The journal is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and accountability in all editorial and publishing processes. Authors, reviewers, and readers have the right to submit complaints or appeals regarding editorial decisions, peer review procedures, or ethical concerns.

 

Scope of Complaints

Complaints may relate to:

• Alleged breaches of publication ethics
• Editorial process concerns
• Peer review conduct or quality
• Delays in manuscript processing
• Communication issues with the editorial office
• Suspected conflicts of interest or bias

All complaints are treated seriously and handled in a confidential and impartial manner.

 

Submission of Complaints

Complaints must be submitted in writing to the editorial office and should include detailed information and relevant evidence supporting the claim. Anonymous complaints may be considered at the discretion of the Editorial Board if sufficient information is provided.

 

Investigation Procedure

Upon receipt, the Editorial Board acknowledges the complaint and initiates an internal review. Where necessary, additional information may be requested from authors, reviewers, or editors involved in the case. The investigation is conducted in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.

 

Appeals Policy

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions, including rejection or requests for major revision. Appeals must be based on clear scientific or procedural arguments rather than disagreement with editorial judgement.

The appeal process includes:

• Submission of a formal appeal letter with justification
• Independent re-evaluation of the manuscript by the Editor-in-Chief or an assigned senior editor not involved in the original decision
• If necessary, consultation with additional independent reviewers

The outcome of the appeal may result in:

• Upholding the original decision
• Request for further revision and resubmission
• Reversal of the initial decision in justified cases

The decision made after the appeal process is final.

 

Resolution and Transparency

The journal aims to resolve all complaints and appeals in a timely, fair, and transparent manner. Outcomes are communicated clearly to all relevant parties, and corrective actions are taken when necessary to uphold publication integrity.

 

Timeframe for Complaints and Appeals

The journal aims to handle all complaints and appeals in a timely and efficient manner while ensuring a thorough and fair review process.

• Acknowledgement of receipt: within 3-5 working days after submission 
• Initial assessment and investigation: typically within 2-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the case 
• Final decision on complaints: usually provided within 4-6 weeks from the date of receipt 

For appeals against editorial decisions, the timeframe may vary depending on the need for additional review:

• Preliminary review of appeal: within 1-2 weeks 
• Full re-evaluation process: up to 4-8 weeks 
• Final decision on appeal: typically within 6-10 weeks in total 

In complex cases requiring external consultation or additional peer review, these timeframes may be extended. In such situations, the Editorial Office will inform the applicant about any delays and provide updated timelines.