Purpose

The Journal is committed to ensuring that all complaints and appeals are handled fairly, transparently, promptly, and impartially. The Journal provides authors, reviewers, readers, and other stakeholders with a formal mechanism to raise concerns regarding editorial decisions, publication ethics, peer review, or editorial processes. This policy follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and internationally recognized best practices in scholarly publishing.

Scope of Complaints and Appeals

Complaints and appeals may relate to editorial decisions, peer review procedures, publication ethics, delays in manuscript processing, allegations of research or publication misconduct, conflicts of interest, authorship disputes, copyright issues, or concerns regarding the conduct of editors, reviewers, or authors. Appeals should be based on factual evidence and supported by relevant documentation whenever possible.

Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors who believe that a manuscript has been rejected due to a procedural error, misunderstanding, or factual inaccuracy may submit a written appeal to the Editorial Office. The appeal should clearly explain the reasons for reconsideration and provide any additional information or evidence supporting the request. Appeals based solely on disagreement with reviewers' opinions are unlikely to be successful unless supported by objective evidence.

Complaints Procedure

All complaints received by the Journal are acknowledged and assessed confidentially. The Editorial Office will conduct an impartial review of the complaint and, where necessary, seek advice from the Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board members, reviewers, or the relevant institutions. Every effort will be made to resolve complaints fairly, consistently, and within a reasonable timeframe.

Investigation and Decision

Each complaint or appeal will be evaluated on its individual merits. The Journal may request additional information from the complainant or other relevant parties before reaching a decision. Where appropriate, investigations will be conducted in accordance with the COPE Core Practices and COPE Flowcharts. The final decision of the Editor-in-Chief, based on the available evidence and applicable ethical standards, shall normally be considered final.

Confidentiality

The Journal will maintain the confidentiality of all parties involved during the complaints and appeals process. Information will only be disclosed to individuals directly involved in the investigation or where disclosure is required by law, institutional policy, or ethical obligations.

Editorial Responsibility

The Editorial Office is responsible for managing complaints and appeals in a timely, objective, and transparent manner. Editors involved in the original editorial decision will avoid participating in the review of an appeal whenever a conflict of interest exists, thereby ensuring an independent and impartial assessment.

Key Requirements

• Complaints and appeals must be submitted in writing with sufficient supporting evidence.

• Appeals should identify the specific editorial decision or issue being challenged.

• All complaints are handled fairly, confidentially, and without discrimination.

• The Journal follows COPE recommendations when investigating complaints and appeals.

• Additional information or documentation may be requested during the investigation.

• Decisions are based on evidence, publication ethics, and editorial policies rather than personal opinion.

• The Editor-in-Chief's decision, following appropriate review, is generally considered final.

• The Journal is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, accountability, and the integrity of the scholarly publishing process.