Appeals and Complaints Policy
Last updated 1/4/2025
1. Introduction
The Infectious Diseases Journal of Pakistan (IDJP) is dedicated to upholding fairness and transparency in its editorial procedures. This policy details the steps for authors, reviewers, and readers to submit appeals or complaints concerning editorial decisions or processes.
IDJP assumes that the complainant is not merely dissatisfied with a decision or published content but believes there has been a procedural failure—such as excessive delays or unprofessional conduct—or a significant error in judgment.
The complaint should pertain to matters under the editorial department’s responsibility, including content-related or procedural issues.
2. Types of Appeals and Complaints
2.1 Appeals: Appeals are formal requests to review an editorial decision, typically due to concerns about the impartiality, fairness, or correctness of the process.
2.2 Complaints: Complaints refer to any statements conveying dissatisfaction regarding editorial procedures, encompassing issues such as ethical violations, competing interests, or suspected partiality, among others.
3. Submission of Appeals and Complaints
3.1 Author Appeals: Authors can appeal editorial decisions or raise issues regarding the review process. Such appeals should be made soon after the decision is received.
3.2 Reviewer Appeals: Reviewers have the option to appeal matters concerning their role in peer review, particularly if they believe there was unfairness or an unjust decision.
3.3 Reader Complaints: Readers are welcome to raise concerns about published material, ethical issues, or any suspected breaches of editorial guidelines.
4. Procedures for Submission
To file a complaint, please send an email to the provided email addresses: infectdisjpak@gmail.com
Every effort will be taken to provide a final response within two weeks. If a final response is not possible within that time, an interim update will be provided within two weeks. Interim updates will continue to be given until the complaint is fully resolved.
4.1 Author and Reviewer Appeals: To appeal, send a written submission to the editorial office, detailing your reasons and attaching any necessary supporting materials. The editorial board will assess the appeal and reply within a reasonable time.
4.2 Reader Complaints: Complaints should be submitted in writing via email to infectdisjpak@gmail.com, specifying the nature of the complaint and providing any relevant details or evidence. The complaint will be reviewed by the editorial board, and a response will be provided within a reasonable timeframe.
5. Confidentiality and Impartiality
Confidentiality will be maintained in handling all appeals and complaints to ensure an impartial resolution. Information concerning these matters will be shared solely with those participating in the resolution process.
6. Appeal and Complaint Resolution
6.1 Editorial Board Review: Appeals and complaints will be assessed by the editorial board, who may gather further information from relevant individuals. A written response will be provided, summarizing the review's conclusions and any measures implemented.
6.2 External Expert Consultation: In more complex scenarios, the editorial board could involve external experts to achieve a detailed and fair assessment.
7. Continuous Improvement
The Infectious Diseases Journal of Pakistan (Infect Dis J Pak) is dedicated to enhancing its editorial procedures. Any feedback from appeals or complaints will be carefully reviewed to pinpoint opportunities for refining the editorial process.
8. Record Keeping
All appeals and complaints, along with their outcomes, will be documented and retained for internal assessment and archival purposes.
9. Review and Updates
This policy will undergo regular evaluations to maintain its efficacy. Revisions may be implemented to enhance the handling of appeals and complaints.
The purpose of this Appeals and Complaints Policy is to establish a just and clear framework for resolving issues concerning the editorial procedures of Infect Dis J Pak.
