Author Appeals Policy

Pakistan Journal of Translational and Applied Medicine (PJTAM)

At PJTAM, we are committed to maintaining a transparent, rigorous, and unbiased peer review and editorial process. We acknowledge that authors may occasionally disagree with editorial decisions and have valid grounds for requesting reconsideration. This policy outlines a structured, fair, and ethical process for handling such appeals, while upholding the journal’s integrity and publication standards.

1. Valid Grounds for Appeal

Authors may formally appeal an editorial decision if they believe:

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

  • There were factual inaccuracies in reviewer comments or editorial handling that may have influenced the outcome

  • Evidence indicates the presence of a conflict of interest, bias, or breach of ethical standards during the review or decision-making process

Note: Appeals must be evidence-based and clearly justified. Appeals based solely on disagreement with reviewer opinions—without supporting rationale—are unlikely to be considered.

2. Submitting an Appeal

Timeframe
Appeals must be submitted within 20 calendar days of receiving the decision notification. Appeals submitted after this period may not be considered unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Formal Written Appeal
Authors should submit their appeal to the Editor-in-Chief via the official journal contact form (available on the PJTAM website). The appeal must include:

  • A clear explanation of the reason for the appeal

  • Identification of specific factual errors, misinterpretations, or ethical concerns

  • A structured response to reviewer/editorial comments, if applicable

  • Supporting evidence or clarifications (e.g., updated data, methodological explanations)

Revised Manuscript (Optional)
Authors may also submit a marked-up version of the manuscript along with a point-by-point response to reviewer concerns, especially if proposing revisions that address earlier feedback.

3. Appeal Review Process

Once an appeal is received:

Initial Assessment
The Editor-in-Chief will review the appeal, original manuscript, reviewer comments, and decision history. Input may be sought from the handling editor or additional editorial advisors.

Additional Review (if necessary)
The Editor-in-Chief may:

  • Consult the original reviewers (with author responses)

  • Assign the manuscript to new independent reviewers

  • Request evaluation by an uninvolved editorial board member for an impartial assessment

Final Decision
Based on this review, the editorial board may:

  • Uphold the original decision

  • Invite a revised manuscript for reconsideration

  • Accept the manuscript (with or without further revisions)

A written explanation of the outcome will be sent to the corresponding author.

4. Appeal Limitations

  • Only one appeal per manuscript will be considered

  • Appeals do not guarantee reversal of a decision

  • Repeated or unsubstantiated appeals will not be entertained

  • Appeals must focus on the content and process; speculative or accusatory language will not be accepted

5. Ethical Considerations

If the appeal involves allegations of ethical misconduct (e.g., undisclosed conflicts, reviewer bias, or procedural irregularities), the matter will be escalated to an independent ethics panel within PJTAM.

Corrective actions may include:

  • Reassigning the manuscript to a new editor and/or review team

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

  • Implementing necessary process revisions to prevent future issues

6. Communication and Timeline

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

  • Review Duration: Most appeals are resolved within 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the case

This policy is designed to protect both authors and the integrity of PJTAM's editorial process. All appeals are reviewed with fairness, confidentiality, and academic responsibility.