Complaints and Appeals Policy
The Journal of Islamic Humanities and Social Inquiry (JIHSI) is committed to providing a fair and transparent editorial process. We recognize that authors may occasionally wish to appeal an editorial decision or submit a complaint regarding the journal's management or the conduct of the editorial staff. This policy outlines the formal procedures for submitting and resolving such issues, in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Appeals Against Editorial Decisions
Authors have the right to appeal a rejection if they believe the decision was based on a significant misunderstanding of the manuscript’s scientific content or a failure of the peer-review process.
• Submission of Appeal: Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief within 14 days of receiving the decision. The appeal must provide a detailed, point-by-point rebuttal addressing the reviewers' and editors' comments.
• Review Process: The Editor-in-Chief will review the appeal. If the appeal is found to have merit, the manuscript may be sent for further evaluation by an independent member of the Editorial Board or a new external reviewer.
• Final Decision: Decisions on appeals are final. JIHSI does not consider multiple appeals for the same manuscript to ensure the efficiency of the editorial workflow.
Complaints Regarding Editorial Management
JIHSI welcomes feedback and takes complaints regarding its processes seriously. This includes concerns about:
• Unreasonable delays in the peer-review or publication process.
• Unprofessional conduct by editors, reviewers, or editorial staff.
• Issues related to publication ethics, such as undisclosed conflicts of interest or plagiarism screening errors.
Procedures for Handling Complaints
• How to Complain: Complaints should be sent via email to the formal journal contact address. The complaint should be clearly stated, providing specific details and any supporting evidence.
• Acknowledgment and Investigation: The journal will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 5 working days. The Editor-in-Chief (or an appointed independent board member if the complaint involves the Editor-in-Chief) will conduct a thorough investigation.
• Resolution: JIHSI aims to resolve all complaints within 30 days. The complainant will receive a formal written response outlining the findings and any corrective actions taken.
Escalation and Independent Mediation
If a complainant is unsatisfied with the journal's internal resolution, they may request that the matter be reviewed by the full Editorial Board or the sponsoring institution. For issues concerning publication ethics that remain unresolved, JIHSI may refer to COPE for advice or mediation to ensure the highest standards of academic integrity are maintained.
