Global Academy of Forensic and Investigative Medicine and Science

Grievances redresser procedures at International Journal of Medical Justice [IJMJ]

Complaint Resolution Policy, IJMJ

International Journal of Medical Justice

1. Purpose The International Journal of Medical Justice (IJMJ) is committed to maintaining high standards of integrity, transparency, and fairness in all its operations. This Complaint Resolution Policy provides a structured process for addressing complaints related to the publication process, editorial decisions, ethical concerns, and other aspects of the journal’s operations.

2. Scope This policy applies to complaints from authors, reviewers, readers, and other stakeholders regarding any aspect of the journal’s functioning, including but not limited to:

· Editorial decisions

· Peer review processes

· Ethical misconduct or breaches

· Delays in publication

· Errors in published articles

· Allegations of bias or discrimination

3. Principles The IJMJ resolves complaints based on the following principles:

· Fairness: All complaints will be addressed impartially.

· Transparency: The resolution process will be clear and documented.

· Confidentiality: Complainants’ identities and related information will be handled with care and discretion.

· Timeliness: Complaints will be resolved promptly within specified timeframes.

4. Procedure for Lodging Complaints

4.1 Submission of Complaints
Complaints should be submitted in writing to the journal’s editorial office via email provide on journal website or through the official complaint form available on the journal’s website. The complaint must include:

· Full name and contact details of the complainant

· A clear description of the issue

· Relevant evidence or supporting documentation, if applicable

4.2 Acknowledgment
The IJMJ will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within Seven (7) business days and provide a reference number for tracking.

4.3 Review and Assessment
The Editor-in-Chief (or a designated representative) will conduct an initial assessment to determine the validity of the complaint and assign it to the appropriate department for further investigation. If the complaint involves the Editor-in-Chief, it will be escalated to an independent oversight committee.

5. Investigation Process

5.1 Data Collection
Relevant parties (e.g., authors, reviewers, editors) will be contacted to provide information or clarification. All communications will be documented.

5.2 Resolution Timeline
The investigation will typically be completed within thirty (30) calendar days of acknowledgment. If additional time is required, the complainant will be informed.

5.3 Outcome Notification
Once the investigation is complete, the complainant will receive a written response detailing:

· The findings of the investigation

· Actions taken to address the issue

· Further steps or recommendations, if applicable

6. Appeals If the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution, they may appeal the decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the outcome. Appeals will be reviewed by an independent oversight committee, and a final decision will be provided within thirty (30) calendar days of the appeal submission.

7. Record-Keeping All complaints, investigations, and resolutions will be documented and retained for a minimum of three (3) years for auditing and continuous improvement purposes.

8. Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation The IJMJ ensures that:

· Complainants are protected from any form of retaliation.

· All details of the complaint and resolution process remain confidential.

9. Continuous Improvement The IJMJ will regularly review complaints and resolution trends to identify areas for improvement in journal policies and procedures.

10. Contact Information Complaints and inquiries should be directed to:

Editor-in-Chief/Editor

International Journal of Medical Justice

Address: G-1, Ground Floor, City Center, Medical Road,

Aligarh 202002 India

E-Mail: editor@ijmj.net editor.ijmj@gmail.com Web: www.ijmj.net www.glafims.org www.glafims.com

Last Updated: Friday September 27, 2024

Sources and related content: https://ijmj.net/policies/index.htm

Appeals

The purpose of an appeal is for the Coordinating Editor-in-Chief or the Coordinating Editors to examine the editorial process. If it is found not to have been in line with our policies, solving action will be taken to restore correct procedure.

It should keep in mind that the purpose of an appeal is not to revisit the opinions/decisions of the referees or editors. It would be inappropriate for a single individual (i.e. the Editor-in-Chief or a Assistant Editor) to overturn the majority view of referees and consulted editors. Commonly, two referees and three editors express an opinion and 3 votes supporting publication are required to accept a paper in addition to approval of Editor-in-Chief. For editors to reject a paper, they require three votes against the paper. Therefore we are not willing to obtain further opinions because it would not be practical to seek the required opinions to change the decision.

If a manuscript is rejected an option to ‘Appeal Manuscript’ appears on the author's home page, from which the author can write to the Editor-in-Chief explaining the reasons for disagreeing with the editorial process. The Editor-in-Chief or a Coordinating Editor-in-Chief may uphold the decision, or may request further information or consult again on the manuscript prior to making a decision regarding whether to reject or uphold the appeal.

Complaints procedure

Other complaints should be addressed in writing to the Coordinating Editor-in-Chief for consideration and any necessary action. Where a complaint remains unresolved, the complainant can refer the matter to the Editor-in-Chief. The Competent authority can take necessary decision or refer to any competent body for further decision. The decision of Editor-in-Chief will be final in all context.

The author reserves the right to complaint against the Editorial board members or Editor-in-Chief directly to President of GLAFIMS ACADEMY if they are not satisfied with the decisions of Editor-in-Chief.

Complaints procedure against Editorial Board/Editor-in-Chief

The procedure for filling complaints against Editor-in-Chief is by sending formal email to president@glafims.org.in and copy to editor.ijmj@gmail.com. It is mandatory for complainant to identify himself/herself in the email. Complaint without formal identity of the authors/complainants will be discarded without notice. Response to the complaints.

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Head Address: G1, Ground Floor, City Center, Medical Road, Aligarh 202002 India E-Mail: glafims@gmail.com web: www.glafims.org
Copyright © 2022-32 by Global Academy of Forensic and Investigative Medicine and Science [GLAFIMS ACADEMY]. All rights reserved. Last Updated: November 1, 2022