Submission and Follow-Up of Complaints

Al-Fateh Journal for Educational and Psychological Research allows authors, reviewers, readers, and other concerned parties to submit complaints relating to manuscript submission, peer review, editorial procedures, confidentiality, publication ethics, or published content.

Complaints are handled professionally, fairly, and confidentially in accordance with the journal’s published Complaints Policy.

First: Official Channels for Submitting Complaints

Complaints must be submitted through the journal’s online system or official email address:

jfath@uodiyala.edu.iq

Messages sent through messaging applications such as WhatsApp or Telegram, personal accounts, or social media platforms are not regarded as formal complaints. Such messages must be resubmitted through the official channels to ensure proper registration, follow-up, and protection of confidential information and attached documents.

Second: Required Information

A complaint should include, as far as possible:

  1. The complainant’s name, role, and official contact information.
  2. The manuscript title and identification number in the journal’s system, or the title, link, or DOI of the published article concerned.
  3. A clear and specific description of the complaint and the relevant circumstances.
  4. The date on which the issue occurred or was discovered.
  5. Any supporting documents, correspondence, or evidence.
  6. The action or remedy requested by the complainant.

The journal may request additional information or documents when the submitted information is insufficient to examine the complaint.

Third: Receipt and Examination of Complaints

  1. The journal acknowledges receipt of a complaint within no more than five working days.
  2. The complaint undergoes an initial assessment to verify its clarity, the completeness of the information provided, and whether it falls within the journal’s responsibility.
  3. The journal seeks to complete the initial assessment within fifteen working days.
  4. The complaint is referred to the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, or another authorized individual or committee for examination.
  5. When a complaint concerns a person who participated in the decision or procedure under complaint, that person must recuse themselves, and the complaint shall be referred to an independent individual or committee.
  6. The journal may review submission records, peer-review reports, and correspondence, request explanations from the parties concerned, and consult an independent expert when necessary.

Fourth: Response to the Complaint

The journal seeks to issue a final response within thirty working days from the date on which all information and documents required to examine the complaint have been received.

The review period may be extended when the complaint is complex, requires specialist advice, or involves communication with an external institution. In such cases, the complainant shall be informed of the reason for the delay and the stage reached in the process.

The response shall state the outcome of the complaint review and any action taken, within the limits permitted by confidentiality requirements and the protection of authors’ and reviewers’ personal information.

Fifth: Confidentiality and Protection of the Complainant

Complaints, correspondence, and related documents are treated confidentially. Access is limited to individuals authorized to examine the complaint.

Submitting a complaint in good faith shall not disadvantage the complainant or adversely affect their current or future manuscripts or interactions with the journal.

The journal may consider anonymous complaints when they contain specific information and clear, verifiable evidence of serious scientific or ethical misconduct.

Sixth: Complaints That May Not Be Pursued

The journal may decline to pursue a complaint when it is:

  1. Based on general allegations without verifiable information.
  2. Containing abusive language or personal threats.
  3. Repetitive and previously resolved without the submission of new evidence.
  4. Submitted for the purpose of pressuring the journal or improperly influencing an editorial decision.
  5. Outside the journal’s area of responsibility.

Closing an incomplete or inadmissible complaint does not prevent the journal from examining any credible evidence of possible scientific or ethical misconduct contained within it.

Seventh: Complaints and Appeals

This page explains how complaints are submitted and followed up. A reasoned scientific objection to a manuscript acceptance or rejection decision must be submitted and considered under the journal’s published Appeals Policy.

The detailed provisions of the journal’s approved Complaints Policy apply to all complaints submitted to the journal.