Author Appeals Policy

ACADEMIA Health Sphere Journal (AHSJ)
https://academia.edu.pk/index.php/hsj

At ACADEMIA Health Sphere Journal (AHSJ), we are committed to maintaining a fair, ethical, and transparent editorial process. While our double-blind peer review system ensures the scientific integrity of published research, we also recognize that authors may occasionally disagree with editorial decisions. This policy provides a formal, respectful, and principled framework for authors to appeal such decisions.

1. Valid Grounds for Appeal

Authors may submit an appeal if they believe that:

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

  • Reviewer comments contained factual inaccuracies or misjudgments that materially influenced the outcome

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

⚠️ Appeals based solely on disagreement with reviewer opinion—without compelling, evidence-based reasoning—will not be entertained.

2. Submitting an Appeal

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

Submission Method
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief through the journal’s official communication channel:
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Appeal Letter Requirements
The written appeal should include:

  • A clear explanation of the appeal grounds

  • Specific references to the reviewer or editorial comments in question

  • Supporting evidence (e.g., clarification, corrected data)

  • (Optional) A revised or marked-up manuscript version and point-by-point response to reviewer comments

3. Appeal Review Process

Initial Assessment
The Editor-in-Chief will assess the appeal submission alongside the original manuscript, reviewer reports, and editorial correspondence. Additional input may be sought from the handling editor or relevant editorial board members.

Further Evaluation (if needed)
If the appeal merits deeper investigation, AHSJ may:

  • Re-engage the original reviewers

  • Appoint independent reviewers uninvolved in the initial decision

  • Consult a neutral editorial advisor or ethics panel

Final Decision
The possible outcomes of the appeal include:

  • Uphold the original decision

  • Invite a revised resubmission

  • Accept the manuscript, with or without revisions

Authors will receive a formal response with a detailed rationale behind the final decision.

4. Appeal Limitations

  • Only one appeal is allowed per manuscript

  • Appeals do not guarantee a reversal of the original decision

  • Appeals written in an unprofessional tone or without clear evidence will not be reviewed

5. Ethical Considerations

If an appeal reveals potential ethical concerns such as:

  • Reviewer or editorial bias

  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest

  • Breach of confidentiality or misconduct

—AHSJ will escalate the matter to its Editorial Ethics Committee for an impartial review.

Corrective measures may include:

  • Reassigning the manuscript to a different editor or review team

  • Conducting a formal investigation following COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines

6. Communication and Timeline

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

  • Resolution: Most appeals are resolved within 4–8 weeks, depending on case complexity and reviewer availability

At ACADEMIA Health Sphere Journal (AHSJ), we believe in fostering respectful scholarly dialogue. This appeals policy ensures a structured and ethical process for authors seeking reconsideration, while upholding the journal’s dedication to scientific excellence, fairness, and editorial transparency.