Complaints and Appeals
Peer-Reviewed · Open Access · Animal and Wildlife Research
Complaints and Appeals
International Journal of Animal and Wildlife Research (IJAWR)
The International Journal of Animal and Wildlife Research (IJAWR) is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and responsible editorial and publication process. Authors and other relevant individuals may raise concerns regarding editorial decisions, published articles, or matters related to the publication process.
Complaints and Concerns
Questions, complaints, or concerns regarding an article, manuscript, editorial process, or possible publication-related issue should be submitted to the official IJAWR editorial office.
Where possible, correspondence should include:
Article or manuscript title.
DOI or article identification number, where available.
A clear description of the concern.
Relevant supporting information or evidence.
Concerns may relate to matters such as plagiarism, authorship, data or image integrity, animal research ethics, wildlife research permits, animal welfare, species identification, conflicts of interest, or other publication-related issues.
IJAWR will assess the concern based on the available information and the circumstances of the individual case.
Appeals Against Editorial Decisions
Authors who disagree with an editorial decision may submit an appeal to the IJAWR editorial office.
An appeal should provide specific and substantive reasons why the decision should be reconsidered and should include relevant supporting information where available.
An appeal is intended to address matters such as a significant misunderstanding, overlooked information, procedural concern, or other substantive issue that may reasonably warrant reconsideration. Disagreement with an editorial decision alone does not necessarily constitute grounds for an appeal.
Review of Complaints and Appeals
Where appropriate, IJAWR may review relevant manuscript or publication records, correspondence, peer-review information, research data, and other material relevant to the matter.
IJAWR may request clarification or supporting documentation from the individuals concerned. Where necessary and appropriate, the journal may seek information from relevant institutions, research organizations, animal ethics committees, wildlife authorities, funders, journals, publishers, or other appropriate parties.
Where reasonably practicable, relevant authors or other concerned parties will be given an opportunity to respond before a final editorial action is taken.
Institutional and External Investigations
Where a matter may require institutional or external investigation, IJAWR may communicate with relevant institutions, research organizations, animal ethics committees, wildlife authorities, funders, or other appropriate bodies.
Where an independent investigation has been conducted, IJAWR may consider its findings when determining appropriate action concerning the published scholarly record.
For research involving animals or wildlife, relevant concerns may include compliance with applicable ethical approvals, research permits, animal welfare requirements, wildlife-protection regulations, and restrictions concerning sensitive species or habitats.
Possible Outcomes
Depending on the nature of the matter and the available evidence, an investigation or appeal may result in:
No further action.
Editorial clarification.
Correction.
Expression of Concern.
Retraction.
Another appropriate editorial action.
The appropriate outcome will depend on the circumstances and evidence of the individual case.
Appeals Following Retraction
An appeal against a retraction does not automatically suspend the retraction status of the article.
Where necessary to protect readers and the integrity of the scholarly record, IJAWR may maintain the retraction notice while an appeal is being considered.
Further reconsideration may be undertaken where new and substantial evidence is presented or where a significant procedural issue is identified.
Confidentiality
IJAWR will handle complaints, investigations, and related communications with appropriate confidentiality.
Information may be shared where reasonably necessary to conduct a fair investigation, communicate with relevant parties, address publication-ethics concerns, comply with applicable legal requirements, or protect the integrity of the scholarly record.