Complaints and Appeals

Introduction
The International Journal of Data Science (IJoDS) is committed to providing a fair and transparent process for handling complaints and appeals. This policy outlines the procedures for raising and addressing complaints or appeals against the journal, its staff, editorial board, or publisher (Indonesian Society for Knowledge and Human Development (INSIGHT)).

Description
Complaints may relate to editorial decisions (e.g., rejection of a manuscript), failures of process (e.g., long delays), or other aspects of the journal's operations or policies. Appeals are typically requests from authors to reconsider an editorial decision on their manuscript. IJoDS aims to address all complaints and appeals constructively and in a timely manner.

The Policy

  • Scope of Complaints: This policy covers complaints related to IJoDS's editorial policies, procedures, or actions by its editorial staff or board.
  • Fairness and Objectivity: IJoDS will handle all complaints and appeals with fairness, courtesy, and impartiality.
  • Confidentiality: The identity of the complainant and the details of the complaint will be kept confidential as much as possible during the investigation.
  • Timeliness: IJoDS will acknowledge receipt of a complaint or appeal promptly and will strive to provide a substantive response within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Appeals Against Editorial Decisions: Authors have the right to appeal an editorial decision if they believe there has been a misunderstanding of their work, a procedural flaw in the review process, or if new evidence relevant to the decision becomes available. Appeals based solely on disagreement with the reviewers' or editor's scientific judgment are generally not considered.
  • Complaints Against the Journal: Complaints about aspects other than editorial decisions on a specific manuscript will be directed to the Editor-in-Chief or the publisher, as appropriate.
  • Escalation: If a complainant is not satisfied with the journal's response, they may have the option to escalate the complaint to the publisher or, for unresolved ethical issues, to relevant ethical bodies if the case falls within their remit.

Implementation of the Policy

  • Submitting a Complaint or Appeal:
    • Appeals against editorial decisions: Authors wishing to appeal an editorial decision should contact the Editor-in-Chief, clearly stating the grounds for their appeal and providing a detailed, point-by-point response to any reviewer or editor comments. Appeals should be submitted within 30 days of the decision.
    • Other complaints: Complaints against the journal, its staff, editorial board, or publisher should be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief via the journal's official email address (available on https://ijods.org/). The complaint should clearly describe the issue and provide any relevant supporting documentation.
  • Handling Process:
    • The Editor-in-Chief will acknowledge receipt of the complaint or appeal, typically within 5 working days.
    • For appeals against editorial decisions, the Editor-in-Chief will review the appeal. This may involve re-consulting the original reviewers, consulting new reviewers, or discussing the case with other members of the editorial board. The decision following an appeal is final.
    • For other complaints, the Editor-in-Chief will investigate the matter, consulting with relevant editorial staff, board members, or the publisher as necessary.
    • The complainant will be informed of the outcome of the investigation and any actions taken.
  • Record Keeping: IJoDS will maintain records of all complaints, appeals, and their resolutions.
  • Ethical Guidelines: IJoDS will consult relevant ethical resources when handling complaints and appeals, particularly those involving ethical concerns. For complex cases that cannot be resolved internally, IJoDS may seek external advice.