1. Purpose
This policy aims to establish a clear and transparent framework for handling complaints and appeals related to the publication and peer‑review processes of the North Journal of Humanities, ensuring fairness, transparency, and the protection of the rights of all parties involved, including authors, reviewers, and readers. This policy is based on international standards of publication ethics and the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
2. Scope of the Policy
This policy covers the following:
- Complaints submitted by authors regarding:
- A. Lengthy review periods or delays in publication.
- B. Conduct of reviewers or the editorial board.
- C. Unjustified acceptance or rejection decisions.
- Complaints submitted by readers or external parties regarding:
- A. Scientific or ethical errors in published articles.
- B. Suspected plagiarism or conflicts of interest.
- Appeals against editorial board or peer‑review decisions.
3. Procedure for Submitting Complaints and Appeals
- Complaints or appeals must be submitted in writing via the journal’s official email: h.journal@nbu.edu.sa.
- Each complaint/appeal must include the following:
- A. Name of the complainant and contact information.
- B. Manuscript ID or details of the subject matter under complaint/appeal.
- C. A clear and well‑documented explanation of the reasons.
- D. Anonymous or insufficiently documented complaints/appeals will not be considered.
4. Complaint Handling Procedure
- The Editor‑in‑Chief, or a delegated representative, will receive the complaint/appeal within (3 working days) of its submission.
- The complainant will receive an acknowledgment of receipt with an initial response timeframe, typically within (14 working days).
- The complaint/appeal will be referred to an internal committee consisting of:
- A. The Editor‑in‑Chief.
- B. Two editorial board members who are not involved in the complaint.
- If necessary, the journal may consult the COPE Ethics Committee or an impartial external party, ensuring confidentiality for all parties involved.
5. Resolution of Complaints and Appeals
- The committee will review all evidence and correspondence and issue an objective decision within (30 working days) from the date of receipt.
- The complainant will be informed of the final decision in writing, including the reasons for the decision.
- All complaints, appeals, and decisions will be archived by the journal to ensure transparency and to improve future processes.
6. General Principles
- All complaints and appeals are handled with strict confidentiality.
- Fairness, impartiality, and avoidance of conflicts of interest are observed at all stages.
- The journal reserves the right to update this policy in accordance with international standards and best practices.