Complaint Handling Procedure

This journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and editorial integrity. We provide the following process for handling complaints relating to issues such as editorial decision-making, peer review process, publication ethics, content errors, or other concerns.

  1. Scope of Complaints

Complaints may be submitted by authors, reviewers, editors, readers or other stakeholders about:

  • The editorial or peer-review process;
  • Allegations of publication misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, data fabrication/falsification, authorship disputes);
  • Errors or inaccuracies in published articles;
  • Breach of journal policy or good publishing practices.

 

  1. Submission of Complaint

Complaints must be submitted in writing (via e-mail) to the journal’s official complaints address: journal@idscipub.com with subject line “Complaint – Manuscript ID / Article DOI if applicable”. Please include:

  • Your name and contact information (or indicate if you wish to remain anonymous);
  • The manuscript ID, article DOI, or other reference;
  • A clear description of the complaint, with supporting evidence where available;
  • Your relationship to the article/journal (e.g., author, reviewer, reader).

 

  1. Acknowledgment and Initial Review

The journal will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 5 business days. We will review the complaint to determine whether it falls within the scope of our procedures and whether further investigation is warranted.

 

  1. Investigation and Decision
  • If further investigation is required, the complaint will be handled by an independent editor (or panel) not involved in the original decision or review process.
  • We may request further information from you, the authors, reviewers or the institution(s) involved.
  • Where relevant, we will follow the flowcharts and guidance provided by COPE. https://publicationethics.org/news-opinion/complaints-and-appeals
  • We seek to reach a decision within 6 weeks, although complex cases may require longer.

 

  1. Outcome & Communication
  • You will be informed in writing of the outcome of our investigation and any corrective action that will be taken (e.g., publication of correction, expression of concern, retraction, change in editorial process).
  • Confidentiality will be maintained except where disclosure is required by law or institutional investigation.

 

  1. Escalation

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may request that your case be referred to a senior editorial board member or the publisher. If the matter still cannot be resolved, you have the right to contact COPE for advice or mediation.

 

  1. Record-keeping & Transparency

The journal will maintain a record of all complaints and the actions taken. Statistics on complaints and outcomes may be published annually in the journal’s editorial report or website transparency statement.