Complaint Policy and Process

At Proceedings, we welcome complaints related to our policies, procedures, or actions of the editorial team, as they provide an important opportunity for improvement. We are committed to responding to all complaints promptly, courteously, and constructively.

When submitting a complaint, please provide the following details:

  • Journal title
  • Volume and issue number
  • Paper ID
  • Paper title
  • Page number (if applicable)

Criteria for a Complaint

A valid complaint must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • A written expression of dissatisfaction regarding the editorial or publishing process.
  • An indication of a process failure, such as undue delay, lack of communication, or inappropriate editorial behavior.
  • An allegation of severe misjudgment, misconduct, or ethical lapse.
  • Issues directly related to the responsibility of the editorial board, editorial process, or journal content.

Disagreement with editorial or peer-review decisions alone does not constitute a valid complaint, unless accompanied by evidence of process failure or bias.

Categories of Usual Complaints

  • Authorship disputes
  • Multiple, duplicate, or concurrent submissions/publications
  • Plagiarism and text similarity concerns
  • Reviewer bias, misconduct, or unprofessional behavior
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Editorial misconduct or process-related errors

Editorial Complaints Policy

  • The editorial team will make every effort to resolve matters quickly, fairly, and transparently.
  • Complaints will be investigated in a blame-free manner, with a focus on identifying systemic issues and improving processes to prevent recurrence.
  • If the issue cannot be resolved by the editorial team, it will be referred to an independent committee consisting of two senior editors not affiliated with Proceedings. Their written recommendation will be binding on both parties.
  • All investigations will follow the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) flowcharts.

How to Make a Complaint

  • Complaints should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably within 3 months of publication and before the release of the subsequent issue.
  • Complaints must be submitted in writing via email to: [email protected]

Manuscript Withdrawal Policy

  • Authors may request withdrawal of a manuscript only before it has been formally published online.
  • A withdrawal request must be made in writing by the corresponding author, with confirmation from all co-authors.
  • Author names, affiliations, and order of authorship cannot be altered or removed after publication, except in cases of minor typographical errors.

Once a manuscript is uploaded online and assigned a DOI, withdrawal is not permitted. Retraction may be considered only under COPE and ICMJE guidelines, in cases of proven misconduct, ethical violations, or major errors.