscript withdrawal refers to a formal request by authors to remove their submission from the journal’s editorial workflow after it has already been submitted. Withdrawal may occur:

Before peer review
During peer review
After acceptance but before proofing
After proofing but before publication

Once a paper is published and assigned a DOI, it cannot be “withdrawn”; instead, appropriate mechanisms such as retraction or correction are used.

When Authors May Request Withdrawal

Authors may request withdrawal under the following legitimate circumstances:

Unintentional duplicate submission to another journal
Major errors discovered in methodology or data
Ethical concerns requiring investigation
Inability to provide required documentation (e.g., ethics approval)
Technical issues in submission leading to incorrect files
Author disagreement that cannot be reconciled

Withdrawal is not permitted simply because:

Authors wish to submit to a higher-impact journal
Authors anticipate negative reviewer comments
The work no longer matches their preferences

Author Responsibilities When Requesting Withdrawal

To withdraw a manuscript, authors must:

Submit a formal withdrawal request via the registered email address
Include manuscript ID, title, corresponding author name, and reason for withdrawal
Obtain written consent from all co-authors
Accept any applicable administrative processing charges

Incomplete withdrawal requests may cause delays or refusal of withdrawal.

Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial office will:

Acknowledge withdrawal requests within 2–5 working days
Verify authorship and co-author consent
Review the stage of processing and applicable policies
Notify reviewers (if applicable)
Confirm withdrawal in writing once all requirements are met

Editors may decline a withdrawal request if publication ethics concerns exist and require investigation.

Withdrawal Stages and Associated Conditions

Stage of Manuscript	Withdrawal Conditions	Applicable Charges
Before Editorial Screening	Permitted; minimal impact.	No charges.
After Editorial Screening but Before Peer Review	Permitted with explanation.	No charges unless excessive revisions have been processed.
During Peer Review	Permitted only with strong justification since reviewer effort is involved.	Administrative fee may apply.
After Peer Review but Before Acceptance	Allowed only under exceptional circumstances.	Moderate administrative charges may apply.
After Acceptance	Strongly discouraged; may damage editorial workflow.	Withdrawal fee applies due to completed editorial work.
After Proofing but Before Online Publication	Usually denied unless ethical or legal reasons exist.	Production charges apply.

Why Withdrawal Charges Exist

Withdrawal charges are not punitive; they cover:

Editorial time and administrative labor
Reviewer efforts already invested
System management and metadata work
Production processes completed

These charges reflect international norms in academic publishing.

Improper or Unethical Withdrawal

Certain withdrawal behaviors constitute academic misconduct, including:

Withdrawing to submit the same manuscript elsewhere without permission
Not responding to editorial communication after peer review
Attempting to halt publication after acceptance due to preference changes
Submitting duplicate manuscripts and withdrawing one without disclosure

APMH may impose sanctions, including:

Temporary submission bans
Permanent bans for severe cases
Notifications to affiliated institutions
Notifying other journals of misconduct (as per COPE)

Withdrawal Request Format

Authors must include the following in their request:

Subject: Withdrawal Request – Manuscript ID: APMH-XXXX Body: • Manuscript ID • Manuscript Title • Corresponding Author Name • Reason for Withdrawal • Statement of unanimous approval by all co-authors • Digital signatures or confirmation emails from all co-authors

Unauthorized Withdrawal

If authors stop responding after peer review or acceptance, the manuscript is considered an unauthorized withdrawal.

APMH may take the following actions:

Marking the manuscript as “Withdrawn Without Permission” internally
Preventing future submissions for a defined period
Reporting the incident to institutions or funding bodies

Withdrawal After Publication

A published manuscript cannot be withdrawn. Instead:

Retraction is used for misconduct or invalid results
Correction is used for honest errors
Expression of Concern is used for uncertain ethical issues

These processes preserve transparency and protect scientific integrity.

Real-World Scenario

Scenario: A team submits a manuscript describing outcomes of a mental health survey involving adolescents. During peer review, the authors discover that one dataset included unpublished institutional identifiers requiring re-consent. They request withdrawal, providing documentation and co-author approval. APMH approves the early-stage withdrawal without charges, ensuring ethical research practices are upheld.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I withdraw my manuscript to submit elsewhere?: Yes, but only before peer review and with full disclosure.
Q: Will I be charged if I withdraw after acceptance?: Yes. Editorial and production work must be compensated.
Q: What if co-authors disagree about withdrawal?: The manuscript cannot be withdrawn until unanimous consent is provided.
Q: Can withdrawal be reversed later?: Yes, but only before editorial confirmation is issued.
Q: What happens if an author disappears during review?: The manuscript may be rejected, flagged, or sanctioned depending on circumstances.

Conclusion

The Withdrawal Policy at APMH exists to maintain ethical publishing practices, respect reviewer labor, protect editorial resources, and uphold the integrity of the scholarly record. By establishing transparent guidelines and clear procedures for withdrawal at every stage, the journal ensures fairness, accountability, and professional responsibility for all parties involved.