The International Journal of Indigenous Languages (IJILAN) is committed to maintaining transparency, accountability, fairness, and professionalism in all aspects of its editorial and publication processes. The journal recognizes the right of authors, reviewers, readers, editorial board members, and other stakeholders to raise complaints or concerns regarding editorial decisions, ethical issues, publication conduct, or administrative procedures.

This Complaint Procedure establishes a fair and transparent mechanism for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints related to the operations and publications of the journal.

Purpose of the Complaint Procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to:

• Provide a formal process for addressing complaints and grievances;

• Ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in editorial practices;

• Protect the integrity and reputation of the journal;

• Promote ethical scholarly publishing and professional conduct.

Scope of Complaints

Complaints may relate to, but are not limited to, the following issues:

Editorial Process Complaints

• Unreasonable delay in manuscript processing;

• Perceived bias or unfair editorial decisions;

• Inappropriate reviewer conduct;

• Breach of confidentiality during peer review.

Publication Ethics Complaints

• Allegations of plagiarism or academic misconduct;

• Data fabrication or falsification;

• Duplicate publication;

• Authorship disputes;

• Undisclosed conflicts of interest.

Ethical and Cultural Concerns

• Misrepresentation or misuse of indigenous knowledge;

• Violation of cultural protocols or community rights;

• Offensive or discriminatory content.

Administrative Complaints

• Communication failures;

• Technical issues affecting submission or publication;

• Concerns regarding publication fees or journal policies.

Who May Submit a Complaint?

Complaints may be submitted by:

• Authors;

• Reviewers;

• Readers;

• Editorial Board members;

• Research institutions;

• Indigenous communities or organizations;

• Other stakeholders affected by the journal’s activities.

Submission of Complaints

All complaints should be submitted formally in writing to the Editorial Office or Editor-in-Chief through the journal’s official communication channels.

Complaints should include:

• Full name and contact information of the complainant;

• Clear description of the issue;

• Relevant manuscript title, article reference, or supporting evidence where applicable;

• Any previous correspondence relating to the complaint.

Anonymous complaints may be considered where sufficient evidence is provided.

Complaint Handling Procedure

Step 1: Acknowledgment

• The journal shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 7 working days.

Step 2: Preliminary Assessment

• The Editor-in-Chief or designated editorial representative shall conduct an initial review of the complaint to determine its validity and scope.

Step 3: Investigation

• Relevant parties may be contacted for clarification or response;

• Supporting evidence and documentation shall be reviewed;

• External experts or institutional authorities may be consulted where necessary.

Step 4: Decision and Resolution

Following investigation, the journal may:

• Dismiss the complaint where no evidence exists;

• Request corrections or clarifications;

• Reconsider editorial decisions;

• Issue apologies, corrections, or retractions where appropriate;

• Take disciplinary or ethical actions in cases of misconduct.

Step 5: Communication of Outcome

• The complainant shall be informed of the outcome and any actions taken, subject to confidentiality requirements.

Appeals Procedure

Where a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome, an appeal may be submitted for further consideration.

Appeals must:

• Be submitted within a specified reasonable period after the initial decision;

• Present additional evidence or justification;

• Clearly state the grounds for appeal.

The decision reached after appeal review shall be considered final.

Confidentiality

The journal shall:

• Handle complaints confidentially and professionally;

• Protect the identities of complainants, reviewers, and authors where appropriate;

• Avoid disclosure of sensitive information except where necessary for investigation or legal obligations.

Protection against Retaliation

IJILAN prohibits retaliation against individuals who raise complaints or ethical concerns in good faith. Complainants shall not be subjected to intimidation, discrimination, or unfair treatment as a result of reporting concerns.

Ethical Principles Guiding Complaint Resolution

The journal shall ensure that all complaints are handled according to principles of:

• Fairness;

• Transparency;

• Accountability;

• Respect for cultural diversity and indigenous rights;

• Academic integrity;

• Procedural justice.

Commitment to Responsible Publishing

IJILAN remains committed to maintaining high standards of ethical publishing, editorial professionalism, and respectful scholarly engagement. The journal encourages all stakeholders to communicate concerns responsibly and constructively in order to strengthen the quality and credibility of indigenous language scholarship.