Appeals and Complaints

Atlas Journal of Social Sciences handles appeals and complaints through due process, editorial independence, confidentiality and publication ethics, in line with COPE Core Practices and the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice.

Scope

An appeal requests reconsideration of an editorial decision. A complaint raises a concern about the journal, editors, reviewers, Board, publisher or procedures. This includes rejection appeals, technical errors, conflicts or bias, procedural failures, delays, confidentiality breaches, inappropriate communication, coercive citation, peer-review misconduct, and concerns about published content or ethics procedures.

How to Submit

Submit in writing to office@iksadinstitute.org. The Editorial Office conducts initial review. Matters involving the Editor-in-Chief go to an independent editor or ethics representative.

Appeals

Appeals must be filed within 30 calendar days. Administrative screening is performed by the Managing Editor / Editorial Office. The merits are reviewed by an authority who did not make the contested decision alone. The decision may be upheld, further assessment requested, or new review initiated. Normally one substantive appeal is considered per submission, and the final internal decision is communicated in writing.

Complaints

Complaints are referred according to their nature. Allegations of misconduct may also be referred to institutions, funders, ethics committees or competent authorities.

External Review

After internal procedures are exhausted, complainants may approach an institutional research-integrity office, ethics committee, funder or other authority. Where applicable, COPE's complaints mechanism may be used for alleged breaches of membership obligations.

Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation

Good-faith submissions are handled as confidentially as possible. Anonymous submissions may be considered based on evidence. No retaliation is permitted. Malicious, threatening or harassing submissions may be closed with written reasons.

Target Timelines

Receipt is normally acknowledged within five business days; initial screening within 14 business days; and a final internal decision within 60 business days. Complex cases may take up to 90 business days, with written notice.

Last updated: April 4, 2026.