Appeals and complaints

Public Health, Economics and Management in Medicine is committed to maintaining fairness, transparency, and integrity in the editorial process. Appeals and complaints are handled in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Reasons for Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe a significant error occurred in the decision-making process or if there is substantial evidence that the decision was based on an inaccurate assessment of the manuscript’s scientific content. Appeals based solely on disagreements with subjective reviewer or editor evaluations, without clear evidence, are generally not considered. Complaints may relate to issues such as editorial misconduct, procedural irregularities, ethical concerns, or perceived unfair treatment during the editorial process.

Submitting Appeals and Complaints

Authors wishing to submit an appeal or complaint should send a detailed letter directly to the Editor-in-Chief via email at redactor.spemm [at] gmail.com. The communication should clearly include:

  • Specific reasons for the appeal or complaint, including justification or supporting evidence
  • Manuscript title and reference number
  • Correspondence or relevant documents supporting the appeal or complaint

Handling Appeals and Complaints

All appeals and complaints will initially be reviewed by the Editorial Board to determine the validity and merit of the request. The Editorial Board may consult external experts or COPE resources if necessary. The Editor-in-Chief, after careful consideration of all relevant information, will make the final decision regarding the appeal or complaint. Authors will be promptly informed of this decision and provided with clear explanations for any actions taken or not taken.

Timeline

Authors can expect acknowledgment of receipt of their appeal or complaint within 7 working days of submission. A detailed response regarding the outcome will be provided within 30 days, unless exceptional circumstances require additional time, in which case authors will be informed accordingly.

Confidentiality

All appeals and complaints will be treated confidentially. Information regarding appeals and complaints will be disclosed only to individuals directly involved in reviewing and resolving them.

Public Health, Economics and Management in Medicine remains committed to resolving appeals and complaints promptly, fairly, and transparently, ensuring the integrity of the scientific record and editorial standards.