Complaints & Appeals
The International Journal of Embryo Cryobiology and Reproductive Sciences is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and ethical publishing process. The journal welcomes legitimate complaints and appeals concerning editorial decisions, peer review, publication ethics, authorship, and other aspects of the publication process.
1. Purpose of Complaints and Appeals
The complaints and appeals process provides authors, reviewers, readers, and other stakeholders with an appropriate way to raise concerns regarding the journal's editorial or publishing activities.
Complaints may relate to:
- Editorial decisions or procedures.
- Peer review.
- Publication ethics.
- Authorship and contribution issues.
- Plagiarism or duplicate publication.
- Conflicts of interest.
- Research integrity.
- Publication errors.
- Copyright or licensing concerns.
- Editorial or publishing conduct.
2. Appeals Against Editorial Decisions
Authors who believe that an editorial decision was made in error may submit an appeal to the editorial team.
An appeal should provide:
- The manuscript title and relevant submission information.
- The specific decision being appealed.
- Clear reasons supporting the appeal.
- Responses to relevant reviewer or editorial comments.
- Any additional information that may assist reconsideration.
3. Grounds for Appeal
An appeal may be considered when the author believes that:
- A significant misunderstanding of the manuscript occurred.
- Important information was overlooked.
- There was a procedural error during the review process.
- A reviewer may have had a significant conflict of interest.
- The editorial decision was based on an incorrect interpretation of the submitted work.
Simply disagreeing with a reviewer's academic opinion may not, by itself, constitute sufficient grounds for an appeal.
4. Complaint Submission
Complaints should be presented clearly, factually, and professionally to the appropriate editorial or publishing contact.
Where possible, complainants should provide sufficient information and supporting evidence to allow the concern to be properly evaluated.
5. Review of Complaints
The journal may review complaints internally and may request additional information from authors, reviewers, editors, institutions, or other relevant parties when necessary.
Complaints should be handled fairly, objectively, and confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.
6. Publication Ethics Complaints
Concerns regarding plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, unethical research, duplicate publication, authorship disputes, or other forms of misconduct may be investigated in accordance with appropriate publication-ethics procedures.
Where necessary, the journal may request clarification or supporting documentation.
7. Reviewer-Related Complaints
If an author believes that a review contains inappropriate, discriminatory, offensive, or clearly conflicted comments, the concern may be raised with the editorial team.
The journal may assess whether the review was conducted appropriately and may take suitable action where necessary.
8. Conflict of Interest
Complaints involving undisclosed conflicts of interest should provide relevant information explaining the potential conflict.
The journal may evaluate the matter and determine whether further action is appropriate.
9. Confidentiality
The journal aims to maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling complaints and appeals.
Information will be shared only with individuals who need it to assess or resolve the matter, subject to applicable requirements.
10. Editorial Independence
Complaints and appeals should be considered independently of commercial interests or other inappropriate influences.
Editorial decisions should be based on scholarly quality, relevance, research integrity, ethical standards, and applicable journal policies.
