Umm Al-Qura University Journals are committed to upholding the highest standards of editorial integrity, fairness, and transparency across all stages of peer review and publication. Recognizing that issues may occasionally arise despite rigorous diligence, the journals provide authors and relevant stakeholders the opportunity to appeal editorial decisions or submit complaints regarding the peer review process or the overall handling of their manuscripts.
This policy outlines the official mechanisms for appealing editorial decisions, as well as for lodging complaints concerning the publication process or the conduct of the parties involved.
Appeals Policy
Authors are entitled to submit an appeal if they believe an error or injustice occurred regarding an editorial decision, strictly under the following circumstances:
The occurrence of a factual error, misunderstanding, or misjudgment during the peer review process.
Reviewer reports containing inaccurate information, demonstrable bias, or a clear lack of expertise in the manuscript’s subject area.
The omission or disregard of critical information that would have directly influenced the final decision.
Appeals Procedure
Appeals must be submitted in writing by the corresponding author via the journal's official email or through the Editorial Board Office at:
The appeal must include the following:
A clear and direct statement of the grounds for appeal.
A detailed, professional response addressing the points raised in the decision letter or reviewers’ comments.
Any supporting evidence (e.g., supplementary data, academic clarifications, or scientific rebuttals).
Appeals lacking sufficient justification or merely expressing dissatisfaction without a valid scientific or rational basis will not be considered.
Appeals Review Process
Receipt of the appeal will be acknowledged within five business days.
The appeal is reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, the handling editor, or an independent editorial board member who was not involved in the original decision.
A re-evaluation may be initiated, which may include a new review by the original reviewers, an assessment by independent reviewers, or an internal review by the Editorial Board.
A final decision will be reached to either uphold the initial decision, revise it, or request further review.
All appeal decisions are final and binding.
Complaints Policy
Eligible complaints encompass the following:
Unreasonable delays in the peer review process or in editorial correspondence.
Ethical concerns (such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or reviewer misconduct).
Allegations of bias, discrimination, or unprofessional conduct by the editorial team or peer reviewers.
Objections to journal policies or publishing practices deemed ambiguous or inequitable.
Complaints Procedure
Complaints should be directed to the journal’s email or to the Editorial Board Office at:
Complainants are requested to include:
A clear and concise description of the complaint.
Any supporting documentation or relevant correspondence.
The desired outcome or proposed resolution, if applicable.
Complaints must be submitted in a professional and respectful manner; offensive, defamatory, or frivolous complaints will not be considered.
Complaints Handling Process
Receipt of the complaint will be acknowledged within five business days.
The complaint will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or, in the event of a conflict of interest, delegated to another editorial board member or an independent publication ethics committee.
All investigations are conducted fairly, impartially, and confidentially.
Where applicable, proceedings will follow the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
The complainant will be notified of the outcome within four to six weeks, depending on the complexity of the case.
Complaints Regarding Ethical Misconduct
If a complaint involves allegations of research misconduct—such as data fabrication, plagiarism, or breaches of scientific research ethics—Umm Al-Qura University Journals will adhere to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, and may contact the author’s affiliated institution or funding body.
Potential outcomes may include:
Retraction or correction of the published article.
Formal notification of the relevant academic institution.
Issuance of an editorial expression of concern.
Umm Al-Qura University Journals reserve the right to correct or retract any published content proven to breach ethical standards, even in the absence of author cooperation.
Standards for Reviewing Appeals and Complaints
To safeguard fairness and transparency, Umm Al-Qura University Journals adhere to the following core principles when managing appeals and complaints:
Promptness: All submissions are handled within a reasonable timeframe.
Independence: Individuals who were not involved in the original decision are assigned to review cases whenever necessary.
Confidentiality: All correspondence and documentation are treated with strict confidentiality.
Impartiality: Appeals and complaints are evaluated objectively based on evidence and verifiable facts, free from bias or favoritism.