COMPLAINT AND APPEAL POLICY

JBPT follows the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and internationally recognized standards of responsible scholarly publishing.

Complaints and Appeals

The Journal of Biomolecules, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics (JBPT) follows COPE principles for handling complaints and appeals concerning editorial decisions, peer-review procedures, publication ethics, or journal processes. Authors may appeal a rejection or raise concerns regarding editorial handling by submitting a written and reasoned appeal to the Editorial Office.

Appeals should clearly identify the manuscript and explain the specific grounds for reconsideration. Where applicable, authors should provide supporting evidence identifying a possible procedural error, factual misunderstanding, significant new information, or other circumstance that may have materially affected the editorial decision.

Appeal Review Process

1. Written Appeal The author submits a reasoned appeal identifying the manuscript and the specific basis for reconsideration.
2. Independent Assessment The appeal is assessed objectively and, where appropriate, independently of the original decision-making process.
3. Editorial Examination The manuscript history, peer-review reports, editorial correspondence, and relevant records may be examined.
4. Final Outcome The original decision may be confirmed, reconsidered, or referred for further editorial assessment.

Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reversal of the original decision. Appeals are considered on their merits, and decisions following a properly conducted appeal process are normally regarded as final.

Post-Publication Complaints

Concerns relating to published articles, including allegations of research misconduct, data fabrication or falsification, plagiarism, image manipulation, authorship disputes, undisclosed conflicts of interest, ethical approval concerns, duplicate publication, or other issues affecting the reliability of the scholarly record, may be reported to the Editorial Office.

Editorial Investigation: Post-publication concerns are evaluated objectively and confidentially. Where necessary, JBPT may seek explanations from authors, consult reviewers or subject experts, examine relevant editorial records, or communicate with appropriate institutional or regulatory authorities.

Post-Publication Corrective Actions

Following an appropriate investigation, JBPT may take corrective action proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the concern. Actions may include a correction, clarification, editorial statement, expression of concern, or retraction where warranted.

  • • Correction: Issued when an error affects the accuracy of the published record but does not invalidate the overall article.
  • • Editorial Statement: May be published when readers require clarification regarding an important issue associated with an article.
  • • Expression of Concern: May be issued when substantial concerns exist but an investigation has not yet reached a definitive conclusion.
  • • Retraction: May be considered when serious errors, research misconduct, unreliable findings, ethical violations, or other circumstances substantially compromise the integrity of the published article.

Transparency of the Scholarly Record

Where a correction, expression of concern, or retraction is warranted, JBPT will maintain an appropriate connection between the editorial notice and the original publication to preserve the integrity and transparency of the scholarly record.

Editorial Independence: Complaints and appeals are reviewed independently of commercial, institutional, or personal interests. Individuals with a relevant conflict of interest will not participate in the assessment or final determination.

Confidentiality and Contact

Complaints and appeals are handled confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. JBPT will make reasonable efforts to ensure that individuals who raise legitimate concerns in good faith are treated fairly and are not subject to retaliation.

JBPT Editorial Office
Complaints, appeals, and post-publication concerns should be submitted through the official JBPT Editorial Office contact channel.