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 oversights may arise despite meticulous diligence, the journals provide authors and relevant stakeholders the opportunity to appeal editorial decisions or lodge complaints regarding the review process or the overall handling of their manuscripts.
This policy outlines the formal procedures for submitting appeals against editorial decisions, as well as lodging complaints regarding the publication process or the conduct of the parties involved.
Appeals Policy
Authors are entitled to appeal an editorial decision if they believe it resulted from a factual error or procedural unfairness, specifically under the following circumstances:
The occurrence of a substantive error, factual misunderstanding, or misjudgment during the peer review process.
Reviewer reports containing inaccurate information, evident bias, or a documented lack of subject-matter expertise concerning the manuscript.
The oversight of critical information that would have materially influenced the final decision.
Appeal Submission Procedure
Appeals must be submitted in writing by the corresponding author, either via the journal's official email or through the Editorial Board Office at:
The appeal submission must include the following:
A clear and direct statement of the grounds for appeal.
A detailed, professional point-by-point response addressing the editorial decision and the reviewers’ comments.
Substantive supporting evidence (e.g., additional data, technical clarifications, or scientific rebuttals).
Appeals that lack sufficient justification or merely express dissatisfaction without a valid scientific or logical basis will not be considered.
Appeal Review Procedures
Receipt of the appeal will be acknowledged within five business days.
The appeal will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, the handling editor, or an independent member of the Editorial Board who was not involved in the original decision.
A reassessment may be initiated, which may entail a new review by the original reviewers, an evaluation by independent reviewers, or an internal review by the Editorial Board.
A final decision will be reached to either uphold the initial decision, reverse it, or request further review.
All appeal decisions are final and binding.
Complaints Policy
Eligible complaints include, but are not limited to, the following:
Unwarranted delays in the peer review process or communication by the Editorial Board.
Ethical concerns (e.g., plagiarism, data manipulation, or reviewer misconduct).
Allegations of bias, discrimination, or unprofessional conduct by the Editorial Board or reviewers.
Objections to journal policies or publishing practices deemed ambiguous or inequitable.
Complaint Submission Procedure
Complaints must be directed to the journal’s official email or to the Editorial Board Office at:
Complainants are requested to provide:
A clear and concise description of the complaint.
Relevant supporting documentation or correspondence concerning the matter.
The desired resolution or proposed course of action, where applicable.
All complaints must be submitted in a professional and respectful manner. Offensive, defamatory, or frivolous complaints will not be entertained.
Complaint Investigation Procedures
Receipt of the complaint will be acknowledged within five business days.
The complaint will be examined by the Editor-in-Chief or, in the event of a conflict of interest, delegated to another member of the Editorial Board or an independent publication ethics committee.
Investigations will be conducted impartially, equitably, and with strict confidentiality.
Where applicable, the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) will be adhered to.
The complainant will be notified of the outcome within four to six weeks, depending on the complexity of the matter.
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 guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). In such cases, the author’s affiliated institution or funding body may be contacted.
Potential outcomes may include:
Retraction or formal correction of the published article.
Notification of the relevant academic institution or regulatory body.
Issuance of an Editorial Expression of Concern.
Umm Al-Qura University Journals reserve the right to correct or retract any published content substantiated to breach ethical standards, even in the absence of author cooperation.
Standards for Reviewing Appeals and Complaints
To ensure equity and transparency, Umm Al-Qura University Journals govern the processing of all appeals and complaints according to the following principles:
Promptness: All submissions are handled within a reasonable and timely framework.
Independence: Whenever necessary, cases are delegated to objective reviewers who were not involved in the original decision.
Confidentiality: All correspondence and case details are maintained with the strictest confidentiality.
Impartiality: Appeals and complaints are adjudicated solely on the basis of empirical evidence and documented facts, entirely free from bias or favoritism.