Complaints and Appeals

AABNER is committed to fairness, transparency, and ethical conduct in all editorial decisions. Authors and readers may submit complaints regarding editorial decisions, ethical issues, or suspected misconduct.

How to Submit Complaints

Complaints should be submitted in writing to the Editors-in-Chief via the journal’s official email (aabnerresearch [at] gmail [dot] com).

The complaint must include:

1. The manuscript title and DOI;
2. A clear description of the issue (editorial decision, ethical concern, or suspected misconduct);
3. Supporting evidence or documentation.

Handling of Appeals

Complaints are reviewed promptly and fairly by the Editors-in-Chief or an independent editorial board member not involved in the original decision.

The journal may request additional information from the authors or reviewers if necessary.

Decisions on appeals are communicated in writing within a reasonable timeframe (usually 4–6 weeks).

The process ensures that authors and readers receive a fair, unbiased, and transparent assessment of their concerns.

Ethics and Misconduct

Allegations of research misconduct, plagiarism, or ethical violations are handled according to COPE guidelines.

In serious cases, the journal may contact authors’ institutions or relevant authorities for investigation.

All parties are treated confidentially and professionally throughout the process.

Initial Assessment

Upon receiving a report, the Editors-in-Chief conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the allegation is credible and falls within the journal’s scope. If necessary, the Editors-in-Chief may consult with independent editorial board members not involved with the manuscript.

Formal Investigation

If the initial assessment indicates potential misconduct, the authors are notified of the concern and asked to provide explanations or clarifications. The journal may request additional information from co-authors, reviewers, or institutional officials. Investigations are conducted confidentially, to protect the rights of all parties involved. The investigation is guided by COPE guidelines and follows internationally recognized standards for research ethics.

Possible Outcomes

Depending on the findings, AABNER may take one or more of the following actions:

Correction: Minor errors or misrepresentations may be addressed through a published correction.

Expression of Concern: If issues are serious but not yet fully resolved, a notice may be published to alert readers.

Retraction: If misconduct is confirmed (e.g., data fabrication, plagiarism), the article may be retracted with a formal notice.

Notification to Institutions or Authorities: In serious cases, the authors’ institutions or relevant authorities may be informed for further action.

Author Sanctions: The journal may restrict future submissions from authors found to have engaged in misconduct.