Article Transfer Policy

The article transfer policy facilitates the movement of manuscripts between journals within publishing networks or external journals with established transfer agreements, providing authors with alternative publication opportunities when their submissions may be better suited for different journals. Transfer eligibility requires manuscripts to meet fundamental scientific rigor standards, demonstrate clear alignment with the receiving journal's subject areas and scope, and involve comprehensive author consent from all contributing researchers. While original peer review reports from the transferring journal are considered during the evaluation process, they are not binding on the receiving journal's editorial decisions, allowing for independent assessment based on the new journal's specific criteria and standards.

The transfer process follows a structured timeline designed to maintain efficiency while respecting author autonomy and editorial independence. When a transferring editor identifies a manuscript that would be more appropriate for an alternative journal, they make formal recommendations and initiate contact with authors within five business days of the editorial decision. Authors then have ten days to accept or decline the transfer opportunity, during which time they can evaluate whether the suggested journal aligns with their publication goals and research objectives. Upon author acceptance, the complete manuscript package including original reviews, editorial correspondence, and all supplementary materials is transferred securely to the receiving journal, which then conducts its own independent editorial assessment.

Important conditions govern the transfer process to ensure realistic expectations and protect author rights throughout the procedure. The transfer provides no guarantee of acceptance at the receiving journal, as each publication maintains independent editorial standards and review processes that may result in different outcomes. Additionally, the transfer does not expedite the review timeline, and authors should expect the receiving journal to follow its standard editorial procedures and peer review timeframes. Authors retain full autonomy to withdraw their manuscript from the transfer process and submit elsewhere if they choose, while the original submission date is preserved for priority purposes, protecting authors' claims to research precedence. This comprehensive policy balances editorial flexibility with author rights, facilitating appropriate manuscript placement while maintaining the integrity of peer review processes across participating journals.

This policy applies to manuscripts transferred from other journals within our publishing network or external journals with transfer agreements.

Transfer Eligibility
• Quality Standards: Manuscripts must meet basic scientific rigor requirements
• Scope Alignment: Research must fit within journal's subject areas
• Previous Review: Original peer review reports will be considered but not binding
• Author Consent: All authors must agree to transfer and new journal submission

Transfer Process
i.          Editor Decision: Transferring editor recommends suitable alternative journal
ii.         Author Notification: Authors contacted within 5 business days

iii.        Consent Required: Authors have 10 days to accept/decline transfer
iv.        Document Transfer: Manuscript, reviews, and correspondence transferred            securely
v.         New Review: Receiving journal conducts independent editorial assessment

Conditions
•           No guarantee of acceptance at receiving journal
•           Transfer does not expedite review process
•           Authors retain right to withdraw and submit elsewhere
•           Original submission date preserved for priority purposes