Complaints and Appeals

1. Introduction

The International Journal of Theory and Application in Elementary and Secondary School Education (IJTAESE) is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and accountable publication process. The journal handles complaints and appeals impartially and confidentially in accordance with the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

2. Complaints

IJTAESE welcomes complaints concerning editorial procedures, publication delays, ethical concerns, editorial conduct, or non-compliance with journal policies.

Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief, accompanied by relevant details and supporting evidence. The editorial team will acknowledge receipt, investigate the concerns objectively, and communicate the outcome to the complainant.

If a complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the Editor-in-Chief, it may be referred to the publisher, Universitas Terbuka, for independent consideration.

3. Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors may appeal editorial decisions when there is reasonable evidence of:

  • Significant factual errors or misunderstandings affecting the editorial decision.

  • Procedural irregularities or potential bias during peer review.

  • Substantial evidence that warrants reconsideration of the original decision.

Appeals must be submitted by the corresponding author within 30 days of receiving the editorial decision. The appeal letter must clearly explain the grounds for reconsideration and provide supporting evidence.

The Editor-in-Chief will assess the appeal and may consult independent editorial board members or external experts. The outcome may include upholding the original decision or reconsidering the manuscript through further evaluation. The final decision will be communicated in writing.

4. Confidentiality and Record Keeping

All complaints and appeals will be handled confidentially, fairly, and without retaliation. IJTAESE will maintain appropriate records of complaints, investigations, appeals, and their outcomes to support accountability and continuous improvement.

5. COPE References

IJTAESE follows relevant COPE guidance:

  1. Complaints and Appeals — COPE

  2. Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing — COPE