Appeals and Complaints Policy

Last Updated: August 2026

DScholar Press International maintains a structured, transparent mechanism to handle formal appeals against editorial decisions and complaints regarding press operations, staff conduct, or peer review procedures. All submissions are investigated systematically to ensure fair, unbiased resolution.

1. Editorial Appeals Procedure

Authors have the right to appeal a manuscript rejection. Appeals are considered only if the author provides specific, evidence-based grounds rather than general dissatisfaction with the verdict.

Criteria for Reconsideration

  • Demonstration that peer reviewers or editors made factual or technical errors in assessing manuscript content.
  • Clear evidence of reviewer bias or undisclosed conflict of interest during the evaluation process.
  • Inclusion of new, critical data or analyses that directly address specific technical objections raised during review.

Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the rejection decision to publisher@dscholarpress.com, accompanied by a detailed point-by-point response to the review reports. Rejections are re-evaluated by an independent editor or board member not involved in the initial decision. The resulting verdict is final.

2. Complaints Protocol

Complaints regarding editorial processes, publisher operations, peer reviewer behaviour, or staff interactions are handled under a distinct administrative pathway.

Investigation Standards:

  • Submission: Complaints must be submitted directly to publisher@dscholarpress.com detailing the background, involved parties, and supporting documentation.
  • Acknowledgement: Receipt of a formal complaint is acknowledged within 3 business days.
  • Resolution Timeline: Investigations are conducted by executive leadership, with formal written resolution provided within 21 business days.

3. Escalation and Governance

If a complainant remains dissatisfied with the initial operational finding, the matter is escalated to the Executive Editorial Board for final governance review. All proceedings are conducted confidentially to protect involved parties.