COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

General Concerns or Complaints

If you have any concerns or complaints regarding publication in this journal, please email [email protected]. Note that we do not oversee or comment on editorial decisions for any of our journals.

We strive to acknowledge receipt of your email within five business days. Our Research Integrity and Inclusion Manager will then investigate according to COPE guidelines, ensuring proper procedures have been followed. This includes reviewing the submission history and correspondence between the author, editor, and reviewers.

You will be informed of the investigation's outcome in writing. While we aim to resolve issues as quickly as possible, typically within six weeks, some investigations may take longer due to the complexity of the issue, availability of data, involvement of multiple authors and papers, or participation of external parties like the author's institution.

To ensure due process, we kindly ask that you refrain from public commentary until the investigation concludes.

If you wish to further pursue your complaint, you may contact COPE directly. More information is available on the COPE website: Facilitation and Integrity Subcommittee | COPE: Committee on Publication Ethics.