Appeals and Complaints Policy

1.   Purpose

The Maldives Journal of Engineering and Technology (MJET) is committed to maintaining fairness, transparency, and accountability in its editorial processes. This Appeals and Complaints Policy outlines procedures for handling appeals and complaints related to editorial decisions, peer review processes, and ethical matters etc.

2.   Scope

This policy applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and any stakeholders involved in the publication process of MJET. Parties Involved in Appeals and Complaints are:

  1. Authors

Individuals or groups who submit manuscripts and may file appeals or complaints regarding the editorial process, editorial decision, review outcomes, or ethical concerns.

  1. Reviewers

Experts who evaluate manuscripts and may be involved in complaints related to review quality or ethical misconduct.

  1. Editorial Board

Includes the Editor-in-Chief, deputy editor, and associate editors who handle manuscript submissions, oversee the review process, and address appeals and complaints.

  1. Institutional Representatives

Officials from the authors' or reviewers' institutions who may be involved in investigating and resolving ethical misconduct complaints.

  1. Readers and Subscribers

Individuals who may raise complaints about publication quality, errors, or ethical concerns they notice in published content.

  1. Ethics Committee

An independent committee formed by the senior editor to handle unresolved appeals and complaints, ensuring fair and unbiased resolutions.

3.   Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions (e.g., rejection of manuscripts), reviewer comments, or other significant editorial actions as listed in section ‎3.1, if they believe there has been a procedural error, unfair treatment, or misunderstanding.

Complaints may relate to ethical concerns (e.g., plagiarism, authorship disputes), conflicts of interest, or perceived misconduct in the publication process.

3.1   Types of Appeals

  • Editorial Decision Appeals

Requests for reconsideration of a manuscript's decision such as rejection.

  • Review Process Appeals

Complaints regarding the fairness, quality, reviewer comments or timeliness of the peer review process

  • Authorship Disputes

Appeals related to disputes over authorship credit or order.

  • Conflict of Interest Appeals

 Concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving editors, reviewers, or authors.

  • Correction Requests

 Appeals for correcting publishing errors, such as typographical mistakes or incorrect data presentation.

  • Ethical Violation Appeals

Appeals against accusations of plagiarism, data fabrication, or other unethical practices.

3.2   Types of Complaints

  • Editorial Process Complaints

Issues with the handling of manuscripts, such as delays or perceived bias in the review process.

  • Ethical Misconduct Complaints

Reports of plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, or other unethical practices by authors, reviewers, or editors.

  • Review Quality Complaints

Concerns about the thoroughness, fairness, or professionalism of the peer review process.

  • Publication Quality Complaints

Errors in published articles, including typographical errors, incorrect data, or formatting issues.

  • Authorship and Contributorship Complaints

Disputes regarding the attribution of authorship or contributorship in published manuscripts.

  • Conflict of Interest Complaints

Allegations of undeclared or improperly managed conflicts of interest affecting the integrity of the publication process.

  • Communication and Transparency Complaints

Issues related to poor communication, lack of transparency, or inadequate information provided by the editorial team or journal staff.

3.3   Submission of Appeals and Complaints

Appeals and Complaints must be submitted in writing to the editorial office within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision. The appeal or complaint should clearly outline the grounds for it and provide supporting evidence or documentation.

The appeal should include:

  • The manuscript ID and title.
  • A detailed explanation of the grounds for appeal.
  • Any supporting evidence or documentation.

 

3.4   Handling of Appeals and Complaints

3.4.1 Reviewing Appeals

Appeals will be initially reviewed by the Editor-in-chief, who was not directly involved in the initial decision. If Editor-in-chief had directly involved in the initial decision, then appeal will be reviewed by any other editor who had not involved in the initial decision or through an independent committee. The Editor-in-chief will assess the validity of the appeal based on the provided documentation and may consult with relevant parties as necessary.

3.4.2 Reviewing Complaints

Complaints may be investigated by the Deputy Editor or editorial team in consultation with editor-in-chief. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigation process.

3.4.3 Communicating the Outcomes of Appeals

The Editor-in-chief will communicate the outcome of the appeal to the appellant along with the rationale for the decision. The decision of the Editor-in-chief is final.

3.4.4 Communicating the Outcomes of Complaints

In case of complaints, the deputy editor or editorial team will determine appropriate actions, which may include corrections, retractions, or other editorial decisions as necessary. The outcome of the complaint investigation will be communicated to the complainant.

4.   Confidentiality

All appeals and complaints will be handled confidentially, with information disclosed only to those involved in the review and decision-making process.

5.   Timeliness

MJET is committed to resolving appeals and complaints in a timely manner. Authors and stakeholders will receive regular updates on the progress of their appeal or complaint.

6.   Ethics Committee

In the case of unresolved appeals and complaints, the senior advisor will form an ethics committee consisting of two (2) members, which may include the senior advisor, to resolve the case.

7.   Continuous Improvement

  1. This Appeals and Complaints Policy will be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect best practices and ensure fairness in handling appeals and complaints.
  2. Any changes to the policy should be approved by the editorial board and communicated to all stakeholders promptly.

8.   Contact Information

Authors and stakeholders can contact the editorial office of MJET for guidance on how to submit appeals or complaints and for any questions regarding this policy.