The Pakistan Journal of Nutrition (PJN) is committed to fair, transparent, and responsible editorial practices. Authors, reviewers, readers, and other individuals may raise concerns regarding the journal's editorial processes, published content, ethical procedures, or other matters related to the journal. Complaints and appeals will be considered objectively, respectfully, and without discrimination or retaliation.

Complaints and Appeals

A complaint concerns the conduct, procedures, policies, services, or actions of the journal, its editors, reviewers, editorial staff, or other individuals involved in the publication process. An appeal is a formal request by an author for reconsideration of an editorial decision concerning a submitted manuscript.

Complaints and appeals should clearly identify the manuscript or published article involved, where applicable, and provide sufficient information and supporting evidence to allow the journal to assess the matter.

Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they believe that a significant error occurred in the editorial or peer review process, relevant evidence was misunderstood or overlooked, or the decision was materially affected by a procedural or factual error.

An appeal should provide a clear and evidence-based explanation of the reasons for requesting reconsideration. Mere disagreement with reviewer comments or an editorial decision, without substantive justification, is not normally sufficient grounds for an appeal.

Review of an Appeal

The journal will review the appeal together with the manuscript's editorial history, reviewer reports, author responses, and any additional information considered relevant.

Where appropriate, the appeal may be considered by an editor who was not directly responsible for the original decision. The journal may also seek additional expert advice or further peer review when necessary to evaluate the issues raised.

Following review, the original decision may be upheld, the manuscript may be reconsidered, or another appropriate editorial action may be taken. Reconsideration of a manuscript does not guarantee acceptance for publication.

Complaints About Editorial or Peer Review Processes

Complaints concerning editorial handling, unreasonable delays, reviewer conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, communication, or other aspects of the peer review and publication process should be submitted to the journal with a clear description of the concern.

The journal will assess whether its established procedures and policies were followed and will take appropriate action when a procedural or ethical problem is identified.

Complaints About Editors or Editorial Board Members

If a complaint concerns an editor or editorial board member, the matter should be handled by another appropriate senior editor or responsible authority who is not directly involved in the complaint.

Individuals who are the subject of a complaint should not make the final determination regarding that complaint.

Complaints About Published Content

Concerns regarding the accuracy, reliability, originality, ethical compliance, or integrity of a published article will be assessed according to the nature of the issue. The journal may request information or supporting documentation from the authors, their institutions, ethics committees, or other relevant parties when necessary.

If the concern indicates that the published record requires amendment, the matter will be handled in accordance with the journal's Corrections and Retractions Policy.

Research Ethics and Publication Ethics Complaints

Complaints involving plagiarism, data integrity, authorship, conflicts of interest, ethical approval, informed consent, research involving humans or animals, peer review manipulation, or other potential breaches of publication ethics will be evaluated under the journal's relevant ethical policies.

Where necessary, the journal may request original data, ethics documentation, correspondence, or other materials needed to assess the concern.

Nutrition and Health-Related Concerns

Because PJN publishes research concerning human and clinical nutrition, dietary interventions, supplements, public health, and animal nutrition, concerns that may materially affect the interpretation, safety, or reliability of health-related findings will be evaluated carefully and, where appropriate, referred for additional scientific or ethical assessment.

Confidentiality

Complaints and appeals will be handled as confidentially as reasonably possible. Information may be shared with editors, authors, reviewers, institutions, ethics committees, or other relevant parties when necessary for a fair and effective investigation or resolution.

The journal will seek to protect personal and confidential information while also ensuring that relevant parties have a reasonable opportunity to respond to concerns raised about their work or conduct.

Conflicts of Interest in Handling Complaints and Appeals

Editors or other individuals responsible for evaluating a complaint or appeal must disclose relevant conflicts of interest and should not participate in the decision when their impartiality could reasonably be questioned. The matter should instead be assigned to an appropriate individual without such a conflict.

Outcome and Communication

The journal will communicate the outcome of an appeal or complaint to the person who submitted it when appropriate. The extent of information that can be provided may be limited by confidentiality, privacy, legal, or institutional considerations.

Where an investigation results in an editorial action affecting a published article, any necessary public notice will be issued in accordance with the journal's applicable policies.

Repeated or Abusive Complaints

The journal may decline to reconsider repeated complaints or appeals concerning substantially the same matter when no significant new evidence or information has been provided.

Communications that are threatening, abusive, discriminatory, or intended primarily to harass individuals involved in the publication process may be restricted or discontinued. Legitimate criticism or disagreement with an editorial decision will not, by itself, be considered abusive.

Further Review

If a complaint cannot be resolved through the journal's normal procedures, it may be referred to the publisher or another appropriate independent authority for further review, depending on the nature of the matter.

Where relevant, the journal may consult recognized publication ethics guidance when considering complex cases.