Complaints and Appeals Policy

The International Journal of Educational Administration and Leadership (IJEDAL) is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and accountable editorial process. The journal takes complaints and appeals seriously and handles them objectively, confidentially, and in accordance with established principles of publication ethics.

Editorial Appeals

Authors have the right to appeal an editorial decision if they believe that a significant error occurred during the editorial or peer review process or that the decision was based on a substantial misunderstanding of the manuscript.

An appeal must:

  1. Be submitted by the corresponding author.
  2. Clearly identify the manuscript concerned.
  3. Provide specific reasons for the appeal.
  4. Respond to the scientific or editorial grounds on which the decision was based.
  5. Include supporting evidence where appropriate.

Appeals based solely on disagreement with reviewer comments or the editorial decision, without substantive justification, will not normally be reconsidered.

The appeal will first be reviewed to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for reconsideration. Where appropriate, the manuscript and relevant editorial records may be evaluated by an editor or Editorial Board member who was not involved in the original decision.

The outcome of the appeal may be to uphold the original decision, reconsider the manuscript, obtain additional independent review, or take another action considered appropriate by the journal.

Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reversal of the original editorial decision.

Complaints

Complaints may relate to any aspect of the journal's policies, procedures, editorial conduct, peer review process, publication ethics, staff conduct, or published content.

Complaints should clearly describe:

  1. The nature of the complaint.
  2. The manuscript or published article concerned, where applicable.
  3. Relevant dates, correspondence, or supporting documentation.
  4. The action or resolution requested by the complainant.

The journal will acknowledge complaints and conduct an initial assessment. Complaints that raise substantive concerns will be investigated objectively and confidentially. The journal may request additional information from the complainant or other parties involved.

Complaints Concerning Editors

A complaint concerning the conduct or decision of an editor will not be handled solely by the editor who is the subject of the complaint.

Such complaints will be referred to another senior editor, an uninvolved member of the Editorial Board, or the Publisher, as appropriate. Where necessary, the journal may seek independent advice.

Complaints Concerning the Editor in Chief

Complaints concerning the Editor in Chief will be referred directly to the Publisher. The Editor in Chief will not participate in the investigation or decision making process concerning such complaints.

The Publisher may seek advice from independent experts where necessary to ensure a fair and impartial review.

Publication Ethics Complaints

Complaints involving suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, authorship disputes, data fabrication or falsification, undisclosed conflicts of interest, peer review manipulation, citation manipulation, or other forms of research or publication misconduct will be handled in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics Policy and relevant COPE guidance.

Where necessary, the journal may contact authors' institutions, research integrity offices, funding bodies, other journals, or other relevant organizations as part of an investigation.

The journal will distinguish between the responsibility to correct the scholarly record and the responsibility of institutions to investigate possible researcher misconduct.

Post Publication Complaints

Concerns about published articles may be raised at any time. Depending on the nature and outcome of the investigation, the journal may take appropriate action, including:

  1. Publishing a correction.
  2. Publishing an editorial note.
  3. Publishing an expression of concern.
  4. Retracting the article.
  5. Taking no further action when the concern is not substantiated.

Any action affecting the published scholarly record will be taken in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policies and relevant international guidelines.

Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest

Complaints and appeals will be handled confidentially. Information will be shared only with individuals whose involvement is necessary for a fair investigation and resolution.

Any editor or Editorial Board member with a conflict of interest concerning a complaint or appeal will be excluded from the evaluation and decision making process.

Submission of Complaints and Appeals

Complaints and appeals should be submitted by email to the journal's official editorial contact address.

The correspondence should include the complainant's full name and contact information, the manuscript ID or DOI where applicable, and a clear description of the issue.

The journal aims to acknowledge complaints and appeals promptly and to provide a reasoned response after the matter has been adequately reviewed. Complex cases may require additional time, particularly where consultation with independent experts, institutions, or other organizations is necessary.

Final Review

The journal will make every reasonable effort to resolve complaints and appeals fairly and transparently. Where a matter cannot be resolved internally, the journal or Publisher may seek independent advice or refer to relevant publication ethics guidance.

The journal follows the principles and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in handling complaints, appeals, and allegations of publication misconduct.