United Journal of Chemistry (UJC)
United Journal of Chemistry is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics, transparency, and editorial integrity. This Complaints and Appeals Policy describes the procedures for handling complaints, concerns, and appeals in a fair, objective, and timely manner.
The journal follows internationally recognized best practices, including the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Scope of Complaints
This policy applies to complaints related to:
- Editorial decisions (acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts)
- Allegations of plagiarism or duplicate publication
- Research misconduct (fabrication, falsification, data manipulation)
- Ethical concerns (human or animal research violations)
- Conflicts of interest
- Reviewer bias or inappropriate reviewer conduct
- Editorial board member conduct
- Delays in peer review or publication process
- Authorship disputes
- Intellectual property or copyright concerns
Complaints may be submitted by authors, reviewers, readers, editorial board members, or other stakeholders.
General Principles
All complaints will be handled according to the following principles:
- Fairness and Impartiality: Complaints will be evaluated objectively and without bias.
- Confidentiality: Information related to complaints will be treated confidentially.
- Transparency: Decisions and outcomes will be clearly communicated to the complainant.
- Timeliness: Complaints will normally be acknowledged within 5 working days and resolved within two weeks, where possible. Complex cases may require additional time.
- No Retaliation: Individuals raising concerns in good faith will not face retaliation.
Procedure for Handling Complaints
Submission of Complaint
Complaints must be submitted in writing via the official journal email address. The complaint should include:
- Full name and contact details of the complainant
- Clear description of the issue
- Manuscript title, ID, or relevant details (if applicable)
- Supporting documents or evidence, if available
Anonymous complaints may be considered if sufficient evidence is provided.
Initial Assessment
The Chief Editor or a designated editorial representative will:
- Acknowledge receipt of the complaint
- Assess whether the complaint falls within the scope of journal policy
- Determine whether further investigation is required
If the complaint concerns the Chief Editor, it will be handled by an independent Editorial Board member.
Investigation
If necessary, the journal may:
- Contact the authors, reviewers, or editors involved
- Request additional documentation
- Consult independent reviewers or subject experts
- Follow COPE flowcharts for ethical investigations
In cases involving institutional misconduct, the matter may be referred to the relevant institution or research body.
Decision and Outcome
After investigation, the journal may take appropriate action, including:
- Providing clarification or explanation
- Issuing a correction or erratum
- Publishing an expression of concern
- Retracting the article
- Rejecting or reconsidering a manuscript
- Removing or replacing a reviewer or editor
The complainant will be informed of the outcome in writing.
Appeals Against Editorial Decisions
Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision must:
- Submit a formal written appeal
- Provide detailed justification for reconsideration
- Include specific responses to reviewer or editorial comments
Appeals will be reviewed by the Chief Editor or an independent Editorial Board member not involved in the original decision. The decision following an appeal is final.
Research Misconduct and Ethical Violations
Allegations of research misconduct (including plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical research practices) will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines.
Where misconduct is confirmed, appropriate corrective action will be taken to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.
Continuous Improvement
United Journal of Chemistry values constructive feedback and uses complaints as an opportunity to improve editorial processes and service quality.
Contact Information
All complaints and appeals should be submitted to the official editorial email address of United Journal of Chemistry.