Complaints Policy

The Editorial Board of the journal “Psychology and Personality” is committed to responding promptly, fairly, and constructively to all complaints. The journal examines each case individually, taking into account its nature and complexity, and all decisions are guided by the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

 

Definition of a Complaint

A complaint is any well-founded communication from authors, reviewers, readers, or other stakeholders regarding potential breaches of publication ethics, editorial policy, or scientific integrity. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • plagiarism or self-plagiarism;
  • data fabrication or falsification;
  • improper authorship or disputes over contribution;
  • undeclared conflicts of interest;
  • breaches of the peer-review process;
  • any other action that could compromise the reliability or ethical standards of a publication.

 

Submission and Review of Complaints

Complaints or suggestions should be submitted via the official journal email: info@psychpersonality.com.ua.

Complaints should:

  • be concise, specific, and clearly state the issue;
  • provide sufficient information to identify the potential ethical breach;
  • include, where possible, supporting documents or evidence.

All complaints are normally addressed within 30 working days. In cases of increased complexity, this period may be extended, and the complainant will be informed accordingly.

Each complaint is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Independent experts or uninvolved members of the editorial board may be consulted to ensure impartial evaluation.

 

Appeals

Authors may appeal against editorial decisions, including rejection of a manuscript. Appeals must:

  • clearly state the grounds for disagreement;
  • provide arguments or additional materials that may affect the review of the decision.

Appeals are reviewed independently, usually involving alternative reviewers or editorial board members who were not part of the original decision-making process. Decisions on appeals are final.

 

Response and Sanctions

If a complaint is substantiated, the journal may take appropriate measures according to the severity of the case, including:

  • rejection of the manuscript;
  • requesting revisions or corrections;
  • publication of a corrigendum or erratum;
  • retraction of a published article;
  • temporary or permanent restriction on submissions by the author;
  • notification of the author’s affiliated institution;
  • public disclosure of the ethical breach, if necessary.

All actions are guided by the principles of objectivity, proportionality, and international ethical standards.

 

Limitations in Handling Complaints

The journal reserves the right not to process complaints that:

  • fall outside its scope of responsibility (e.g., personal disputes between individuals);
  • lack sufficient justification or evidence;
  • are submitted in an offensive, threatening, or defamatory manner.

In such cases, the complainant will receive a reasoned explanation for the decision not to pursue the complaint.

The journal is committed to a transparent, responsible, and fair approach to handling complaints and appeals, ensuring the highest standards of academic integrity and maintaining trust in scientific publications.