Complaints Policy

Complaints and appeals policy

The "Journal of Human Rights,Gender Studies & Social Justice" is committed to considering complaints and appeals fairly, impartially, confidentially, and in a timely manner. Complaints and appeals are handled in accordance with the journal’s editorial policies and, where applicable, the guidance and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Complaints and appeals should be submitted to the journal’s official email address: jhrgssj@veruspublishing.co.uk.

 

Complaints

Complaints may concern, among other matters:

  • the journal’s editorial policies or procedures;
  • the conduct of editors, Editorial Board members, reviewers, or other persons involved in the publication process;
  • the peer-review process;
  • suspected breaches of publication or research ethics;
  • conflict of interest;
  • published content;
  • authorship or contributorship concerns;
  • plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, duplicate publication, or other forms of research or publication misconduct.

A complaint should be clear and specific and should include sufficient information to enable the journal to assess the matter. Where available, supporting documents or other relevant evidence should be provided.

The editorial office will acknowledge and assess each complaint and determine the appropriate course of action according to its nature and seriousness. The journal aims to provide a substantive response within 30 working days. Where a matter requires a more extensive investigation, additional information, consultation with external experts, or communication with an institution or other competent body, the investigation may take longer. In such cases, the complainant will be informed that additional time is required.

Complaints will be handled by an editor or other appropriate person who has no conflict of interest in relation to the matter concerned. If a complaint concerns the Editor-in-Chief, it will be referred to the publisher, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, or another suitably qualified and independent person who was not involved in the matter giving rise to the complaint.

Where a complaint concerns suspected research or publication misconduct that falls primarily within the responsibility of an author’s or reviewer’s institution, the journal may refer the matter to the relevant institution or other competent authority for investigation while taking any editorial action necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

The journal may decline to engage with correspondence that is abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate. However, where such correspondence contains a substantive and sufficiently supported allegation relating to publication ethics or research integrity, the underlying concern may still be assessed independently of the manner in which it was communicated.

 

Appeals against editorial decisions

Authors may appeal an editorial decision where they believe that a significant error occurred in the editorial or peer-review process or that relevant evidence was not adequately considered.

An appeal must:

  • identify the manuscript concerned;
  • clearly state the grounds for the appeal;
  • explain why the author considers the original decision to have been incorrect; and
  • provide relevant evidence or a reasoned response to the scientific or editorial issues raised during the assessment.

An appeal should not consist solely of disagreement with the reviewers’ or editors’ academic judgement.

Where practicable, an appeal will be considered by an editor who was not responsible for the original decision and who has no conflict of interest. Additional independent expert advice may be sought where necessary.

Submission of an appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed. Following consideration of the appeal, the journal may uphold, modify, or reverse the original editorial decision. The outcome of the appeal and the reasons for it will be communicated to the author.

 

Confidentiality and record-keeping

Complaints and appeals will be treated confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. Information will be disclosed only to individuals or organisations whose involvement is necessary for a fair assessment or investigation of the matter, or where disclosure is required by law.

The journal will retain appropriate records of complaints, appeals, investigations, correspondence, and resulting decisions in accordance with its internal record-retention procedures.

 

Outcome and editorial action

Where a complaint or investigation identifies an error, breach of publication ethics, or other issue affecting a submitted or published work, the journal will take appropriate action. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

  • correction of the published record;
  • publication of an expression of concern;
  • retraction of an article;
  • reconsideration of an editorial decision;
  • notification of relevant institutions or other competent bodies; or
  • other measures considered appropriate in accordance with the journal’s policies and applicable COPE guidance.

The journal is committed to addressing legitimate concerns irrespective of who raises them and to preserving the integrity of the scholarly record.