Withdrawal of Manuscript

Computers in Earth Science Letters (CESL) recognizes that, in exceptional circumstances, authors may request to withdraw a manuscript from consideration. This policy outlines the conditions, procedures, and responsibilities associated with manuscript withdrawal to maintain the integrity of the scholarly publishing process.

Conditions for Withdrawal

A manuscript may only be withdrawn under legitimate and justifiable circumstances, including but not limited to:

  • Discovery of significant errors in data or methodology prior to publication

  • Duplicate submission to another journal

  • Ethical concerns, such as undisclosed conflicts of interest or research misconduct

  • Author(s) inability to provide final revisions or meet publication requirements

Manuscripts may not be withdrawn to avoid negative peer review comments or decisions, as this constitutes unethical behavior.

Procedure for Withdrawal

  1. The corresponding author must submit a formal withdrawal request in writing to the editorial office, stating the reasons for withdrawal.

  2. The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board if necessary, will review the request to ensure it meets ethical standards and journal policy.

  3. Approval of withdrawal will be communicated formally to all authors and, if applicable, reviewers who have already been assigned.

Responsibilities of Authors

  • All co-authors must agree to the withdrawal request, and confirmation may be requested by the editorial office.

  • Authors must ensure that the manuscript has not been published elsewhere or simultaneously submitted to another journal without proper withdrawal from CESL.

Consequences of Improper Withdrawal

  • Manuscripts withdrawn without valid reasons, or in violation of ethical guidelines, may be flagged in the journal’s records.

  • Repeat or deliberate misuse of the withdrawal process may result in restrictions on future submissions to CESL.

Withdrawal After Acceptance

Withdrawal of a manuscript after formal acceptance is strongly discouraged. If unavoidable, the journal may require a formal explanation and may publicly note the withdrawal to maintain transparency and protect the integrity of the scientific record.

Editorial Oversight

CESL editors are responsible for ensuring that all withdrawal requests are handled fairly, promptly, and in accordance with COPE guidelines. Withdrawal is considered a serious action and must be documented in the journal’s records.