The International Journal of Civil Service Reform and Practice (IJCSRP) is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and impartial editorial process. Authors, reviewers, and readers may submit complaints or appeals regarding the editorial process, publication ethics, or editorial decisions.

Appeals against editorial decisions

Authors who believe that a manuscript has been rejected due to a procedural error, misunderstanding, or factual mistake may submit a written appeal to the Editor-in-Chief within 30 days of receiving the editorial decision.

An appeal must identify a material procedural error, factual misunderstanding, or significant issue affecting the editorial decision. Mere disagreement with reviewers’ academic judgment or the Journal’s assessment of priority is not sufficient grounds for appeal.

The appeal should:

• clearly explain the reasons for the appeal;
• provide evidence supporting the request for reconsideration;
• address any specific issues raised during peer review.

Appeals are reviewed by an editor or member of the Editorial Board who was not directly responsible for the original decision. Where the Editor-in-Chief made the original decision, the appeal should, where practicable, be considered in consultation with an uninvolved member of the Editorial Board. Additional independent reviewers may be consulted where necessary. The outcome of the appeal is final.

Complaints

The Journal accepts complaints concerning:

• editorial procedures;
• delays in the peer review or publication process;
• alleged breaches of publication ethics;
• conflicts of interest;
• reviewer misconduct;
• editorial misconduct;
• concerns regarding published articles.

All complaints should be submitted in writing to the editorial office and include sufficient information and supporting evidence.

The Journal will:

• acknowledge receipt of the complaint;
• conduct an impartial investigation in accordance with the COPE Core Practices and COPE guidance;
• maintain confidentiality throughout the investigation;
• inform the complainant of the outcome once the investigation has been completed.

Where necessary, the Journal may consult the Editorial Board, authors' institutions, or other relevant parties.

Anonymous complaints may be considered where they contain specific, credible, and verifiable evidence. The Journal may decline to investigate allegations that are vague, unsupported, abusive, or impossible to verify.

Complaints concerning the conduct of the Editor-in-Chief should be submitted to the Publisher or a designated senior representative of the Astana Civil Service Hub who was not involved in the matter.

The Journal will acknowledge receipt of a complaint or appeal within a reasonable period and will seek to provide an outcome as promptly as the complexity of the matter permits.