Scope 

The procedure for handling complaints regarding violations of ethical principles by authors, reviewers or members of the journal’s editorial board applies to issues relating to plagiarism, unauthorised use of material, conflicts of interest, data manipulation and other violations of academic integrity.

How to submit a complaint 

Complaints must be submitted by email to the editorial office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The complaint must include: 

- the complainant’s contact details (full name, phone number, email address and/or postal address for correspondence);

- a reference to the publication (title, author(s), issue number);

- a detailed description of the violation with references to evidence. 

Anonymous complaints will not be considered by the editorial board. 

Initial stage of consideration 

For the initial assessment of a complaint, the Editor-in-Chief shall appoint an authorised representative who, within five working days, shall verify whether there are grounds for considering the complaint.

The complainant shall be notified when the complaint review procedure begins or if the complaint is rejected. 

Consideration of complaints 

In considering a complaint, the journal’s editorial board is entitled to: 

- request additional materials and explanations;

- consult independent experts;

- consult with all interested parties.

The editorial board handles complaints in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). During the complaint review process, it communicates with all parties involved, examines the correspondence history and the materials submitted.

The review period shall not exceed 30 working days. This period may be extended if it is necessary to obtain responses regarding the subject matter of the complaint from all parties involved and to conduct a detailed investigation, in which case the complainant shall be notified. In such cases, the editorial board shall make every effort to review the complaint as soon as possible.

The editorial board shall implement all necessary procedures to ensure, guarantee and uphold ethical standards and principles of academic integrity.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint, they have the right to lodge an appeal with the Editor-in-Chief. The appeal must be accompanied by the editorial board’s decision following the complaint and the materials on which the complaint is based. The appeal shall be considered by the editorial board. 

Resolutions and measures 

Following consideration of the complaint, the committee may decide to: 

- reject the complaint as unfounded;

- deem the violation to be minor and suggest corrections to the author(s);

- deem the violation to be substantial and take appropriate action. 

Possible measures in the event of significant violations: 

- refusal to publish the material;

- withdrawal of an already published article (retraction);

- a ban on submitting materials for a specified period;

- notification of the violation to the author’s institution. 

Protection of the parties’ rights 

All parties to the dispute have the right to: 

- receive full information about the proceedings;

- present their explanations and evidence;

- appeal against the commission’s decision.  

Appeals against decisions 

If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint investigation, they have the right to lodge an appeal with the Editor-in-Chief. The appeal must be accompanied by the editorial board’s decision on the complaint and the supporting documentation substantiating the substance of the complaint. The appeal is considered by the journal’s editorial board. Its decision is final. 

The editorial board’s decision may be appealed to the Editor-in-Chief within 14 days. 

The Editor-in-Chief shall consider the appeal within 10 working days. 

The Editor-in-Chief’s decision is final.