At Afri Publishing, we are committed to maintaining a high standard of publication ethics and ensuring a transparent and fair process for all parties involved. We value feedback from our authors, reviewers, and readers, and have established a clear procedure for both appeals and complaints.

Appeal Procedure:

1. Grounds for Appeal:

• Authors may file an appeal if they believe there has been an error in the decision-making process regarding their submitted manuscript.
• Reviewers may appeal if they believe their review was not properly considered in the final decision.

2. Submission of Appeal:

• Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Editorial Office of the relevant journal within 30 days of receiving the decision letter.

3. Contents of the Appeal:

• The appeal should include a clear and concise statement of the grounds for the appeal, supported by relevant evidence or documentation.
• Authors should specify the exact nature of the alleged error or oversight.

4. Handling of Appeals:

• The Editor-in-Chief or an appointed Senior Editor will review the appeal and consider all relevant materials.
• Additional input may be sought from other Editorial Board members or external experts if necessary.
• A response to the appeal will be provided within 30 days of its submission.

5. Outcomes of Appeal:

• The appeal may lead to one of the following outcomes:
  • The original decision is upheld.
  • The decision is revised based on the merit of the appeal.
  • Further assessment or additional review is conducted.

Complaint Procedure:

1. Nature of Complaints:

• Complaints may relate to various aspects of the publication process, including but not limited to, ethical concerns, potential conflicts of interest, or issues with editorial conduct.

2. Submission of Complaint:

• Complaints should be submitted in writing to the Editorial Office of the relevant journal.

3. Contents of the Complaint:

• The complaint should provide a detailed description of the issue, including relevant facts, dates, and individuals involved.
• Any supporting documents or evidence should be included.

4. Handling of Complaints:

• The Editorial Office will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 5 business days.
• The complaint will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or an appointed Senior Editor, who will consider all relevant information.
• If necessary, external experts or advisory board members may be consulted.

5. Communication of Outcomes:

• A response to the complaint, along with any actions taken, will be provided within 30 days of its submission.
• If further investigation is required, the complainant will be informed of the anticipated timeline for resolution.

At Afri Publishing, we take appeals and complaints seriously and are committed to addressing them in a prompt and transparent manner. We value your feedback and aim to continuously improve our processes to maintain the highest standards of publication ethics.