Qubahan Journal of Medical Sciences provides authors, reviewers, readers, and other stakeholders with a transparent process for submitting editorial appeals and complaints.

Editorial appeals

Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they believe that a substantial factual, scientific, or procedural error materially affected the decision.

An appeal should:

• Identify the manuscript.
• Clearly explain the grounds for appeal.
• Address the specific scientific or procedural issue.
• Provide supporting evidence where relevant.

Disagreement with an editorial decision or reviewer opinion alone does not automatically constitute valid grounds for appeal.

Where possible, appeals will be assessed by a senior editor who was not directly responsible for the original disputed decision.

Complaints

Complaints may relate to:

• Editorial procedures
• Peer-review conduct
• Publication ethics
• Conflicts of interest
• Excessive delays
• Staff conduct
• Published content
• Journal policies
• Publisher conduct

Complaints are handled confidentially, objectively, and proportionately.

Individuals raising concerns in good faith will not be disadvantaged solely because they submitted a complaint.

Complaints involving the Editor-in-Chief should be referred to an appropriate independent representative of the journal or publisher.