Appeals and Complaints Policy
ERMIS Journals are committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and professionalism in all editorial and publishing decisions. We welcome constructive feedback and aim to address all appeals and complaints in a timely, consistent, and respectful manner.
1. Appeals Against Editorial Decisions
If an author believes that a manuscript was unfairly rejected, they may submit an appeal request.
To appeal a decision:
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Contact the Editor or the Editorial Office via the journal’s official contact listed on the website.
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Submit a formal letter of appeal that includes:
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The manuscript title and tracking/reference number
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A detailed justification for the appeal
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A point-by-point response addressing the reasons for rejection
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Any additional information or clarification that may support reconsideration
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Important Notes:
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Only one appeal is allowed per manuscript.
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Appeals are reviewed after regular editorial priorities, so response times may take several weeks.
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The final decision on appeals rests with the handling Editor, Editor-in-Chief, or a designated Editorial Board Member.
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The decision following an appeal is final and not open to further challenge.
2. Complaints Process
We take complaints about our processes, editorial conduct, or potential publication ethics violations seriously.
Types of Complaints We Handle:
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Delays or inefficiencies in the peer review or publication process
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Alleged breaches of ethical standards (e.g., plagiarism, authorship disputes, conflicts of interest)
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Editorial misconduct or bias
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Complaints about published content
How to Submit a Complaint:
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Contact the Editor of the journal in the first instance.
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If the complaint involves the Editor or if the response is unsatisfactory, escalate the matter to the Editorial and Publishing Management Team via the journal’s official contact email.
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Clearly state:
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The nature of the complaint
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The people or processes involved
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Supporting documentation (if applicable)
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How Complaints Are Handled:
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Process-related complaints (e.g., time to review):
The Editor will review the complaint and respond with an explanation or appropriate corrective action. -
Ethics-related complaints (e.g., misconduct, data fabrication):
These are investigated in line with the COPE Guidelines. The Editor may consult the Chief Editor or the Ethics Committee for complex cases. Outcomes may include corrections, retractions, or other formal actions. -
If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, it will be escalated to the journal’s publishing management team for further investigation and final resolution.
Where to Send Complaints or Appeals:
Please send all correspondence related to appeals or complaints to:
[enquiry@ermisjournals.info]
Include your manuscript ID (if applicable) in the subject line for faster processing.
ERMIS Journals are guided by ethical standards established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and aim to resolve all matters with integrity and transparency.