Brieflands

Withdrawal vs. Retraction: Understanding the Differences

Last updated 2 September, 2026 | 20:12

What is the difference between a withdrawn article and a retracted article in Brieflands journals?

To find out more about the probable coverage of retraction and withdrawal of an article, we describe their similarities and differences below.

Withdrawal and retraction are not the only options. A finally published article may also be corrected, or made the subject of an Expression of Concern, and in the rare cases required by law it may be removed. Withdrawal applies only before an article is finally published, including while it is Ahead of Print.

 

Withdrawal

Retraction

DefinitionTake back an article from a journal, either by the Author or EIC, just before final publishing or in "In press."Publishing a new related article defining that a previously published one is not correct or needs a change
Old PDF Format of the articleWill be removedIt will remain only after adding a watermark on each page, saying the article has been retracted.
Old HTML Format of the article
  • Nothing will remain except title, authors, and affiliations.
  • An additional "[Withdrawn Article]" will be added to the beginning of the title.
  • The body of the article will be changed to "This article is withdrawn by EIC or Authors request."
  • The article will be published in a regular issue.
  • The abstract will remain.
  • The body of the article will be changed to "This article is retracted by EIC or Authors request."
  • An additional "[Retracted Article]" will be added to the beginning of the title.
  • A link to the retraction note will be available and working.
Indexing Sources?

PMC (SOURCE):

  • A WITHDRAWN: text will be added to the beginning
  • The abstract will be replaced with Ahead of Print article withdrawn by the publisher.

PMC (SOURCE):

  • A new article with the exact reason for retraction will be published.
  • The old article's text and citations will remain unchanged unless an updated note indicates Retraction in JOURNAL. YEAR MONTH; VOL(ISSUE): eID.

 

The old article's status might be

In any state which is not finally published yet, such as:

  • Pre-Review
  • Peer Review
  • Pre-Publish
  • In Press Published (Ahead of Print)
Final Published (Article is published with Vol/Issue)
A New Article isNot requiredRequired and must be from the type of RETRACTION
GuidelinesPubMed / COPE CasesPubMed / COPE
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