Charges Policy
The Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (CJOG) follows a transparent, ethical, and globally compliant charges framework based on established open-access standards. This Charges Policy outlines all financial components associated with manuscript processing, optional services, reprints, administrative requests, and post-publication corrections. It ensures that authors understand the cost structure clearly and are able to make informed decisions in alignment with DOAJ, COPE, and global open-access transparency norms.
Purpose of the Charges Policy
This policy ensures:
- Clear communication of publication-related fees
- Compliance with global open-access accountability standards
- Ethical billing practices with no hidden charges
- Fair cost allocation to maintain editorial and production quality
- Support for sustainable open-access publishing
Primary Article Processing Charges (APC)
CJOG is a Gold Open Access journal. All accepted articles are published under CC BY 4.0 and are made freely available immediately upon publication. To support editorial and production workflows, the following APC structure applies:
| Article Type | APC (USD) | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Research Article / Review Article | $2949 | Full peer review, copyediting, typesetting, online hosting, DOI, archiving |
| Short Communication / Case Study | $2949 | Peer review, technical editing, production, indexing |
| Case Report / Clinical Trial Report | $2949 | Advanced review processing + production |
| Editorial / Opinion / Commentary | $2949 | Editing, hosting, indexing |
APCs apply only after the manuscript is formally accepted for publication. No submission fee or review fee is charged.
What APC Covers
The APC supports extensive editorial and production services including:
- Initial editorial assessment and plagiarism screening
- Coordination of peer review with subject experts
- Detailed editorial and quality checks
- Professional copyediting and layout formatting
- PDF and HTML production
- DOI assignment and Crossref registration
- Permanent archiving via Portico and LOCKSS
- OAI-PMH metadata distribution
- Indexing in scholarly databases
No Hidden Charges
CJOG maintains a strict zero hidden fees policy. Authors are never charged for:
- Submission or initial review
- Revisions
- Resubmissions
- Basic color figures
- HTML/PDF access
- Editorial guidance
Optional and Special Services (If Requested)
These services are optional and apply only upon author request.
| Service | Description | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Fast-Track Review | Accelerated peer review (7–10 days) | $199 |
| Professional Language Editing | Comprehensive grammar and syntax improvement | $149 |
| Figure Redrawing / Scientific Illustration | High-resolution redraws of complex figures | $49 per figure |
| Data Visualization Services | Creation of scientific charts and graphical abstracts | $79 per item |
| Print Copy of Published Article | Hardbound reprint with color printing | $59 + shipping |
| Print Issue Copy | Print version of the complete issue | $129 + shipping |
Post-Publication Administrative Charges
1. Corrections (Erratum/Corrigendum)
Minor errors introduced by the authors may require administrative updates.
- No charge for journal-initiated or publisher-initiated corrections
- $45 fee for author-initiated correction requests after publication
2. Author Name, Affiliation, or ORCID Changes
- Up to 30 days post-publication: free
- After 30 days: $35 administrative fee
3. Retraction/Removal/Replacement Processing
Retraction notices are always free and remain open access.
- Retraction due to author error: no fee
- Retraction due to author misconduct: no refund and may incur administrative fees based on investigation
Refunds and Cancellation of Charges
Refunds follow the separate Refund Policy page. Key principles include:
- Full refund for duplicate payments
- Full refund for APC charged in error
- Partial refund if authors withdraw with ethical justification before production
- No refund after publication
Waiver and Discount Considerations
CJOG offers waivers through its Waiver Policy page. Waivers may be granted for:
- Authors from low-income or lower-middle-income countries (World Bank classification)
- Early-career researchers without funding
- Authors with demonstrated financial hardship
- High-impact manuscripts based on editorial discretion
Waivers do not influence editorial decisions and are processed only after acceptance.
Charges for Withdrawal Requests
If a manuscript is withdrawn after substantive editorial or peer review work, administrative charges may apply:
| Stage | Charge | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Before Review | $0 | Free withdrawal |
| During Review | $99 | Covers reviewer and editorial processing |
| After Acceptance | $149 | Post-acceptance withdrawal requires cost adjustment |
| After Production Begins | Up to 40% of APC | Deducted due to production costs already incurred |
Examples of Charge Scenarios
| Scenario | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Author withdraws before review | No charge |
| Article accepted; author requests withdrawal | Partial charge applies |
| Technical error by journal leads to republishing | No charge for authors |
| Author requests figure redesign | Optional service fee charged |
| Duplicate APC payment | Full refund |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any subscription or access fees?
No. CJOG is fully open access.
Do authors pay for color figures?
No, color publication is free.
Is APC required before peer review?
No. APC is only payable after acceptance.
Are waivers available for all article types?
Yes, subject to editorial approval.
Are APCs refundable?
Refer to the Refund Policy; refunds depend on the stage and reason.
Conclusion
CJOG maintains complete fee transparency to uphold author trust, financial accountability, and global open-access standards. By outlining all charges clearly and ensuring that fees never compromise editorial independence, the journal provides a fair and ethical environment for scholarly publishing.