Complaints and Appeals Policy
Policy Statement
The International Journal of Environmental and Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) is committed to transparency, fairness, and accountability in all editorial processes. This policy outlines the formal procedure for authors, reviewers, or readers to file complaints or appeal editorial decisions. All complaints and appeals are handled promptly, impartially, and in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to the following types of complaints and appeals:
Editorial Decision Appeals
Appeals against manuscript rejection, revision requirements, or other editorial decisions.
Peer Review Process Complaints
Complaints about reviewer bias, delayed reviews, or inappropriate reviewer comments.
Ethical Concerns
Complaints regarding plagiarism, data fabrication, authorship disputes, or other ethical violations.
Journal Policy Complaints
Complaints about APCs, publication timelines, or adherence to journal policies.
Note: This policy does not cover complaints about the scientific quality of published articles (which should be addressed via correspondence or correction mechanisms) or personal disputes between authors.
Filing a Complaint
All complaints must be submitted in writing using the following process:
Submit in Writing
Send complaint to designated email with required information
Provide Documentation
Include manuscript ID, correspondence, and supporting evidence
Acknowledgment
Receive confirmation within 3 business days
Required Information for Complaint Submission
- Complainant's full name, affiliation, and contact information
- Manuscript ID (if applicable) and article title
- Clear description of the complaint or grounds for appeal
- Specific editorial decision or action being disputed
- Supporting evidence or documentation
- Desired resolution (if any)
Submission Email
Send complaints and appeals to: info@ijoear.com or info.ijoear@gmail.com with the subject line: "COMPLAINT/APPEAL: [Manuscript ID if applicable] - [Brief Description]"
Appealing an Editorial Decision
Authors may appeal editorial decisions (rejection or major revision requirements) under the following circumstances:
| Valid Grounds for Appeal | Invalid Grounds for Appeal |
|---|---|
| Reviewer demonstrated clear bias or conflict of interest | Disagreement with reviewer interpretation without substantive justification |
| Reviewer made factual errors about methodology or data | Preference for different publication venue |
| New evidence addressing the reason for rejection | Delay in peer review (unless excessive) |
| Procedural irregularity in the review process | Request for different reviewer assignment |
Appeal Submission Requirements
- Submit appeal within 30 days of receiving the editorial decision
- Provide a point-by-point response to the reviewer and editor comments
- Explain why the decision should be reconsidered
- Include any new data or analysis (if applicable)
- Appeals without substantive new arguments will be summarily rejected
Complaint and Appeal Review Process
IJOEAR follows a structured, multi-level review process for all complaints and appeals:
Level 1: Initial Review
The Editor-in-Chief or handling editor reviews the complaint/appeal to determine validity. May seek input from original reviewers (with anonymity maintained). Initial review completed within 10 business days.
Level 2: Editorial Board Review
If unsatisfied with Level 1, complaint proceeds to a designated Editorial Board committee. Committee members are independent of the original decision. Completed within 15 business days.
Level 3: Publisher Review (Final)
For unresolved complaints, the Publisher (AD Publications) conducts a final review. This level is only for serious policy violations or procedural failures. Completed within 20 business days. Decision is final and binding.
Confidentiality: All complaints and appeals are handled confidentially. Complainants are advised not to share details of the process publicly while under review.
Resolution Timeline
IJOEAR is committed to resolving complaints and appeals promptly:
| Stage | Responsible Party | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment of Receipt | Editorial Office | 3 business days |
| Level 1 Review (Initial) | Editor-in-Chief | 10 business days |
| Level 2 Review (Editorial Board) | Editorial Board Committee | 15 business days |
| Level 3 Review (Publisher) | AD Publications | 20 business days |
| Final Decision Communication | Editorial Office | 5 business days after decision |
Total Resolution Time: Typically 4-6 weeks for Level 1 and 2. Complex cases may require additional time, and complainants will be notified of any delays.
Possible Outcomes
Appeal Upheld
Original decision overturned. Manuscript sent for further review or acceptance reconsidered.
Appeal Denied
Original decision upheld. Detailed explanation provided. No further review within IJOEAR.
Partial Resolution
Some aspects accepted; others denied. Modified decision or corrective action taken.
Escalation to External Bodies
If a complainant is dissatisfied with IJOEAR's final decision, they may escalate the matter to the following external bodies:
| External Body | Applicable Complaints | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) | Ethical violations not resolved by journal | publicationethics.org |
| DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) | Complaints about open access compliance | doaj.org |
| Author's Institutional Ethics Committee | Authorship disputes or research misconduct | Contact local institution |
Note: IJOEAR encourages complainants to exhaust the journal's internal complaint process before escalating to external bodies. The journal will cooperate fully with any external investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Submit a Complaint or Appeal
To file a complaint or appeal, please send your submission to the editorial office.
+91-7665235235
Subject Line Format: "COMPLAINT/APPEAL: [Manuscript ID] - [Brief Description]"
All complaints and appeals are acknowledged within 3 business days.