Complaints and Appeals

Elementary: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar is committed to providing a fair and transparent process for handling complaints and appeals. This policy outlines the procedures for submitting complaints against the journal, its staff, editorial board, or publisher, as well as the process for handling appeals. Elementary aims to ensure that all complaints are addressed promptly, impartially, and with due consideration to maintaining the integrity of its scholarly publications. The journal follows the Core Practices established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Types of Complaints

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

• Allegations of research misconduct or ethical violations in published articles.
• Claims of bias or unfair treatment by the editorial board or journal staff.
• Disputes related to the peer-review process.
• Allegations of copyright infringement or plagiarism.
• Concerns about conflicts of interest or undisclosed competing interests.

Submitting a Complaint

Authors, reviewers, readers, or other concerned individuals may submit complaints regarding any aspect of Elementary's operations through the journal's official email address. Complaints should include the complainant's contact information, a detailed description of the issue, and any relevant supporting evidence or documentation.

Complaints may be submitted to the editorial office at [email protected].

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Elementary recognizes the importance of protecting the confidentiality and anonymity of both complainants and individuals involved in the investigation. Complaints will be handled confidentially, and personal information will only be shared with individuals directly involved in the investigation.

Initial Assessment

Upon receiving a complaint, the editorial office of Elementary will conduct an initial assessment to determine the validity and seriousness of the issues raised. If the complaint falls outside the scope of this policy, the complainant will be informed and, where possible, directed to the appropriate authority.

Investigation Process

If a complaint is deemed valid and falls within the scope of this policy, the editorial board of Elementary will initiate a thorough investigation. The investigation may involve gathering additional information, consulting relevant parties, and examining pertinent documents or evidence.

Involvement of the Editorial Board and Publisher

If a complaint involves a member of the editorial board or the publisher, Elementary will take appropriate measures to ensure that the individual concerned is not involved in the investigation process in order to maintain impartiality and objectivity.

Resolution and Communication

Elementary will strive to resolve complaints as promptly as possible. Once the investigation is complete, the complainant will be notified of the outcome and any actions taken in response to the complaint.

Appeals

If a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the initial investigation, they may submit an appeal. The appeal must clearly state the reasons for challenging the previous decision and provide any additional relevant evidence or information.

Appeals Handling

Elementary will establish an independent appeals committee comprising individuals who were not previously involved in the complaint investigation. The committee will review the appeal and conduct a fair and impartial reassessment of the case.

Final Decision

The decision of the appeals committee will be final. Elementary will communicate the outcome to the complainant and provide a comprehensive explanation of the decision.

Public Transparency

To maintain transparency and accountability, Elementary will keep records of all complaints received, including their resolutions and any actions taken. Anonymized records may be made publicly available on the journal's website, subject to privacy and confidentiality considerations.

Review of the Complaints and Appeals Policy

Elementary will periodically review and update this policy to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with current best practices. Any revisions to this policy will be communicated to relevant stakeholders and published on the journal's website.