Complaints and Appeals
The journal is committed to handling complaints and appeals in a fair, transparent, and timely manner, in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) (COPE).
Complaints may relate to editorial decisions, peer review processes, publication ethics, or the conduct of editors, reviewers, or authors. All complaints are treated confidentially and without bias.
Complaints should be submitted to the editorial office via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., clearly describing the issue and providing supporting evidence where possible.
The editorial office acknowledges receipt of the complaint and initiates an investigation. The journal aims to provide a response within 30 working days. In complex cases, additional time may be required, and the complainant will be informed accordingly.
Complaints that are abusive, defamatory, or outside the scope of the journal will not be considered. In such cases, the complainant will receive an explanation.
Appeals of Editorial Decisions
Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions, including rejection. Appeals must be submitted in writing and should include a clear justification and a detailed response to reviewers’ and editors’ comments.
- provide a reasoned explanation of disagreement with the editorial decision;
- identify any potential errors or misunderstandings in the review process;
- disclose any concerns regarding possible conflicts of interest.
Appeals are considered by the Editor-in-Chief or an independent editor not involved in the original decision. The journal may seek additional independent peer review where appropriate.
Following the evaluation, one of the following decisions may be made:
- the original decision is upheld;
- the manuscript is reconsidered following additional review;
- the case is referred to the editorial board for further evaluation.
The decision on the appeal is communicated in writing with justification. Appeals are considered only once, and the final decision is binding.
Handling Ethical Complaints
The journal also considers complaints related to publication ethics, including allegations of plagiarism, data fabrication, authorship disputes, and conflicts of interest.
Such cases are investigated in accordance with COPE flowcharts and best practice guidelines. Where necessary, the journal may contact authors’ institutions or other relevant bodies.
If ethical misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions may include correction, expression of concern, or retraction of the article.
The journal reserves the right to inform readers about the outcome of ethical investigations in order to ensure transparency and maintain trust in scholarly communication.
