Complaints & Appeals Policy

The Yemeni Journal of Life Sciences is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, respectful, and accountable editorial and publishing process.

The journal recognizes the right of authors, reviewers, readers, editorial board members, and other stakeholders to raise legitimate concerns or appeal editorial decisions.

Complaints and appeals are handled fairly, confidentially, and as promptly as reasonably possible.

The journal follows relevant principles and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when addressing complaints and appeals.

1. Scope

This policy applies to complaints and appeals concerning the journal's editorial and publishing activities, including:

  • Editorial decisions.
  • Peer-review procedures.
  • Editorial conduct.
  • Reviewer conduct.
  • Authorship and contributorship.
  • Conflicts of interest.
  • Publication ethics.
  • Research or publication misconduct.
  • Copyright and licensing.
  • Publication procedures.
  • Corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern.
  • Other matters affecting the integrity or fairness of the journal's publishing process.

2. Complaints

A complaint may be submitted by an author, reviewer, reader, editorial board member, institution, or other stakeholder who has a legitimate concern regarding the journal or its publishing processes.

Complaints should provide sufficient information to allow the journal to understand and assess the concern.

Where possible, complainants should provide:

  • Their name and contact information.
  • The title and DOI of the relevant article, where applicable.
  • A clear description of the concern.
  • Relevant supporting information or documentation.
  • Any previous communication concerning the matter.

Anonymous complaints may be considered where they raise credible and significant concerns about research or publication integrity.

3. How to Submit a Complaint

Complaints should normally be submitted to the journal through the official contact details provided on the Contact page.

Complaints concerning the Editor-in-Chief should, where possible, be directed to an appropriate independent member of the editorial structure or another responsible authority designated by the journal.

The journal will acknowledge receipt of a complaint where appropriate.

4. Handling of Complaints

Complaints will be assessed according to their nature and seriousness.

The journal may:

  • Review relevant editorial records.
  • Consult the handling editor or appropriate editorial board members.
  • Request additional information from the complainant.
  • Request clarification from authors or reviewers.
  • Consult independent experts where appropriate.
  • Contact an author's institution or other relevant authority when necessary.
  • Seek guidance from COPE or other appropriate professional bodies where applicable.

The person responsible for handling a complaint should not have a conflict of interest in the matter.

5. Confidentiality

The journal will handle complaints confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.

Information concerning a complaint will be shared only with individuals who need the information to assess or resolve the matter.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where disclosure is necessary to conduct an appropriate investigation, comply with legal or institutional requirements, or protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

6. Protection Against Retaliation

The journal does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who raise legitimate concerns or participate in good-faith investigations.

Complainants and participants in investigations should not be disadvantaged solely because they have raised a legitimate concern or participated in an appropriate review process.

7. Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they believe that:

  • A significant factual or procedural error affected the decision.
  • Relevant information was overlooked.
  • There is evidence of a serious conflict of interest.
  • The peer-review process was materially compromised.
  • The decision was based on a demonstrable misunderstanding of the manuscript or its findings.

An appeal should provide a clear and reasoned explanation of the grounds for the appeal.

Appeals should not simply repeat arguments already considered during the original editorial assessment.

8. Appeal Procedure

Appeals should normally be submitted by the corresponding author through the journal's official contact channel.

The appeal should include:

  • The manuscript title.
  • Manuscript identification number, where applicable.
  • The original editorial decision.
  • A clear explanation of the grounds for appeal.
  • Specific responses to the reasons for rejection or other editorial decision.
  • Supporting information where appropriate.

The journal may request additional information before considering the appeal.

9. Independent Consideration of Appeals

Appeals will be considered by an editor or other appropriate member of the editorial structure who was not responsible for the original decision whenever reasonably possible.

Where necessary, the journal may seek an additional independent expert opinion.

An appeal does not guarantee reversal of the original decision.

The final decision will be based on the available evidence, the journal's policies, and applicable scholarly and ethical standards.

10. Limits of Appeals

Appeals are intended to address legitimate concerns about the editorial process or decision.

The journal may decline to reconsider an appeal when:

  • No substantive grounds for appeal are provided.
  • The appeal merely repeats previously considered arguments.
  • The manuscript falls clearly outside the journal's scope.
  • The appeal contains abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or inappropriate language.
  • The matter has already received a final and properly considered decision without new substantive information.

The journal may also limit repeated appeals concerning the same editorial decision.

11. Complaints About Reviewers

Concerns regarding reviewer conduct may include:

  • Breach of confidentiality.
  • Unprofessional or abusive comments.
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
  • Misuse of confidential manuscript information.
  • Evidence of inappropriate influence or manipulation.
  • Other conduct that may compromise the integrity of peer review.

Such concerns will be assessed by the editorial team and may result in removal of the reviewer from the review process or other appropriate action.

12. Complaints About Editors or Editorial Conduct

Complaints concerning editors or members of the editorial team will be handled as independently as reasonably possible.

Where a complaint concerns the Editor-in-Chief, the journal will seek an alternative mechanism for review where such a mechanism is available.

An editor involved in a complaint should not make the final determination concerning their own conduct.

13. Complaints Involving Research or Publication Misconduct

Complaints alleging plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, authorship manipulation, peer-review manipulation, image manipulation, or other forms of research or publication misconduct will be assessed under the journal's Research Misconduct Policy.

Where appropriate, the journal may contact the relevant institution or other competent authority.

The journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, retraction, or other appropriate notice when necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

14. Post-Publication Concerns

Concerns regarding articles that have already been published may be submitted to the journal.

The journal will assess credible concerns concerning:

  • Accuracy of published information.
  • Research integrity.
  • Ethical approval.
  • Data integrity.
  • Authorship.
  • Conflicts of interest.
  • Plagiarism or duplicate publication.
  • Image or figure manipulation.
  • Other issues that may affect the reliability or integrity of the published record.

Appropriate action will be taken according to the circumstances.

15. Communication With Complainants

The journal will communicate with complainants where appropriate and provide information about the outcome of a complaint or appeal when reasonably possible.

The level of information provided may be limited by confidentiality, privacy, legal, ethical, or institutional considerations.

16. Timeframe

The journal aims to acknowledge complaints and appeals within a reasonable period and to assess them as promptly as circumstances permit.

The time required to resolve a matter may vary depending on:

  • The complexity of the issue.
  • The availability of relevant individuals.
  • The need for additional evidence.
  • The need to consult external experts.
  • Institutional or third-party investigations.

Where appropriate, the complainant may be informed when substantial additional time is required.

17. Good-Faith Complaints

The journal welcomes legitimate concerns raised in good faith.

However, knowingly false, malicious, abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or deliberately misleading complaints may be discontinued.

This provision does not prevent individuals from raising legitimate concerns that cannot immediately be substantiated.

18. Record Keeping

The journal maintains appropriate records of complaints and appeals and their outcomes.

Records may include relevant correspondence, supporting documentation, editorial decisions, and actions taken.

Records will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.

19. Editorial Independence

The handling of complaints and appeals will be conducted independently of commercial interests, advertising, financial considerations, or other inappropriate external influence.

The journal does not permit complaints or appeals to influence unrelated editorial decisions.

20. External Guidance

The journal may consult relevant international standards and professional guidance when handling complex complaints and appeals, including guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The journal may also seek advice from appropriate institutional, legal, ethical, or professional authorities where necessary.

Related Policies

For matters related to complaints and appeals, please also refer to:

  • Publication Ethics
  • Peer Review Policy
  • Reviewer Guidelines
  • Authorship & Contributorship Policy
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Research Misconduct Policy
  • Retraction & Correction Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact