Complaints and Appeals

We try to get decisions right, but we won't always manage it. When you believe we have got something wrong, IAJAVS will hear you out fairly, openly and promptly, following COPE's guidance on complaints and appeals.

Appealing an Editorial Decision

If you disagree with a decision such as a rejection, you may send a formal appeal to the editorial office. Give the manuscript ID and a clear, reasoned case for reconsideration: a factual error, a problem with how the review was handled, or relevant information that was overlooked. Simply disagreeing with a reviewer's opinion is not enough for an appeal.

The Editor-in-Chief reviews each appeal and may ask an independent board member who was not involved in the original review for an opinion. You will be told the outcome in writing, with reasons. The decision after appeal is final.

Complaints About Editorial or Review Conduct

Authors, reviewers and readers who are concerned about how an editor, a reviewer or the process itself behaved may complain in writing to the editorial office. The Editor-in-Chief investigates. If the complaint is about the Editor-in-Chief, it is passed to another senior board member for independent review.

Complaints About Publication Ethics

Suspected research or publication misconduct, such as plagiarism, fabricated data or undisclosed conflicts of interest, is handled under the Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement and Misconduct and Sanctions policies, not the appeals process above.

Response Time

We aim to acknowledge every complaint and appeal within two weeks, and to give a full response as soon as the complexity of the matter allows.

Confidentiality

Complaints and appeals are handled confidentially and shared only with the people needed to resolve them.

Contact: editor@iajavs.org