Refund Policy

Refund Policy for Meritorious Journal of Social Sciences and Management (MJSSM)

The Refund Policy of the Meritorious Journal of Social Sciences and Management (MJSSM) outlines the conditions under which authors may be eligible for a refund of any submission or publication fees paid to the journal. This policy ensures fairness and transparency in handling such requests and provides clear guidelines for authors seeking refunds.

Key aspects of the Refund Policy include:

1. Refund Eligibility

• Refunds are available only under specific circumstances, such as:
  • Rejection of Manuscript: If a manuscript is rejected at any stage of the review process (pre-peer review, after peer review, or post-acceptance), the author may be eligible for a refund of submission or processing fees, minus any administrative costs incurred by the journal.
  • Withdrawal of Manuscript: Authors who request the withdrawal of their manuscript before it enters the peer review process may be eligible for a full refund of submission fees.
  • Administrative or Technical Errors: If the journal makes an error during the submission or publication process that affects the integrity or timeline of the article, the author may be eligible for a partial or full refund.

2. Non-Refundable Fees

• Once a manuscript is accepted for publication, no refund will be issued for any publication fees already paid, as these funds cover the costs of editorial processing, production, and publishing.
• No refund will be issued if the manuscript has already been published online or in print. The costs associated with the finalization and publication of the article are non-refundable once the article is officially published.
• Administrative Fees: Any small administrative fees (e.g., handling or processing fees) that were paid at the time of submission may not be refundable, depending on the specific circumstances.

3. Conditions for Refund Requests

• Authors requesting a refund must submit a formal written request to the journal’s editorial office, explaining the reason for the request.
• The request must be submitted within a specific time frame. Typically, refund requests should be made within 30 days of the manuscript's rejection, withdrawal, or any journal error that warrants a refund.
• The journal will review the request and determine eligibility based on the stage of the manuscript’s processing and the reason for the request.

4. Partial Refunds

• In cases where the manuscript has progressed through some stages of the review or publication process, partial refunds may be granted. These refunds will be determined based on the work already completed by the editorial team, reviewers, and production staff.
• For example:
  • If the manuscript is withdrawn after peer review but before final acceptance, the refund will likely be partial due to the review process and editorial work already carried out.
  • Similarly, if there is an issue with the article’s formatting or production post-acceptance, a partial refund may be considered.

5. Refund Process

• Authors must request a refund in writing via email or through the journal’s submission system, providing clear details about the manuscript and the reason for the request.
• The editorial team will assess the request, taking into account the submission stage, the amount of editorial work completed, and the specific circumstances surrounding the withdrawal or rejection.
• The journal will process the refund request within a reasonable timeframe (typically 4–6 weeks from receipt of the request).
• Refunds will be issued via the original payment method used by the author (e.g., credit card, bank transfer, PayPal). In cases where this is not possible, alternative arrangements may be made.

6. Non-Refundable Situations

• Accepted and Published Manuscripts: Once a manuscript is accepted and published, no refund will be provided. The publication process, including final editing, typesetting, and digital publication, incurs fixed costs that cannot be refunded after publication.
• Rejection After Peer Review: If a manuscript is rejected after peer review and the author chooses to submit a revised version, the submission fee paid initially will not be refunded unless a specific error or issue occurred on the part of the journal’s editorial team.

7. Disputes and Complaints

• If the author disagrees with the decision regarding the refund, they may submit a formal complaint to the journal’s editorial board. The board will review the situation and may offer a resolution based on the specifics of the case.
• All decisions made by the editorial board regarding refunds are final, and the authors are expected to comply with the terms set by the journal.