Complaints Policy
Al-Fath Journal for Educational and Psychological Research is committed to handling complaints and appeals in a professional, fair, transparent, and confidential manner. This policy aims to protect the rights of authors, reviewers, readers, and Editorial Board members, while preserving editorial independence and the integrity of the scholarly
publishing process. This policy regulates the procedure for receiving, reviewing, and responding to complaints related to submission procedures, peer review, editorial decisions, publication ethics, or content published in the journal.
First: Types of Complaints Considered by the Journal
The journal considers complaints related to the following:
1.Unjustified delay in submission processing, peer review, or editorial decision making.
2.Objection to a clear procedural irregularity in the peer-review process or editorial decision.
3. Suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, simultaneous submission, fabrication, or data manipulation.
4. A significant error in a published article.
5. Undisclosed conflict of interest involving authors, reviewers, or Editorial Board members.
6. Misuse of authors’ or reviewers’ data or breach of peer-review confidentiality
7. Any potential violation of the journal’s policies or publication ethics Mere dissatisfaction with a rejection decision or reviewers’ comments is not, by itself, sufficient grounds for a complaint unless the appeal is supported by clear and specific scientific or procedural reasons.
Second: How to Submit a Complaint
Complaints should be submitted to the journal through the official journal email: fatehjournal@uodiyala.edu.iq
The complaint should include, as far as possible:
1. The name and capacity of the complainant.
2. The title of the manuscript or article concerned, and its link or number if published.
3. A clear and specific description of the complaint.
4. Supporting evidence, documents, or correspondence, if available.
5. Official contact details of the complainant.
Complaints sent through WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media platforms are not considered official complaints unless the complainant is requested to resend them through the journal’s official email for documentation and follow-up.
Third: Receipt and Initial Review
The Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, or a person authorized by the Editor-in-Chief acknowledges receipt of the complaint within a reasonable period. The complaint is then referred to the appropriate editorial body for initial review.
The initial review includes verifying the clarity and completeness of the complaint and determining whether it relates to the journal’s policies or publication ethics. The journal may request additional information or documents from the complainant before
proceeding with the review.
Fourth: Investigation and Decision
The journal handles complaints objectively and impartially. If the complaint concerns an Editorial Board member, reviewer, or any person directly related to the matter, that person must recuse themselves from handling the complaint, and the matter shall be assigned to an independent editor or committee.
Depending on the nature of the complaint, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:
1. Review submission records, peer-review reports, and related correspondence.
2. Request clarification from authors, reviewers, or relevant parties.
3. Refer the matter to an editorial or scientific committee when necessary.
4. Take an appropriate editorial action, such as publishing a correction, clarification, expression of concern, or retraction, if warranted.
5. Notify the relevant academic institution or authority in cases of serious or repeated ethical misconduct.
Fifth: Response to the Complaint
The journal aims to respond to complaints within a reasonable period, depending on the nature and complexity of the complaint and the need to collect evidence or communicate with relevant parties.
The response shall be official and professional and shall include the outcome of the review or the action taken, while respecting peer-review confidentiality, the privacy of authors and reviewers, and information that may not be disclosed under the journal’s policies and publication ethics.
Sixth: Confidentiality of Complaints
The journal treats all complaints, correspondence, and related documents confidentially. Information provided in a complaint is used only for reviewing the case and taking the appropriate action. Complaints must not be used to defame authors, reviewers, or Editorial Board members, or to exert improper influence on editorial decisions.
Seventh: Malicious or Unsupported Complaints
The journal reserves the right not to consider anonymous, malicious, or unsupported complaints, particularly when they contain personal abuse, general accusations, or unverifiable information. However, anonymous reports may be considered if they include clear and verifiable evidence related to research misconduct or serious ethical concerns.
Eighth: Improvement of the Complaints System
The Editorial Board is committed to reviewing recurring complaints and using them to improve the journal’s procedures, submission and peer-review system, editorial services, and the trust of authors, readers, and reviewers in the journal’s policies.
