Complaints and Appeals Policy

Zakariya Journal of Social Sciences (ZJSS) is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and ethical publishing process. The journal provides a clear mechanism for authors, reviewers, and readers to submit complaints and appeals regarding editorial decisions, peer review processes, publication ethics, or other journal-related matters.

ZJSS follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices and Guidelines for handling complaints and appeals.

Scope of Complaints

Complaints may relate to:

  • Editorial decisions and processes.
  • Peer review procedures.
  • Delays in manuscript processing.
  • Ethical concerns regarding published articles.
  • Plagiarism or research misconduct issues.
  • Conflicts of interest.
  • Copyright and licensing concerns.
  • Any other concerns related to journal operations.

Submission of Complaints

Complaints should be submitted to the journal editorial office with sufficient details, including:

  • Name and contact information of the complainant.
  • Manuscript details (if applicable).
  • Clear description of the concern.
  • Supporting evidence or relevant documents.

All complaints will be acknowledged and reviewed carefully.

Handling of Complaints

The editorial team will:

  • Review complaints objectively and confidentially.
  • Investigate concerns according to established ethical procedures.
  • Communicate decisions and actions taken where appropriate.
  • Ensure that complainants and respondents are treated fairly.

Complaints involving editors or conflicts of interest will be handled by an independent member of the editorial team.

Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions when they believe that:

  • The decision was based on incorrect information.
  • The peer review process was unfair or inappropriate.
  • Important academic concerns were overlooked.

Appeals must include a clear explanation and justification for reconsideration.

Appeal Review Process

Upon receiving an appeal:

  • The Editor-in-Chief or designated editorial authority will review the appeal.
  • Additional expert opinions may be requested if necessary.
  • The final decision will be communicated to the author after evaluation.

The appeal decision is final and will be based on academic and ethical considerations.

Confidentiality and Fairness

All complaints and appeals are handled confidentially. ZJSS ensures that individuals raising concerns are treated respectfully and that no person is disadvantaged for submitting a legitimate complaint or appeal.