CIJFMR wants authors, reviewers and readers to be able to raise concerns easily and to have them dealt with fairly. This page explains how to appeal an editorial decision and how to complain about any other aspect of the Journal.
1. Appeals against editorial decisions
1.1 Grounds for appeal
Authors may appeal a decision to reject a manuscript where they believe that the decision rests on a factual error or a clear misunderstanding of the manuscript; a reviewer or editor had an undisclosed conflict of interest; or the Journal did not follow its Peer review policy. Disagreement with a reviewer's scholarly judgement, without more, is not a ground for appeal.
1.2 How to appeal
The corresponding author sends the appeal to editor@cijfmr.com within 30 days of the decision, with the subject line "Appeal: [manuscript reference number]". The appeal should identify the decision; state the grounds; respond specifically to the reviewer's and editor's comments, with evidence; and state any new information that was not available at the time of the decision. Please do not submit a revised manuscript with the appeal unless the Journal invites it.
1.3 How appeals are decided
The Editor-in-Chief, or a senior editor who did not take part in the original decision, considers the appeal and may consult the original reviewer, invite a new reviewer or seek the view of the editorial board. The Journal aims to give a reasoned outcome within 30 days. The appeal editor may uphold the original decision, invite the authors to submit a revised manuscript for further review, or send the manuscript for fresh review. Only one appeal is considered per manuscript, and its outcome is final.
2. Complaints
2.1 What you can complain about
Anyone may complain about the Journal's processes, policies or conduct, for example unreasonable delays in handling a manuscript; discourteous or unprofessional conduct by an editor, reviewer or staff member; the handling of personal data; payment issues; or the accuracy of information on the Journal's website. Concerns about research misconduct are handled under the Publication ethics and malpractice statement.
2.2 How to complain
Send your complaint to editor@cijfmr.com with the subject line "Complaint", stating your name and contact details; the manuscript reference number or article link, if relevant; what happened, with dates and supporting documents; and the outcome you are seeking.
2.3 How complaints are handled
- Acknowledgement within 5 working days.
- Investigation by a person not involved in the matter.
- Response in writing within 30 days, explaining what was found and any action taken. Where an investigation takes longer, the Journal keeps the complainant informed.
- Escalation: if you are not satisfied, you may ask for the response to be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or, where the complaint concerns the Editor-in-Chief, by the Publisher.
A complaint about an editor never goes to that editor for decision.
3. Our commitments
- Every appeal and complaint is treated seriously, courteously and confidentially.
- Making an appeal or complaint never affects how the Journal handles your other submissions.
- Complaints are used to improve the Journal's processes.