Complaints and Appeals

Overview

The complaints and appeals route gives authors, reviewers, readers, and editors a documented way to request review of decisions or process concerns.

Submitting a complaint or appeal

A useful appeal provides precise evidence rather than a general disagreement with editorial judgement.

• Include manuscript ID, journal title, decision date, and clear reason for appeal.
• Identify procedural errors, overlooked evidence, conflict concerns, or factual inaccuracies.
• Provide supporting documents without abusive or defamatory language.
• Send publication ethics concerns to the editorial office with relevant evidence.

Review process

Appeals are reviewed by an editor or advisor not directly responsible for the original decision where possible.

• The original decision may be upheld, revised, or sent for further review.
• Complaints about conduct may trigger internal review or external consultation.
• Repeated unsupported appeals may be closed after explanation.
• Outcomes are communicated with a concise reasoned response.