EDITORIAL STANDARDS
Appeals &
Complaints
A clear process for appealing editorial decisions and submitting complaints concerning journals, editorial staff, or the publisher.
Fair process Documented and confidential
Bayrakol Medical Publishing maintains a defined process for handling appeals of editorial decisions and complaints relating to its journals, editorial boards, editorial staff, or the publisher. Cases are handled promptly, objectively, and confidentially, in accordance with applicable COPE guidance.
This policy applies across journals published under the Bayrakol imprint. Journal-specific editorial correspondence should be directed to the relevant journal through its official website whenever the matter concerns a particular manuscript or editorial decision.
APPEALS OF EDITORIAL DECISIONS
Grounded and
documented appeals
Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they believe a substantive error occurred in the editorial or peer-review process, or when new information material to the decision has become available.
- Appeals must be submitted in writing and include the manuscript identifier, a clear statement of the grounds for appeal, and supporting documentation.
- Disagreement with the scientific judgment of reviewers or editors, without evidence of procedural error or new material information, is not ordinarily sufficient grounds for appeal.
- Appeals are assessed in the first instance by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor who was not solely responsible for the original decision, where practicable.
- Where warranted, the appeal may be referred for additional editorial review or independent peer review before a final decision is issued.
- An appeal does not guarantee reversal of the original decision. Once the journal’s appeal process is completed, the editorial decision is final.
COMPLAINTS
Conduct, process,
and integrity
Complaints may concern editorial or peer-review conduct, breaches of confidentiality, undisclosed conflicts of interest, irregularities in editorial process, unresponsiveness, or other matters affecting publication ethics or scholarly integrity.
- Complaints should describe the issue clearly, identify the journal or manuscript concerned where applicable, and include relevant supporting documentation.
- Complaints are assessed confidentially. Parties with a conflict of interest in the matter are excluded from the investigation where practicable.
- Allegations of research or publication misconduct are handled under the publisher’s publication ethics and malpractice procedures and applicable COPE guidance.
- Complainants are informed of the process that will be followed and receive updates appropriate to the stage of review.
- Unlike editorial appeals, unresolved complaints may proceed from journal-level review to publisher-level review where the matter concerns editorial conduct, process, or publication ethics.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Written submission
Clear documentation
Appeals and complaints must be submitted in writing. Anonymous submissions may be considered where the concern raises a serious issue of scholarly integrity and sufficient information is provided for assessment.
- For manuscript- or journal-specific appeals and complaints, contact the relevant journal through its official website.
- For matters concerning the publisher or unresolved journal-level issues, write to bayrakolmp@gmail.com.
- Include sufficient identifying and documentary detail to allow prompt assessment, while avoiding unnecessary disclosure of confidential information to third parties.
Bayrakol Medical Publishing aims to acknowledge receipt promptly and to handle cases as promptly as reasonably practicable, taking into account their complexity, while keeping correspondents appropriately informed during review.
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
Proportionate
editorial response
Outcomes depend on the nature and severity of the issue and on the evidence available.
- Confirmation, modification, or reversal of an editorial decision, where an appeal is upheld in whole or in part.
- Correction of process, additional editorial oversight, or other remedial measures.
- Publication of a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, where warranted to protect the scholarly record.
- Notification of relevant institutions or other parties, where appropriate.
- Closure of the matter with a reasoned explanation when no further action is required.
ESCALATION
Unresolved matters
Further review
Editorial appeals conclude at journal level. Complaints about editorial conduct, process, or publication ethics may proceed to publisher-level review after journal procedures have been completed. If a complainant remains dissatisfied thereafter, the matter may be referred to an appropriate external body where such a route is available.
Editorial independence is preserved throughout. Appeals and complaints are handled separately from commercial considerations, and decisions continue to rest on scientific merit, ethical standards, and established editorial policy.