Complaints & Appeals

Scopapers welcomes feedback and takes complaints seriously as a way of maintaining and improving the quality and integrity of the journals hosted on the platform. This procedure explains how to raise a complaint or appeal a decision and what you can expect from us.

What this procedure covers

This procedure covers complaints about the handling, standards, or conduct of the editorial process, including the peer review of a manuscript, the behaviour of editors, reviewers, or staff, publication ethics, and the accuracy of the published record. It also covers appeals against editorial decisions where an author believes a decision was reached in error or without due process.

Appealing an editorial decision

An author who wishes to appeal a decision should write to the editorial office within a reasonable time, setting out clearly and specifically the grounds for the appeal and responding to the points raised during review. Appeals are considered by an editor who was not responsible for the original decision where possible. New review may be sought. Editorial decisions made on scholarly merit are final once an appeal has been considered, and we do not enter into repeated correspondence on the same matter.

Making a complaint

Complaints should be sent to [email protected] with enough detail to allow us to understand and investigate the issue, including the journal, article, or people concerned and, where relevant, any supporting evidence. We acknowledge complaints promptly and aim to resolve them fairly and within a reasonable time, keeping the complainant informed of progress.

How complaints are handled

Complaints are investigated in line with the Core Practices and flowcharts of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We treat those involved fairly, give them an opportunity to respond, base our conclusions on the evidence, and keep a record of the process. Where a complaint concerns an editor or member of staff, it is handled by someone independent of the person complained about. Outcomes may include an explanation, an apology, a correction or retraction of the published record, or changes to our procedures.

If you remain dissatisfied

If a complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction and it concerns a matter of publication ethics, you may refer it to the Committee on Publication Ethics. We remain committed to addressing legitimate concerns openly and constructively.