Iran Journal of Nursing

1. How to Submit a Complaint

• All complaints must be submitted in written form via the journal’s official email.
• The complainant should provide essential information, including the manuscript ID, date of submission, a clear description of the issue, and any supporting documents.

2. Acknowledgment of Receipt

• The Editor-in-Chief or the journal’s representative will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within one week, confirming the initiation of the review process.

3. Initial Assessment

• The complaint will first be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, who may request additional information if needed.
• Complaints involving conflicts of interest, reviewer bias, or ethical concerns will be prioritized.

4. Review by the Editorial Board

• The complaint will be discussed during an Editorial Board meeting. All relevant aspects—including peer-review correspondence, editorial decisions, and procedural steps—will be examined.
• When necessary, the case will be assigned to an Editorial Board member who was not involved in the original review process to ensure impartiality.

5. Notification of the Outcome

• The final decision will be communicated to the complainant within two weeks. Possible outcomes include:
  • Confirmation of appropriate procedures, with a documented explanation;
  • Correction of errors, reassignment to new reviewers, or re-evaluation of the manuscript;
  • Revision of an editorial decision when warranted;
  • Referral of the case to relevant institutional bodies in serious ethical matters.

6. Referral to Higher Authorities

• If the complaint requires a more specialized or formal ethical review, the journal will refer the case to the Institutional Research Ethics Committee or other appropriate authorities, in alignment with COPE recommendations.

7. Confidentiality

• All complaints and related documents will be handled with strict confidentiality. Only individuals directly involved in the investigation will have access to the information.
• The identities of authors, reviewers, and complainants will be protected in accordance with journal policies.

8. Commitment to Transparency and Trust