Complaints & Appeals Policy

AJSMR aims to handle every submission fairly and professionally. This policy explains how authors can appeal an editorial decision and how anyone can make a complaint about the journal. It follows the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors who believe that a rejection or other decision was based on a factual error, a misunderstanding, or a reviewer's conflict of interest may appeal once per manuscript.

1. Send the appeal by e-mail to the Editor-in-Chief at editorajsmr@gmail.com within 30 days of the decision, with the subject line "Appeal – [manuscript title]".
2. Explain clearly why the decision should be reconsidered and respond point by point to the reviewers' and editor's comments, with supporting evidence.
3. The Editor-in-Chief, or an editor not previously involved with the manuscript, reviews the appeal and may consult the original reviewers or an additional independent reviewer.
4. The author receives a written response, normally within 30 days. The decision on the appeal is final.

Manuscripts under appeal must not be submitted to another journal until the appeal is decided, unless the authors withdraw the appeal.

Complaints

Anyone (author, reviewer, reader or member of the public) may complain about the journal's editorial process, its policies, a delay in handling, or the conduct of an editor, reviewer or staff member.

• Send complaints to editorajsmr@gmail.com. Complaints about the Editor-in-Chief should be sent to the publisher at aira@airaacademy.com.
• Include your name and contact details, the manuscript or article concerned (if any), and a clear description of the problem.
• We will acknowledge the complaint within 7 working days and aim to resolve it within 30 days. If it will take longer, we will explain why and give a new date.
• Complaints are handled confidentially by someone not involved in the matter complained about.
• If a complainant is not satisfied with the outcome, they may escalate the matter to the publisher. Complainants may also contact COPE if they believe the journal has not followed COPE guidance.

Allegations of Research or Publication Misconduct

Concerns about plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, duplicate publication, authorship disputes, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or unethical research are investigated according to the COPE flowcharts. See the Plagiarism, Research Integrity & Retraction Policy. Allegations may be made anonymously if supported by sufficient evidence.

Post-Publication Discussion and Corrections

Readers who find an error in a published article, or who wish to comment on it, may write to the editorial office. Where appropriate, the journal publishes a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction, linked to the original article.

Last updated: September 2026