The Health Science and Nursing Research Journal (HSNRJ) is committed to handling complaints and appeals fairly, respectfully, confidentially, and transparently.

Editorial Appeals

Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they believe that a significant scientific, procedural, or ethical error affected the decision.

An appeal should:

• identify the manuscript concerned;
• clearly state the decision being challenged;
• explain the specific basis for the appeal; and
• provide relevant scientific or procedural evidence.

An appeal should address substantive issues rather than merely express disagreement with the editorial outcome.

Where appropriate and practicable, the appeal will be considered by an editor who was not primarily responsible for the original decision.

Complaints

Complaints may concern:

• editorial procedures;
• peer-review conduct;
• publication ethics;
• conflicts of interest;
• inappropriate editorial behavior;
• published content; or
• other matters related to the journal's scholarly publishing activities.

Complaints should include sufficient information and supporting evidence to allow appropriate assessment.

Fair Process

HSNRJ will seek to:

• acknowledge and assess complaints appropriately;
• protect confidentiality where necessary;
• provide relevant parties an opportunity to respond when appropriate;
• avoid retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith; and
• take corrective action when justified.

Complaints involving the Editor-in-Chief should be referred to an appropriate independent authority within the journal or publisher structure.

Research Misconduct Complaints

When a complaint concerns potential research misconduct that requires institutional investigation, HSNRJ may refer the matter to the relevant institution, ethics committee, funder, or other competent body.

The journal may take interim editorial action while an investigation is ongoing when necessary to protect the scholarly record.