Complaints and Appeals Policy

Olympus Open is committed to ensuring that all participants in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and readers—have a clear and fair mechanism for addressing concerns related to the editorial and publication processes. This policy provides guidelines for managing complaints and appeals in a transparent, timely, and unbiased manner.

Complaints Policy

Complaints may arise from various aspects of the publication process, including but not limited to:

  • Unfair Rejection: Authors who believe their manuscript was unfairly rejected may file a complaint for further review.
  • Editorial Misconduct: Complaints regarding the conduct of editors or the editorial process, such as conflicts of interest, bias, or lack of professionalism.
  • Peer Review: Concerns about the peer review process, such as reviewer bias, inappropriate reviewer comments, or undue delays in the review process.
  • Publication Process: Complaints about publication ethics, formatting issues, or other concerns related to the final publication.

Submitting a Complaint

  • Formal Complaint: Complaints must be submitted via email to the journal’s editorial office or the publisher. The complaint should include a clear description of the issue, relevant details (such as manuscript ID, dates, and correspondence), and any supporting evidence.
  • Acknowledgment: Upon receipt of a complaint, the journal will acknowledge it within five working days and begin a preliminary investigation.
  • Investigation: The complaint will be reviewed by the journal’s Editorial Team, and if necessary, the publisher or an independent party may be involved to ensure a fair assessment.
  • Resolution: The journal will respond to the complainant with a resolution or a status update within 30 days of receiving the complaint. If further investigation is required, the complainant will be informed of any delays and the expected timeline for resolution.

Appeals Policy

Authors who disagree with editorial decisions, such as rejection of their manuscript, have the right to appeal. Appeals are handled with care and transparency to ensure fairness in the publication process.

Appeal Procedure

  • Grounds for Appeal: Authors can appeal decisions based on editorial decisions (e.g., manuscript rejection), errors in the peer review process, or other relevant grounds.
  • Appeal Submission: Appeals must be submitted in writing to the journal’s editorial office. The appeal should include a detailed explanation of the grounds for appeal, the manuscript ID, and relevant supporting information.
  • Editorial Review: The appeal will be reviewed by a senior editor or an independent member of the Editorial Board. If necessary, the manuscript may be sent for an additional round of peer review by new reviewers.
  • Final Decision: The journal will communicate the outcome of the appeal to the author within 45 days. The decision made upon review of the appeal will be final, and no further appeals will be considered for the same manuscript.

Confidentiality and Impartiality

All complaints and appeals are handled confidentially and impartially. No discrimination or bias will be exercised against any party filing a complaint or appeal. The journal’s Editorial Team is committed to ensuring that decisions are made based solely on the merit of the research.

Commitment to Fairness and Integrity

Olympus Open is dedicated to maintaining high ethical standards and promoting fairness in the editorial and publication processes. We encourage authors, reviewers, and readers to reach out with any concerns, and we are committed to resolving them in a timely and just manner.