Complaints and Appeals Policy

Al’Adalah: Journal of Islamic Studies is committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, accountability, and editorial independence throughout the publication process. The journal provides procedures for addressing complaints concerning editorial practices and appeals against editorial decisions. All complaints and appeals will be considered fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics policy and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

 

1. Scope of Complaints

Authors, reviewers, readers, and other concerned parties may submit complaints regarding the journal's editorial and publication practices. Complaints may concern procedural irregularities, unreasonable editorial delays, breaches of confidentiality, undisclosed conflicts of interest, inappropriate conduct by editors or reviewers, suspected manipulation of peer review, publication ethics concerns, or other matters affecting the integrity and fairness of the publication process. The journal will consider complaints supported by relevant information or evidence. Concerns may also be raised anonymously, although the absence of contact information may restrict the journal's ability to obtain clarification or communicate the outcome.

 

2. Submission of Complaints

Complaints should be submitted in writing through the journal's official editorial contact or OJS communication system. A complaint should identify the matter concerned, describe the relevant circumstances, and provide supporting information where available. When the complaint concerns a particular manuscript or published article, the complainant should provide its title or identification number. The editorial team will acknowledge complaints promptly and conduct an initial assessment to determine the appropriate procedure. The journal will protect confidential information and the identity of complainants to the extent reasonably possible. Individuals who raise concerns in good faith must not be subjected to retaliation or unfair editorial treatment.

 

3. Handling and Investigation of Complaints

The Editor-in-Chief, or an authorized editor without a relevant conflict of interest, will conduct an initial assessment of the complaint. Where further examination is necessary, the journal may review editorial records, request explanations from relevant parties, consult independent experts, or seek assistance from the publisher or an appropriate research institution. Individuals whose conduct is the subject of a complaint must not determine the outcome of that complaint. Relevant parties will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before substantive conclusions are reached. Depending on the findings, the journal may provide clarification, correct procedural errors, reassign editorial responsibilities, arrange further independent review, or take appropriate action under its Publication Ethics and Corrections, Retractions, and Withdrawals policies. The complainant will be informed of the outcome and the reasons for the decision, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements.

 

4. Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors may request reconsideration of an editorial decision when they believe that a significant factual error, procedural irregularity, undisclosed conflict of interest, or material misunderstanding affected the evaluation of their manuscript. Appeals must be submitted by the corresponding author within 30 calendar days of receiving the editorial decision. The appeal should identify the manuscript, specify the decision being challenged, explain the grounds for reconsideration, and provide a detailed response to the relevant editorial or reviewer comments. Disagreement with reviewers' scholarly opinions or dissatisfaction with a rejection decision does not, by itself, constitute sufficient grounds for an appeal. An appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed or that the manuscript will undergo another round of peer review.

 

5. Assessment and Resolution of Appeals

The Editor-in-Chief will assess the appeal unless a relevant conflict of interest requires the matter to be assigned to another authorized editor. Where appropriate, the journal may consult an editor who was not involved in the original decision, seek independent expert advice, or request additional peer review. The assessment will consider whether the original decision followed the journal's editorial procedures and whether the appeal presents sufficient grounds for reconsideration. Possible outcomes include maintaining the original decision, correcting a procedural error, arranging additional evaluation, or reconsidering the manuscript through the appropriate editorial process. The outcome and supporting reasons will be communicated to the corresponding author. The decision following the journal's appeal review will ordinarily be final, unless significant new evidence warrants further examination.

 

6. Complaints Concerning the Editor-in-Chief or Publisher

Complaints involving the Editor-in-Chief must be referred to an authorized representative of the journal's publisher, the Center for Research and Community Service (LP2M), Universitas Islam Negeri Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember, who is independent of the matter concerned. The Editor-in-Chief must not participate in assessing or deciding a complaint concerning their own conduct. Where a complaint concerns editorial governance, serious institutional interference, or the publisher's conduct, the matter should be referred to an appropriate independent institutional authority. The journal may consult relevant COPE guidance when addressing complex publication ethics concerns. COPE guidance does not constitute an automatic external appeals mechanism, and the journal does not claim COPE membership or adjudicative services unless these are independently established.

 

7. Confidentiality, Records, and Accountability

The journal will handle complaints and appeals with appropriate confidentiality, impartiality, and respect for the rights of all parties. The editorial team will maintain relevant records of complaints, appeals, supporting evidence, communications, and decisions. Access to these records will be restricted to authorized individuals. Complaints and appeals will be addressed without unnecessary delay, taking into account the complexity of the matter and the need for fair examination. Where a complaint reveals a significant problem in the journal's editorial procedures, the editorial team will take appropriate corrective measures to improve publication practices and prevent recurrence. This policy should be read alongside the journal's Publication Ethics, Peer Review Process, and Corrections, Retractions, and Withdrawals Policy.