The Healthcare Quality Professionals Journal (HQPJ) recognizes that authors may occasionally need to withdraw a manuscript because of significant errors, ethical concerns, duplicate submission, authorship disputes, changes in research circumstances, or other legitimate reasons.
This Article Withdrawal Policy explains the circumstances under which a manuscript may be withdrawn and distinguishes withdrawal of an unpublished manuscript from correction or retraction of an article that has already entered the published scholarly record.
What Is Article Withdrawal?
Article withdrawal refers to the formal discontinuation of the editorial processing of an unpublished manuscript before it becomes part of the final published scholarly record. Once withdrawal is formally confirmed by the journal, the manuscript will no longer proceed through the normal editorial, peer-review, revision, acceptance, or publication process.
Legitimate Reasons for Requesting Withdrawal Include:
- Significant errors discovered in research data or analysis
- Accidental or duplicate submission to multiple journals
- Authorship disputes requiring institutional resolution
- Ethical concerns identified by the authors post-submission
- Problems relating to patient consent, confidentiality, or privacy
- Underlying data integrity or methodological problems
- Institutional, legal, or intellectual-property restrictions
- Changes in research circumstances or funder mandates
- Inability to address substantive peer-review requirements
- Other adequately explained scholarly circumstances
Withdrawal Rules by Manuscript Stage
1. Before & During Peer Review
Before Review: Corresponding author sends a written request providing a clear reason. The manuscript is not withdrawn until formally confirmed.
During Review: Authors must provide a substantive explanation as reviewer resources are already committed. The office closes active review upon verification.
2. Revision, Acceptance & Post-Publication
During Revision: Communicated by the corresponding author if authors decide not to continue.
After Acceptance: Requires substantive justification as production is underway.
Already Published: Managed via formal Correction or Retraction, not simple withdrawal.
Author Agreement & Request Requirements
The corresponding author submits the request on behalf of all authors. Co-authors must be informed and may be asked to provide written confirmation to ensure full consent and avoid authorship disputes.
- Manuscript Title & ID Number (if available)
- Names of Corresponding Author & Co-authors
- Current Stage & Date of Submission
- Clear, detailed reason for withdrawal request
Withdrawal Procedure
Request Submitted
Corresponding author submits a formal written withdrawal request to the journal.
Request Verified
Editorial office verifies manuscript identity, processing stage, and author agreement.
Editorial Assessment
Evaluates whether research integrity or ethical issues require additional review.
Confirmation Sent
If approved, formal confirmation is communicated to the corresponding author.
Processing Closed
Manuscript is removed from active processing and recorded appropriately in archives.
Special Considerations & Integrity Reviews
Ethics & Misconduct
Withdrawal requests do not stop ongoing investigations into fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or confidentiality breaches. Records may be retained for integrity assessments.
Authorship Disputes
If co-authors disagree on withdrawal or authorship order, editorial processing is placed on hold until written clarification or institutional resolution is provided.
Patient Privacy & Data
Requests involving patient identity leaks, consent concerns, or clinical safety issues are handled urgently with extra safeguards to protect confidentiality.
Withdrawal Status Guide
| Manuscript Stage | Appropriate Action & Procedure |
|---|---|
| Submitted / Screening | Formal withdrawal request may be submitted and processed quickly. |
| Under Peer Review | Formal request required with appropriate reason; review closed upon editorial confirmation. |
| Revision Stage | Authors may request withdrawal with explanation if unable to continue. |
| Accepted / Pre-Publication | Requires substantive reason, all-author agreement, and thorough editorial review. |
| Published | Managed via Correction, Expression of Concern, or Retraction—not simple withdrawal. |
Withdrawal of an unpublished manuscript from Healthcare Quality Professionals Journal (HQPJ) requires a formal request and journal confirmation. Articles already formally published are ordinarily managed through applicable post-publication procedures rather than simple withdrawal. Withdrawal does not prevent the journal from addressing serious research-integrity, ethical, legal, authorship, confidentiality, or publication-record concerns that require further consideration.