Complaints & Appeals Policy
The Journal of Social and Educational Research (JSER) is committed to ensuring a transparent, fair, and timely process for handling complaints and appeals related to any aspect of the journal’s editorial and publishing activities.
Scope
Complaints may relate to:
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Editorial decisions (e.g., manuscript rejection)
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Alleged breaches of publication ethics (e.g., plagiarism, authorship disputes)
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Procedural errors during peer review or publication
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Concerns regarding published content (e.g., factual errors or ethical issues)
All complaints must be submitted within 12 months from the date of publication or editorial action.
How to Submit
Complaints must be sent via email to: editor@journalser.com, with a clear explanation of the issue and any supporting evidence. Anonymous complaints will not be considered unless sufficient evidence is provided to warrant investigation.
Review Process
Upon receipt of a complaint, the editorial office will:
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Acknowledge receipt within 5 business days.
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Conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the complaint is valid and relevant.
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If necessary, refer the matter to the Editor-in-Chief, ethics committee, or external advisors for impartial review.
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Provide a written response to the complainant with the outcome and rationale.
Every effort will be made to resolve the issue within 30 days, though more complex cases may require additional time.
Appeals
Authors who wish to appeal a rejection or editorial decision must do so in writing, stating their grounds for appeal and including any additional evidence. Appeals will be reviewed by a senior editorial member not involved in the original decision. The outcome of the appeal is final.
JSER follows the spirit of ethical publishing guidelines and may consult COPE flowcharts and recommendations when addressing serious ethical or procedural complaints.
