Complaints & Appeals Policy

Nature and Procedure of Complaints
JEES adheres to ethical publishing standards and, where applicable, follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance in handling complaints. Concerns regarding journal policies, editorial processes, ethics compliance, or published content may be submitted in writing through the journal’s official contact channel with a detailed description and supporting evidence. The Editorial Office will acknowledge receipt within a reasonable timeframe and initiate an impartial assessment. Confidentiality is maintained throughout; no retaliatory action against complainants or involved parties is tolerated. All materials are retained for the journal’s records.

Allegations of Misconduct
Formal allegations of plagiarism, data fabrication/falsification, duplicate submission, inappropriate authorship, improper use of human data, or other forms of misconduct should be addressed in writing to the Editor-in-Chief. In accordance with COPE procedures, the journal will conduct an initial assessment, seek clarifications from authors and reviewers as needed, request primary data and ethics approvals, and may consult an independent adviser. Outcomes will be proportionate to the findings and may include correction, erratum, expression of concern, or retraction; where appropriate, institutions or funders may be notified.

General Complaints
For non-misconduct concerns—such as communication, timeliness, manuscript handling, website information, or production issues—complainants should submit a written statement and evidence. The Editorial Office will first attempt resolution with the handling editor; unresolved matters will be escalated to the Managing/Executive Editor or the Editor-in-Chief for review and a written response. Verified factual errors in published content will be corrected promptly.

Appealing a Publication Decision
The Editor-in-Chief retains discretion over the suitability of manuscripts for publication. Rejection decisions are issued with reasons. As a rule, rejection appeals are not permitted; however, if an author provides clear evidence of a material factual error, procedural irregularity, undisclosed conflict of interest, or demonstrable bias in the review process, a written appeal may be submitted within a reasonable period after the decision, with a point-by-point rationale and supporting evidence. The Editor-in-Chief will determine whether to initiate an independent re-review (with a different editor and reviewers) or to uphold the original decision. The outcome is communicated in writing and constitutes the journal’s final decision. Appeals may not be used to introduce new data or substantive revisions that should instead be submitted as a fresh manuscript.

Complaints Involving the Editor-in-Chief
If a complaint concerns the Editor-in-Chief, the case will be handled by the journal’s ethics adviser or a designated independent editor, with input from the publisher as needed, to ensure independence and proper recusal.

Timelines and Record-Keeping
Receipt of complaints is acknowledged within a reasonable timeframe; an initial assessment is conducted promptly, and substantive updates are provided at key stages until a final determination is reached. All documentation and decisions are archived to support compliance review and continuous improvement.