Complaints and Appeals

Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology is committed to providing a fair, transparent, and impartial process for handling complaints and appeals. This policy outlines the procedures for submitting complaints concerning the journal, its staff, editorial board, or publisher, as well as the procedures for appealing editorial decisions. The journal aims to ensure that all complaints and appeals are handled promptly and fairly, with due consideration for confidentiality, accountability, and the integrity of scholarly publishing.

Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology follows the Core Practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Types of Complaints

Complaints may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Allegations of research misconduct or ethical violations in published articles;

  • Claims of bias, discrimination, or unfair treatment by the editorial board or journal staff;

  • Disputes concerning the peer-review process or editorial procedures;

  • Allegations of copyright infringement or plagiarism;

  • Concerns regarding conflicts of interest or undisclosed competing interests;

  • Complaints about the journal's editorial management, publication practices, or professional conduct.

Submitting a Complaint

Authors, reviewers, readers, and other concerned individuals may submit complaints regarding any aspect of the operations of the Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology through the journal's official contact email address.

Complaints should include the complainant's contact information, a clear and detailed description of the issue, and any relevant supporting evidence or documentation. Complaints should be submitted in good faith and provide sufficient information to enable an appropriate assessment.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology recognizes the importance of protecting the confidentiality and privacy of complainants and other individuals involved in the investigation. Complaints will be handled confidentially, and personal information will be shared only with individuals who need it for the assessment or investigation, subject to applicable legal and ethical requirements.

Anonymous complaints may be considered when sufficient information or evidence is provided to allow a meaningful assessment. However, anonymity may limit the journal's ability to seek clarification or communicate the outcome directly.

Initial Assessment

Upon receiving a complaint, the editorial office of the Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the complaint falls within the scope of this policy and whether sufficient information is available to proceed.

If the complaint falls outside the journal's remit, the complainant will be informed and, where appropriate, directed to the relevant institution, organization, or authority. If additional information is required, the journal may request clarification or supporting documentation from the complainant.

Investigation Process

If a complaint is considered sufficiently substantiated and falls within the scope of this policy, the editorial board or an appropriately appointed independent party will conduct an impartial investigation.

The investigation may involve reviewing relevant manuscripts, editorial records, peer-review reports, correspondence, and other documentation, as well as requesting statements from the parties concerned. The journal will provide relevant parties with a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations when appropriate.

Investigations will be conducted in accordance with the principles of fairness, confidentiality, and due process, taking into account the nature and seriousness of the complaint and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Involvement of the Editorial Board and Publisher

If a complaint concerns a member of the editorial board, the Editor-in-Chief, the publisher, or another individual who would ordinarily be responsible for handling the matter, that individual must not participate in the investigation or decision-making process.

In such cases, the complaint will be referred to an independent editor, an appropriate representative of the publisher, or another impartial party with no relevant conflict of interest. This procedure is intended to protect the independence and credibility of the investigation.

Resolution and Communication

Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology will seek to resolve complaints as promptly as reasonably possible, taking into account the complexity of the case and the information required for a fair assessment.

Once the investigation has been completed, the complainant will be informed of the outcome, to the extent permitted by confidentiality obligations and applicable requirements. Where appropriate, the journal may take corrective or preventive action, including revising editorial procedures, correcting published material, issuing an expression of concern, or retracting an article.

The journal will maintain appropriate records of complaints, investigations, decisions, and actions taken.

Appeals

Authors may appeal editorial decisions when they have reasonable grounds to believe that a decision resulted from a significant factual error, a demonstrable misunderstanding of the manuscript, an identifiable procedural irregularity, or a relevant concern about bias or a conflict of interest.

An appeal must provide a clear explanation of the grounds for challenging the decision and include any relevant supporting evidence or additional information. Disagreement with an editorial decision alone, without substantive justification, is generally insufficient grounds for an appeal.

Appeals should be submitted through the journal's official contact email address and should identify the manuscript, the decision being challenged, and the specific grounds for the appeal.

Appeals Handling

Appeals will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or an independent editor who was not directly involved in the original decision. If the appeal concerns the Editor-in-Chief or another person whose involvement could compromise impartiality, an independent and appropriately qualified reviewer or committee will be appointed.

The person or committee handling the appeal will reassess the relevant evidence, editorial correspondence, reviewer comments, and applicable journal policies. Additional expert advice may be sought when necessary.

The journal may uphold the original decision, reconsider the decision, or request further assessment of the manuscript. An appeal does not automatically guarantee reconsideration of the manuscript or acceptance for publication.

Final Decision

Following the appeal review, the Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology will communicate the outcome to the appellant and provide an explanation of the decision, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements.

The outcome of the appeal will ordinarily constitute the journal's final internal decision on the matter. This does not prevent further action by an appropriate institution or other competent authority where relevant.

Public Transparency

To promote transparency and accountability, the Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology will maintain records of complaints and appeals, including their outcomes and any corrective actions taken.

Where appropriate, anonymized information about significant cases and resulting policy or procedural changes may be made publicly available on the journal's website, provided that doing so does not compromise confidentiality, personal privacy, or the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Review of the Complaints and Appeals Policy

Journal of Asian Orientation in Theology will periodically review this policy to ensure that it remains effective and consistent with evolving standards and best practices in scholarly publishing.

Any revisions will be approved through the journal's editorial procedures and published on the official journal website. Relevant stakeholders will be informed of substantive changes where appropriate.