Complaints Policy
The editorial board of the journal “Scientific Bulletin of Mukachevo State University. Series “Pedagogy and Psychology” ensures the timely, careful and constructive consideration of complaints, comments and submissions related to the editorial and publishing process, compliance with publication ethics, peer review or already published materials.
Each complaint is considered individually, taking into account its content, nature, validity and level of complexity. When analysing submissions, the editorial office is guided by the journal’s editorial policy, the principles of academic integrity, the standards of publication ethics and the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Complaints, proposals or comments must be sent to the journal’s official email address: info@pp-msu.com.ua. All submissions received are considered within thirty working days from the date of receipt. If a complaint requires additional verification, the involvement of independent experts, or explanations from authors, reviewers or members of the editorial board, the period for its consideration may be extended. In such cases, the applicant will be informed that additional time is required.
A complaint must be concise, clear and reasoned. The submission must state the essence of the problem, the title of the article or manuscript if the complaint concerns a specific material, and describe the possible violation of editorial policy, publication ethics, copyright, peer review rules or academic integrity. Where possible, the complaint should be accompanied by documents, links, copies of correspondence, text fragments or other materials confirming the statements made.
The editorial office considers only those complaints that fall within the journal’s area of responsibility. If a submission concerns matters outside the competence of the editorial office, including personal claims against authors, reviewers, editors or members of the editorial board that are not related to the publication process, the applicant will receive a response explaining why the complaint cannot be considered by the journal.
The editorial office reserves the right not to consider submissions made in an offensive, threatening, discriminatory, defamatory or inappropriate form. Such messages do not constitute grounds for an editorial investigation.
As a result of considering a complaint, the editorial office may adopt one or more decisions: provide an explanation to the applicant, request additional explanations from authors or reviewers, conduct a further editorial check, involve an independent expert, make corrections to published material, publish a clarification, an editorial statement, an expression of concern or, if a serious violation is confirmed, initiate the article retraction procedure in accordance with the journal’s policy.
Appeals Policy
Authors have the right to submit an appeal against an editorial decision to reject a manuscript or to require major revision if they believe that the decision was made on the basis of incomplete, biased or erroneous assessment of the material.
An appeal must be reasoned, appropriate and submitted in writing to the journal’s official email address: info@pp-msu.com.ua. In the submission, the author must indicate the title of the manuscript, the date on which the editorial decision was received, the essence of the objection and specific arguments concerning the points of the decision or review with which the author disagrees.
An appeal must not be limited to general disagreement with the decision of the editorial office or reviewers. It must contain a clear explanation of which comments, in the author’s opinion, are unfounded, erroneous or inconsistent with the content of the manuscript. Where necessary, the author may add further explanations, documents, data or other materials supporting their position.
After receiving an appeal, the editorial office conducts a further review of the materials related to the relevant manuscript. The Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, handling editor, members of the editorial board or independent experts who did not participate in the initial peer review and have no conflict of interest may be involved in such a review.
If the appeal concerns a decision made with the participation of the Editor-in-Chief or Deputy Editor-in-Chief and there is an actual or potential conflict of interest, that person is excluded from the consideration of the appeal. In this case, the submission is transferred to another authorised member of the editorial board or to an independent expert who can ensure an impartial further review.
When considering an appeal, the editorial office may uphold the previous decision, change the decision, send the manuscript for additional independent peer review or invite the authors to revise the manuscript again. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee acceptance of the manuscript for publication.
Appeals are considered within thirty working days from the date of receipt. In complex cases, where additional peer review or consultation with independent specialists is required, the period for consideration may be extended, and the authors will be informed separately.
The decision made following consideration of an appeal is sent to the author in writing and is regarded as final within the journal’s editorial process.