Complaints and Appeals:

The following procedure pertains to appeals regarding editorial decisions, concerns about delays in handling articles, and issues related to publication ethics. Initially, any complaint1 should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief or General Editor. If the Editor-in-Chief or General Editor is implicated in the complaint, please be assured that you may seek assistance from the designated in-house publishing contact at appeals@blueeyesintelligence.org.

Appeal for the Reassessment of Declined Article:
The Editor-in-Chief or General Editor thoroughly evaluates the authors’ arguments alongside reviewer feedback, demonstrating respect for their work and opinions to determine the appropriateness of the rejection decision. They may conclude that additional independent assessment is necessary or that the appeal warrants due consideration. The complainant, a crucial part of the process, is notified of the resolution, accompanied by an explanation when required. This explanation will detail the reasons for the decision, giving the complainant a clear understanding of the evaluation process. It is significant to note that decisions regarding appeals are conclusive, and new submissions are prioritised over pending appeals.

Complaints About Processes (e.g. more time taken for review process): 
Regarding complaints about processes, such as delays in review, the Editor-in-Chief plays a key role. In collaboration with the Handling Editor, if applicable, and/or designated in-house contact, the Editor-in-Chief will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter under consideration. The complainant will be provided with pertinent updates regarding the progress and resolution of the investigation. Additionally, information will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders to improve existing processes and protocols.

Complaints About Publication Ethics (e.g. researcher’s author’s, or reviewer’s conduct):
The Editor-in-Chief or General Editor may seek counsel from the publisher’s in-house liaison for assistance with complex cases. Decision-making and communication with the complainant rests with the Editor-in-Chief or the Handling Editor. Should the complainant find the resolution unsatisfactory, they can escalate the matter to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)2.

References:

  1. Publication Ethics: Journal Complaints and Appeals Process
  2. COPE: Complaints and Appeals