Complaints Review Procedure

Procedure for Handling Complaints Regarding Violations of Academic Integrity and Publication Ethics

  1. Submission of Complaints and Preliminary Assessment
    Complaints concerning possible violations (plagiarism, data fabrication, authorship manipulation, or unethical use of AI) may be submitted by authors, reviewers, readers, or academic institutions. The Editorial Office accepts only substantiated complaints accompanied by specific evidence (references to plagiarized sources, analysis of statistical inconsistencies, proof of AI-generated text, etc.). Anonymous complaints are not considered.

  2. Official Investigation
    The Editor-in-Chief initiates an investigation, appoints a working group and/or engages independent experts to evaluate the evidence on a confidential basis, and may also involve representatives of the Academic Integrity Support Group of the founding institution. The Editorial Office formally notifies the person against whom the complaint has been filed and provides them with the opportunity to submit written explanations and counterarguments within 14 calendar days. During the investigation, the Editorial Office may request original research data, file revision history, or a list of prompts if the complaint concerns undisclosed AI use. In cases of systemic or complex violations, the Editorial Office may refer the matter to the academic integrity commission of the author’s institution for a joint review.

  3. Decision-Making
    Based on the investigation, the Editorial Board may adopt one of the following decisions:

  • rejection of the complaint due to lack of evidence;

  • requirement to correct the article (Erratum/Corrigendum) in cases of unintentional errors;

  • publication of an Expression of Concern if the investigation is inconclusive but suspicions remain significant;

  • full retraction of the article in cases of confirmed serious ethical violations.

  1. Confidentiality and Professional Conduct
    The Editorial Office undertakes to maintain the confidentiality of both the complainant and the respondent until the investigation is completed and a final decision is made. All parties involved must act professionally, refrain from public accusations, and avoid exerting pressure on members of the Editorial Board during the complaint review process.

  2. Appeal
    A party dissatisfied with the Editorial Office’s decision may file an appeal within 14 days of receiving the notification of the investigation results. Appeals are considered only if new substantial evidence is provided that was not previously taken into account. The decision of the Appeals Committee or the Editorial Board upon re-examination is final.