Complaints and appeals
Complaints and Appeals Policy
Terabit: Journal of Informatics and Computing is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and ethical publication process. This policy outlines the procedures for handling complaints and appeals related to the journal’s editorial processes. The journal follows the Core Practices established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Types of Complaints
Complaints may include, but are not limited to:
- Allegations of research misconduct or ethical violations
- Concerns about bias or unfair editorial decisions
- Disputes related to the peer-review process
- Plagiarism or copyright infringement claims
- Undisclosed conflicts of interest
Submission of Complaints
Complaints may be submitted by authors, reviewers, readers, or other stakeholders via the journal’s official email. The complaint must include:
- Complainant’s contact information
- A clear description of the issue
- Supporting evidence (if available)
Confidentiality
All complaints will be handled confidentially. The journal ensures the protection of the identity of both the complainant and the parties involved, except where disclosure is necessary for investigation.
Initial Assessment
The editorial office will conduct an initial evaluation to determine whether the complaint falls within the journal’s scope and whether further investigation is required.
Investigation Process
If the complaint is valid, the editorial board will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. This may include consultation with relevant parties and examination of supporting evidence.
Resolution
The journal will make every effort to resolve complaints in a timely manner. The complainant will be informed of the outcome and any actions taken.
Appeals
If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision, an appeal may be submitted with a clear explanation and any additional supporting evidence.
Appeals Handling
Appeals will be reviewed by an independent party or committee not involved in the initial decision to ensure fairness and objectivity.
Final Decision
The decision made after the appeal process is final. The journal will communicate the outcome clearly to the complainant.
Transparency
The journal maintains records of complaints and their resolutions. Information may be reported in an anonymized form to ensure transparency while protecting confidentiality.
Policy Review
This policy is periodically reviewed and updated to ensure alignment with best practices and ethical standards.
