Complaints and Appeals

Authors, reviewers and readers may raise a complaint about editorial procedure, staff conduct, policy application or published content.

Submitting a complaint

Write to info@shodhpublishing.com. Identify the manuscript or article, describe the issue clearly and provide relevant evidence. Abusive, discriminatory or knowingly false communications will not be considered.

Handling

A complaint is assessed by a person who was not directly responsible for the disputed action where practicable. Relevant records are reviewed, affected parties may be invited to respond, and confidentiality is maintained to the extent possible. Complex research-integrity matters may be referred to an institution or competent authority.

Editorial appeals

An appeal must identify a specific factual or procedural error that could have affected the decision. It is not a new round of review based only on disagreement. The appeal outcome is normally final within the journal.

Complaints about senior editorial leadership

A complaint involving the Editor-in-Chief will be referred to another independent qualified editor or adviser. A complaint concerning publisher conduct will be documented and assessed separately from the manuscript's scientific merits.