Complaints and appeals handling process
World Journal of Language, Media and Culture is committed to upholding the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and academic integrity. To ensure that all complaints and appeals are handled appropriately, we have established a structured process that applies to all stakeholders—authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.
1. Submission of a complaint or appeal
Complaints and appeals must be submitted by email to: support@pierreonline.uk.
Submissions should include:
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A clear description of the issue or concern
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Dates and names of the parties involved
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Any supporting documentation relevant to the case
2. Acknowledgement of receipt
All complaints and appeals will be acknowledged within five working days of receipt. The acknowledgement will:
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Confirm receipt of the submission
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Provide contact details for the case handler
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Outline the steps of the process and the expected timeline
3. Initial review and assessment
Within ten working days of acknowledgement, the complaints and appeals officer will:
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Assess the completeness and relevance of the information
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Determine the type and seriousness of the issue
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Identify whether immediate action is warranted
4. Investigation
An impartial and confidential investigation will be conducted, which may include:
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Gathering further information from relevant parties
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Reviewing journal records, policies, and procedures
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Consulting editorial board members if necessary
5. Resolution and decision
Following the investigation, the officer will:
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Formulate a resolution or final decision
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Communicate the outcome to all involved parties, along with the rationale
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Outline any corrective or preventive measures to be taken
This stage will be completed within twenty working days from the start of the investigation.
6. Implementation of resolution
If specific actions are required, WJLMC will:
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Implement the agreed corrective measures without delay
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Monitor the resolution’s effectiveness
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Keep stakeholders informed throughout the process
7. Right to further appeal
If a complainant remains unsatisfied with the outcome, they may:
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Submit a formal appeal in writing, explaining the grounds for dissatisfaction
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Have the appeal reviewed by a higher authority within WJLMC (e.g., the Editor-in-Chief or an independent panel)
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Receive a final, binding decision that concludes the matter
8. Record keeping and reporting
We maintain detailed records of all complaints and appeals, including:
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The original submission and correspondence
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Investigation procedures and findings
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Final decisions and follow-up actions taken
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Communication logs with all parties
Regular audits of these records are conducted to identify trends and improve processes.
9. Commitment to continuous improvement
To enhance the effectiveness of this process, WJLMC will:
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Regularly review and revise its policies and workflows
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Provide training to relevant staff and editorial team members
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Welcome feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers
This framework reflects WJLMC’s dedication to editorial transparency, professional accountability, and a culture of continuous learning.