Appeals, Complaints & Post-Publication Updates
Pharmacotherapy in Psychiatry and Neurology is committed to maintaining a fair and transparent editorial process and the accuracy and integrity of the published scientific record. Appeals, complaints, and post-publication concerns are handled in accordance with the principles and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Appeals Against Editorial Decisions
Authors may appeal an editorial decision if they believe that a substantial scientific, methodological, or procedural issue was overlooked or misunderstood during the evaluation of their manuscript.
An appeal must provide a clear and detailed justification and should specifically address the reasons given for the editorial decision. Appeals based solely on disagreement with the decision, without substantive scientific or procedural arguments, will not normally be considered.
An appeal should:
- identify the manuscript and the editorial decision being appealed;
- clearly explain the grounds for the appeal;
- address the relevant comments of the Editor and/or reviewers; and
- provide any evidence or information necessary to support the appeal.
Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reconsideration or reversal of the original decision.
Appeals will be evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief or, where appropriate, by another senior editor who was not directly involved in the original decision. Additional independent expert advice may be sought when necessary.
If the Editor-in-Chief has a conflict of interest in relation to the manuscript or was responsible for the decision being appealed, the appeal will be handled by an independent member of the Editorial Board.
The decision reached following consideration of an appeal is normally final.
Authors should not submit the manuscript to another journal while a formal appeal is under consideration.
Complaints
Authors, reviewers, readers, institutions, and other parties may submit complaints concerning the journal's editorial procedures, publication ethics, published content, or the conduct of editors, reviewers, or other individuals involved in the publication process.
Complaints should clearly describe the issue and provide supporting information or documentation where available. Anonymous allegations may be considered when they raise credible and sufficiently documented concerns, although the journal may be unable to investigate allegations that cannot be substantiated.
Complaints will be handled confidentially to the extent reasonably possible and will be assessed in accordance with applicable COPE guidance.
Complaints concerning an Editor will be referred to another editor who is not involved in the matter. Complaints concerning the Editor-in-Chief will be referred to an appropriate independent representative of the Publisher.
Where a complaint raises concerns about possible research or publication misconduct, the journal may request additional information from the authors or other parties and may contact the relevant institution, research integrity office, funder, ethics committee, or other appropriate body.
Corrections
Authors should inform the Editorial Office promptly if they identify an error in a published article.
A Correction may be published when an error or omission affects the accuracy, interpretation, or completeness of the article or its metadata but does not invalidate the principal findings and conclusions.
Corrections may be initiated by the authors, Editors, or Publisher. Published correction notices will clearly identify the article concerned, describe the correction, and be permanently linked to the original publication. Where appropriate, the online version of the article may also be updated with a clear indication that a correction has been issued.
Minor typographical or formatting errors that do not affect the scientific content, interpretation, or indexing of an article may be corrected without a formal Correction notice at the discretion of the journal.
Expressions of Concern
An Expression of Concern may be issued when serious concerns have been raised regarding a published article but the available evidence is inconclusive, an investigation is ongoing, or a definitive outcome cannot reasonably be reached within an appropriate period.
An Expression of Concern will be linked to the article and may subsequently be replaced or supplemented by a Correction, Retraction, or other appropriate notice once sufficient information becomes available.
Retractions
An article may be retracted when there is reliable evidence that its findings or conclusions cannot be relied upon, whether as a result of major error or research or publication misconduct.
Reasons for retraction may include, among others, fabrication or falsification of data, serious methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the findings, plagiarism, redundant publication, unethical research, unauthorized use of data or material, serious undisclosed conflicts of interest affecting the integrity of the work, or manipulation of the peer-review or publication process.
Retraction decisions will be made in accordance with applicable COPE guidance. Retraction notices will be freely accessible, clearly identify the retracted article, explain the reason for the retraction, and remain permanently linked to the original article.
Retracted articles will normally remain accessible as part of the scholarly record and will be clearly marked as retracted. Retraction is intended to correct the scientific record rather than to punish authors.
Article Removal
Removal of a published article is reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as situations involving serious legal concerns, substantial risks to privacy or confidentiality, or content whose continued availability could cause serious harm.
Whenever possible, the bibliographic record will be retained together with a notice explaining why the article has been removed.
Post-Publication Discussion
Pharmacotherapy in Psychiatry and Neurology encourages scientifically constructive discussion of published research.
Readers who wish to comment on, critically evaluate, or provide an alternative interpretation of an article published in the journal may submit a Letter to the Editor in accordance with the journal's Instructions for Authors.
When a Letter to the Editor directly comments on a published article, the authors of the original article may be invited to submit a response. Letters and responses are subject to editorial assessment and, where appropriate, peer review.
Post-publication correspondence should focus on scientific, methodological, or clinical issues and should be evidence-based, professional, and respectful. The journal reserves the right not to consider correspondence that is defamatory, abusive, unsupported by evidence, or unrelated to the scientific content of the publication.
Publication of post-publication correspondence does not preclude the journal from issuing a Correction, Expression of Concern, Retraction, or other editorial notice when warranted.
General Principles
The journal will seek to handle appeals, complaints, and post-publication concerns fairly, confidentially, and without unnecessary delay. Individuals involved in assessing a matter must disclose relevant conflicts of interest and, where necessary, recuse themselves.
Editorial actions will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the issue and will aim primarily to preserve the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scientific record. All appeals, complaints, and post-publication concerns should be submitted by e-mail to jolanta.prazeres@umw.edu.pl.