Complaints and Appeals
Complaints and Appeals Policy
RIIS regards complaints as an opportunity to improve its editorial process and guarantees their prompt, impartial and documented handling, in accordance with COPE guidance.
1. Scope
Complaints or appeals may concern, among other matters: editorial decisions that authors consider unfounded; the conduct of editors or reviewers; unjustified delays in the editorial process; publication or metadata errors; allegations of misconduct in published content; failure to comply with journal policies.
2. How to submit
By email to riis@essnortecvp.pt, with the subject line "Complaint" or "Appeal", stating the submission identifier or the article DOI, a description of the facts and the grounds, together with any supporting evidence. Appeals against editorial decisions must include a point-by-point response to the review reports and the scientific rationale for the disagreement.
3. Handling
- Acknowledgement of receipt within 10 working days.
- Assessment by the Editor-in-Chief or, where a conflict of interest exists, by an independent member of the Editorial Board who was not involved in the process.
- In appeals, the Editor-in-Chief may uphold the decision, seek an additional report from a new reviewer, or reopen the assessment.
- A reasoned decision communicated in writing, normally within 30 working days. Cases requiring external inquiry may exceed this period; the complainant is kept informed of progress.
4. Safeguards
Submitting a complaint does not prejudice the complainant's future submissions. The identity of those reporting suspected misconduct is treated confidentially. All cases are recorded and retained by the journal.
5. Further recourse
Once internal avenues are exhausted, the complainant may address the publisher — Escola Superior de Saúde Norte da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa, Research and Development Unit — or refer the case to COPE.
