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Complaints & Appeals Policy

The Health and Research Journal is committed to fair, transparent, and timely handling of complaints and appeals related to the editorial process and publication ethics.

Appeals (editorial decisions)

Authors may appeal an editorial decision if they believe it was based on a factual misunderstanding, a procedural error, or a substantive issue that can be addressed with evidence.

To submit an appeal, the corresponding author should:

  • clearly state the grounds for appeal,

  • provide a point-by-point response to the decision and/or reviewers’ comments, and

  • include supporting evidence where relevant.

Appeals are assessed by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated senior editor who was not directly involved in the original decision, where feasible. The journal may seek additional independent advice. The outcome of an appeal is final.

Complaints (process and conduct)

Complaints may relate to the editorial process, delays, peer review conduct, conflicts of interest, or publication ethics concerns. Complaints should be submitted in writing to the Editorial Office and should include relevant details (manuscript ID/DOI, dates, and a clear description of the issue).

The journal will:

  • acknowledge receipt of the complaint,

  • assess the matter objectively, and

  • take appropriate action proportionate to the findings.

Publication ethics concerns

Concerns about research integrity (e.g., plagiarism, data fabrication, authorship disputes) will be handled in line with the journal’s ethics policies and recognized best-practice guidance (e.g., COPE). Where appropriate, the journal may contact authors’ institutions or relevant bodies.

Confidentiality and non-retaliation

All parties are expected to communicate respectfully. The journal will handle complaints and appeals confidentially to the extent possible and will not tolerate retaliatory behavior.

Contact

Complaints and appeals should be submitted via the official contact details listed on the journal website. Please include the manuscript ID or article DOI where applicable.