Author Appeals Policy

At ACADEMIA Tech Frontiers Journal (ATFJ), we are committed to a fair, transparent, and objective editorial process. While our rigorous peer review system is designed to ensure scholarly integrity and quality, we recognize that authors may occasionally wish to contest an editorial decision. This policy outlines the formal appeal process and guarantees that such requests are handled consistently, professionally, and ethically.

1. Valid Grounds for Appeal

Authors may submit an appeal if they believe:

  • The editorial decision was based on a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the manuscript’s content, methods, or data

  • Reviewer feedback contained factual inaccuracies or technical misjudgments that directly influenced the outcome

  • There is reasonable evidence of reviewer/editorial bias, conflict of interest, or procedural irregularities during the review process

❗ Appeals submitted solely based on disagreement with reviewer opinions—without a valid academic or procedural justification—will not be considered.

2. Submitting an Appeal

Timeframe
Authors must submit an appeal within 20 calendar days of receiving the decision notification. Appeals submitted after this period will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Submission Format
Appeals should be formally addressed to the Editor-in-Chief and submitted via the official contact method on the journal website:
???? https://academia.edu.pk/index.php/atfj

The appeal must include:

  • A concise and clear explanation of the grounds for appeal

  • Direct references to specific reviewer/editorial comments being challenged

  • Supporting evidence, such as technical clarifications or corrected data

  • (Optional) A revised version of the manuscript with a detailed response to reviewer comments

3. Appeal Review Process

Upon receiving an appeal, the editorial office will initiate the following steps:

Initial Assessment
The Editor-in-Chief will review the complete appeal file, including the original submission, reviewer reports, and editorial notes. Consultation with the original handling editor or other board members may be initiated.

Further Evaluation (if necessary)
Depending on the nature of the appeal, the Editor-in-Chief may:

  • Reconsult the original reviewers

  • Invite independent reviewers who were not involved in the initial review

  • Refer the appeal to a neutral editorial board member or an external ethics advisor

Final Decision
After evaluating the appeal, one of the following outcomes will be communicated:

  • Rejection upheld

  • Invitation to revise and resubmit

  • Manuscript accepted (with or without revisions)

A formal decision letter, including a rationale for the outcome, will be sent to the corresponding author.

4. Appeal Limitations

  • Only one appeal per manuscript is permitted

  • An appeal does not guarantee a reversal of the original decision

  • Appeals that are repetitive, baseless, or expressed in an unprofessional tone will not be considered

5. Ethical Considerations

If the appeal highlights possible ethical violations—such as undeclared conflicts of interest, reviewer misconduct, or breach of confidentiality—the case will be referred to the ATFJ Ethics Committee for investigation.

Possible corrective actions may include:

  • Reassignment of the manuscript to a different editor or reviewer panel

  • A formal inquiry based on COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines

  • Further communication with the author(s) regarding outcomes or required corrections

6. Communication and Timeline

  • Acknowledgment: Authors will receive confirmation of appeal receipt within 5 business days

  • Resolution: Appeals are generally resolved within 4–8 weeks, depending on complexity and availability of reviewers or board members

At ACADEMIA Tech Frontiers Journal (ATFJ), we believe in upholding the principles of academic fairness, respectful dialogue, and transparent decision-making. The Author Appeals Policy ensures that legitimate concerns are addressed constructively, while maintaining the integrity of our peer review and editorial processes.