International Journal of Cell Biology and Cellular Functions (IJCBCF) understands the importance of upholding the integrity and completeness of the scholarly record for its readership. We are committed to maintaining trust in the authority of our electronic archive.
IJCBCF adheres to the fundamental principle of scholarly communication, which places the sole and independent responsibility for manuscript decisions on the editor(s) of the journal. This commitment is further strengthened by the policies established by the IJCBCF's editorial board and is subject to legal obligations regarding issues such as libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism.
Article withdrawal, retraction, removal, or replacement are actions reserved for exceptional circumstances, where clear evidence exists of ethical violations, serious errors, or misconduct in published research articles. The responsibility for maintaining the publication record lies with the editor, who is guided by the IJCBCF's editorial board policies and legal requirements regarding libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. Once an article has been published, it becomes part of the scholarly archive, serving as a permanent record of scholarly transactions, and published articles are expected to remain unaltered as much as possible.
01 Withdrawal
Article Withdrawal
Pre-publicationExceptional UseEthics & Compliance
Article withdrawal is used when a manuscript is taken out of the publication process before, or very shortly after, acceptance. It is reserved for situations where serious issues are identified with the manuscript or its submission.
Article withdrawal may be requested by authors, conference organizers, or third parties, or initiated by IJCBCF when concerns arise. It is intended to prevent the progression of manuscripts that could compromise ethical standards, legal obligations, or the reliability of the scientific record.
Scenariosâ–¶
- Ethical violations: data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.
- Serious errors: inaccuracies that invalidate findings.
- Compromised peer review: fraud, manipulation, or undisclosed COIs/funding.
- Legal issues: copyright infringement, libel, or other legal risks.
- Safety concerns: potential risk to public health or safety.
Consequencesâ–¶
- No penalty if withdrawn within one week of acknowledgment email.
- Penalty applies if sent to reviewers.
- Written letter and withdrawal charge required.
- Formal withdrawal letter issued after payment.
- Authors may submit other manuscripts per guidelines.
Measuresâ–¶
- Verify copyright, prior approvals, and single submission.
- Obtain consent from all co-authors/supervisors.
- Avoid redundant/duplicate submissions.
05 Expressions
Expressions of Concern
Interim NoticeUnder Investigation
Expressions of Concern are issued when evidence suggests unreliability or ethical problems, but investigations are ongoing.
- Unresolved ethics compliance issues.
- Potential misconduct under investigation.
- Data integrity concerns.
- Legal disputes affecting status.
Grounds for Issuingâ–¶
- Allegations/evidence of misconduct (fabrication, falsification, plagiarism).
- Pending correction of substantial errors.
- Ethical concerns with participants, consent, or welfare.
- Disputes over authorship/COI/funding affecting interpretation.
- Ongoing external investigations.
Process and Resolutionâ–¶
Preliminary assessment: Editorial team reviews and may consult authors/institutions/experts.
Notification & response: Corresponding author is informed and can respond.
Issuing the Expression: If concerns remain, IJCBCF issues an Expression of Concern.
Linking & access: Expression is linked to the article and made freely accessible.
06 Requests
Requesting Article Changes
Author RequestsFormal Process
To request withdrawal, retraction, removal, or replacement, submit clear, documented requests via official channels.
- Contact the journal: Provide title, authors, DOI, requested action, and brief rationale.
- Submit documentation: Formal letter + supporting evidence where applicable.
- Assessment & decision: IJCBCF/publisher reviews; seeks input as needed.
- Formal confirmation: If approved, letters issued and records updated.
- If declined: An explanation is provided.
Some requests may incur fees (e.g., withdrawal or replacement). Review the current fee policy before submitting.
