Complaints and Appeals Policy

Trends in Scholarly Publishing (TSP) is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency. We recognize that concerns may arise during the editorial or publication process and have established this policy to ensure that all complaints and appeals are addressed fairly, confidentially, and efficiently.

Complaints

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction with any aspect of the journal's editorial or publishing process. Examples include:

  • Allegations of plagiarism or research misconduct
  • Concerns about the peer review process
  • Disagreements with editorial handling
  • Errors in publication (e.g., formatting, authorship, or metadata)

Procedure:

  1. Submission: Complaints should be submitted to the editorial office at connect@theacse.com. Receipt will be acknowledged within 2 working days.
  2. Details: Complainants must provide full details, including supporting documentation.
  3. Investigation: The complaint will be reviewed impartially and in line with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance where appropriate.
  4. Response: A formal response will be provided as soon as possible, usually within 15 working days. If additional time is required, the complainant will be informed of the reason and expected timeframe.

Appeals

An appeal is a request to reconsider an editorial decision, such as rejection or a revision request. Grounds for appeal include:

  • Disagreement with editorial or peer review decisions
  • Allegations of bias or misconduct by editors or reviewers
  • Disputes over authorship or attribution

Procedure:

  1. Submission: Appeals should be directed to the editorial office at connect@theacse.com. Receipt will be acknowledged within 2 working days.
  2. Details: Appeals must include a clear rationale, supporting evidence, and any relevant documentation.
  3. Investigation: Appeals will be reviewed by an independent editor or, if necessary, referred to the Editorial Board. COPE guidelines will be consulted in complex cases.
  4. Response: A decision will be communicated within 15 working days where possible. If further time is required, an explanation and revised timeframe will be provided.

Confidentiality and Privacy

All complaints and appeals are handled in strict confidence. Information will only be shared with individuals directly involved in the investigation and resolution. The identity of complainants or appellants will not be disclosed without their consent, except when required by law.

Commitment

TSP takes all complaints and appeals seriously and seeks to resolve them in a fair, transparent, and timely manner. Authors, reviewers, and readers are encouraged to raise concerns at connect@theacse.com, where they will be addressed in line with best practice and ethical standards.