Complaints & Appeals

Complaints & Appeals

Scope

This policy covers complaints relating to:

  • The editorial process (timeliness, communication, decision quality)
  • The peer-review process (perceived bias, conflicts of interest, professionalism)
  • Editorial decisions (rejection, requested revisions)
  • Publication ethics matters (authorship disputes, undeclared conflicts, suspected misconduct)
  • Conduct of editors, reviewers, authors or staff

How to submit a complaint

  1. Send a written complaint to info@uniconflix.com
  2. Include: complainant identity, manuscript ID (if applicable), specific concern, supporting evidence, requested resolution
  3. Anonymous complaints are accepted but may limit our ability to investigate

Investigation process

  1. Acknowledgement: within 3 business days
  2. Triage: assignment to the appropriate person (Managing Editor, Editor-in-Chief or independent Ethics Officer)
  3. Investigation: review of facts, consultation with involved parties, reference to COPE flowcharts
  4. Resolution: within 30 days for routine complaints; longer for complex cases requiring external advice
  5. Communication: written response to the complainant with outcome and any corrective actions

Appeals of editorial decisions

Authors who disagree with an editorial decision may appeal in writing within 30 days of the decision letter.

  • The appeal must clearly state the grounds (e.g., factual errors in the review, reviewer bias)
  • Appeals are reviewed by an independent editor not involved in the original decision
  • The decision on appeal is final

External escalation

Where internal resolution is not satisfactory, complainants may contact:

Confidentiality and retaliation

All complaints are treated confidentially to the extent compatible with thorough investigation. No retaliation against good-faith complainants is permitted.