Article Transfer Policy
The AJMS Article Transfer Policy describes the optional transfer of a manuscript to another journal in the Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) portfolio when editors consider a different journal potentially more appropriate. Transfer occurs only with the author’s explicit consent and does not guarantee review, acceptance, faster decision-making, or publication.
1. Author Consent
Article transfer is voluntary. Manuscripts, files, metadata, and relevant editorial records are transferred only after explicit author consent. Declining a transfer invitation has no adverse effect on the author.
2. Materials That May Be Transferred
With consent, a transfer may include the manuscript, supplementary files, submission metadata, and relevant editorial records. Reviewer reports may be transferred only where this is consistent with reviewer confidentiality, applicable reviewer terms, and any required consent.
3. Independent Editorial Assessment
The receiving journal performs its own assessment against its scope, editorial criteria, ethics policies, and peer-review requirements. It may use existing reviewer reports, request additional review, start a new review process, or decline the manuscript. The receiving editor remains responsible for the final decision.
4. Reviewer Reports and Confidentiality
Where reviewer reports are transferred, they are supplied solely for legitimate editorial consideration. Transferred manuscripts, reports, and correspondence remain confidential and should be accessible only to people involved in authorised editorial handling.
5. No Guarantee and Fees
Transfer does not guarantee acceptance or accelerated publication. AJMS does not charge a transfer fee unless explicitly stated. If the receiving journal has an APC or another author-facing fee, the author should be informed of that journal’s current fee policy before consenting to transfer.
6. Editorial Independence and Conflicts of Interest
Transfer does not alter editorial standards or conflict-of-interest requirements. Editors with relevant conflicts should not decide transferred manuscripts, and the receiving journal’s final decision remains independent.
