Complaint Handling Procedure

A fair, impartial, confidential, and evidence-based approach to editorial complaints and appeals.

Jurnal Harkat: Media Komunikasi Gender, published by PSGA, LP2M UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, recognizes the right of authors, reviewers, readers, research participants, and relevant stakeholders to raise legitimate editorial and publication-ethics concerns.

The journal considers complaints and appeals regarding scholarly content, editorial decisions, peer review, research integrity, professional conduct, and publication administration.

Its procedures are informed by the journal's Publication Ethics and relevant COPE guidance and aim to maintain fairness, confidentiality, and editorial independence.

A complaint does not establish misconduct, and an appeal does not guarantee reversal of an editorial decision. Matters are considered on their evidence and procedural merits.

Complaints and appeals may involve:

• Editorial Decisions: Material factual mistakes, significant misunderstandings, or procedural irregularities.
• Peer Review: Concerns about reviewer conduct, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, or review integrity.
• Research Misconduct: Plagiarism, falsification, fabrication, duplicate publication, or other serious concerns.
• Authorship: Disputed contributions, omitted authors, or unauthorized authorship changes.
• Published Content: Substantial errors or concerns about the reliability or ethics of published findings.
• Editorial Conduct: Bias, discrimination, breaches of confidentiality, or inappropriate conduct.
• Participant Protection: Concerns involving minors, survivors of violence, privacy, consent, or vulnerable populations.
• Journal Administration: Application of published policies or relevant editorial communication.

Concerns should be submitted in writing through the official journal contact channel or the OJS correspondence system, as appropriate.

Submissions should include:

• Name, affiliation, and reliable contact information of the complainant or appellant, where appropriate.
• Manuscript ID or published article citation and DOI, if available.
• Description of the decision or conduct being questioned.
• Relevant evidence, correspondence, or references.
• The remedy or reconsideration being requested.
• Any confidentiality, safety, or conflict-of-interest concerns.

The Editorial Office seeks to acknowledge complaints and appeals within a reasonable period and assess whether the matter falls within the journal's responsibilities.

The initial assessment considers whether the concern is sufficiently specific, whether relevant evidence is available, whether immediate protective measures are needed, and whether the case should be referred to another responsible authority.

Complaints without adequate supporting information may require clarification before further assessment.

1. Assessment: Determine the nature, seriousness, and relevance of the complaint.
2. Clarification: Obtain an explanation from relevant persons where appropriate.
3. Independent Advice: Consult independent editors, reviewers, or experts when necessary.
4. Institutional Referral: Refer matters requiring formal institutional investigation to appropriate authorities.
5. Fair Determination: Consider evidence and applicable journal policies before deciding the response.

Individuals with relevant conflicts of interest should not participate improperly in handling the matter.

The journal seeks to resolve concerns fairly and as promptly as evidence and circumstances permit. Complex cases may require additional evaluation.

Possible outcomes include:

• Explanation or clarification of the original editorial decision.
• Correction of a procedural or administrative error.
• Independent reassessment or additional peer review.
• Reconsideration or confirmation of an editorial decision.
• Referral under the Research Misconduct Policy.
• Correction, Expression of Concern, or retraction when publication integrity is affected.

Relevant decisions and the basis for them should be communicated to affected parties as appropriate, while respecting confidentiality.

Authors may appeal decisions when they believe material factual errors, procedural irregularities, or significant misunderstandings affected manuscript assessment.

An appeal should identify the disputed decision, provide substantive reasons, include supporting evidence, and explain why reconsideration is warranted.

Editorial reassessment does not guarantee acceptance. An appeal must not be used to exert pressure on editors or bypass scholarly review. Manuscripts remain subject to the journal's exclusive-submission requirements while an appeal is active.

Complaints and appeals must be handled with suitable confidentiality, impartiality, and respect for all parties.

• Protect confidential manuscripts and editorial correspondence.
• Limit access to sensitive complaint records.
• Avoid retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.
• Provide appropriate opportunity for relevant parties to respond.
• Protect information concerning children, survivors of gender-based violence, vulnerable participants, and confidential communities.

Participant safety and legitimate privacy interests must be considered when investigating and communicating sensitive matters.

The Editorial Office should maintain appropriate records of complaints, appeals, correspondence, supporting evidence, assessments, and decisions.

Records should be accessible only to authorized persons and managed under applicable confidentiality, institutional, and data-protection requirements.

The journal may review recurring concerns to identify opportunities to improve policy clarity, editorial consistency, and communication.

Jurnal Harkat is committed to fair, confidential, accountable, and evidence-based handling of complaints and appeals while preserving editorial independence and protecting research integrity.