Prophetic: Professional, Empathy, Islamic Counseling Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics, editorial integrity, transparency, and fairness. The journal handles all complaints and appeals objectively, confidentially, and without retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith. This policy is guided by publication ethics principles and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

This policy establishes procedures for authors, reviewers, readers, editors, and other stakeholders to submit complaints regarding the journal's editorial processes and ethical practices, as well as appeals against editorial decisions.

1. Scope of Complaints and Appeals

A. Complaints

Complaints may concern, but are not limited to, the following matters:

• Unreasonable delays in manuscript processing or a lack of communication regarding editorial decisions.
• Unprofessional conduct, bias, or conflicts of interest involving editors, reviewers, or journal staff.
• Breaches of confidentiality during submission, peer review, or publication.
• Failure to follow the journal's stated editorial procedures or publication ethics policies.
• Concerns about the accuracy, integrity, or ethical aspects of published content.
• Other concerns relating to the journal's management, editorial practices, or publication standards.

B. Appeals

Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they have reasonable grounds to believe that:

• The decision was based on a significant factual or procedural error.
• The manuscript was misunderstood or important evidence was overlooked.
• The peer-review process was unfair, biased, or affected by an undisclosed conflict of interest.
• The editorial decision was inconsistent with the journal's stated policies or ethical standards.

An appeal must provide specific, evidence-based reasons for reconsideration. Disagreement with an editorial decision alone is not sufficient grounds for an appeal.

2. Matters Covered by Other Policies

Certain concerns may be handled under other relevant journal policies to ensure an appropriate and consistent response:

• Research Misconduct: Allegations of plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, or other research misconduct are handled under the journal's Research Misconduct policy.
• Correction and Retraction: Requests to correct the scholarly record, including concerns about errors in published articles, are assessed under the journal's applicable correction and retraction procedures.
• Post-Publication Discussion: Substantive disagreements concerning the findings, interpretation, or conclusions of published articles may be addressed through the journal's post-publication discussion procedures, where applicable.
• Peer Review: Concerns related to reviewer conduct or the peer-review process may also be assessed in accordance with the journal's Peer Review Process policy.

3. How to Submit a Complaint or Appeal

Complaints and appeals should be submitted in writing to the Prophetic Editorial Office through the official contact details provided on the journal's website. The subject line should clearly identify the submission as either "Complaint" or "Appeal – [Manuscript ID or Article Title]".

Submissions should include the following information, where applicable:

• The complainant's or author's name, institutional affiliation, and contact information.
• The manuscript identification number, article title, or DOI, if relevant.
• A clear and factual description of the complaint or grounds for appeal.
• Relevant supporting documentation, correspondence, or other evidence.
• For appeals, an explanation of why the original decision should be reconsidered.

The journal may request additional information when necessary to assess the matter fairly. Complaints and appeals should be submitted in good faith and provide sufficient information to enable a meaningful review.

4. Procedure for Handling Complaints

Complaints are handled through the following stages:

1. Receipt and Acknowledgment. The Editorial Office records the complaint and acknowledges receipt when contact details are available.
2. Initial Assessment. The Editor-in-Chief or an appropriately designated editor determines whether the complaint falls within the journal's responsibility and identifies the appropriate procedure.
3. Information Gathering. Relevant individuals may be invited to provide explanations or supporting information. Individuals with a conflict of interest must not participate in decisions concerning the complaint.
4. Independent Review. Where appropriate, the journal may consult an independent editor, qualified expert, or relevant institutional representative to ensure an impartial assessment.
5. Decision and Communication. The journal communicates the outcome to the complainant, including the reasons for the decision where appropriate, and takes corrective action when a complaint is substantiated.

5. Procedure for Handling Appeals

Appeals against editorial decisions are assessed carefully and independently. The following principles apply:

• Each editorial decision may normally be appealed once, provided the appeal presents clear and substantive grounds for reconsideration.
• The Editor-in-Chief reviews the appeal, the original decision, the reviewers' comments, and any additional evidence submitted by the author.
• If the Editor-in-Chief was involved in the original decision or has a conflict of interest, the appeal will be assigned to an appropriate independent editor.
• Where necessary, the journal may seek an additional independent assessment from a qualified reviewer or subject expert.
• The author will be informed of the outcome and the principal reasons for the decision.
• The decision following the appeal is final within the journal's editorial process. A manuscript rejected after appeal will not ordinarily be reconsidered through another appeal.

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee that the original editorial decision will be changed. The journal's assessment is based on scholarly merit, procedural fairness, and publication ethics.

6. Fairness, Independence, and Confidentiality

Prophetic is committed to ensuring that complaints and appeals are handled according to the following principles:

• Impartiality: All cases are assessed objectively, without discrimination based on institutional affiliation, nationality, seniority, personal relationships, or commercial interests.
• Independence: Individuals with relevant conflicts of interest or direct involvement in the disputed decision will not determine the matter independently.
• Confidentiality: Information relating to complaints and appeals is shared only with individuals who need it to assess or resolve the case.
• Non-Retaliation: The journal does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who raise legitimate concerns in good faith.
• Evidence-Based Assessment: Decisions are based on relevant documentation, applicable journal policies, scholarly considerations, and ethical standards.

7. Possible Outcomes

Depending on the nature and findings of the case, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

• Dismiss the complaint or appeal with an appropriate explanation.
• Provide clarification or an apology where warranted.
• Review or improve editorial procedures and communication practices.
• Reconsider an editorial decision when a material error or procedural irregularity is established.
• Initiate further ethical review or take appropriate action in response to a confirmed breach of publication ethics.
• Refer the matter to an author's or researcher's institution or another relevant body when necessary and appropriate.
• Refer publication-related concerns to the applicable correction, retraction, or research misconduct procedure.

8. Documentation and Record Keeping

The Editorial Office maintains appropriate records of complaints and appeals, including the information received, assessment process, relevant correspondence, decisions, and any corrective actions taken. These records are kept confidential and retained in accordance with the journal's applicable procedures. Lessons learned from complaints and appeals may be used to improve editorial quality, accountability, and publication practices.

9. Contact and Related Policies

Authors, reviewers, readers, and other stakeholders who wish to raise a complaint or submit an appeal should contact the Prophetic Editorial Office using the official contact information available on the journal website.

Journal: Prophetic: Professional, Empathy, Islamic Counseling Journal
Website: https://journal1.uinssc.ac.id/index.php/prophetic

This policy should be read together with the journal's Publication Ethics, Research Misconduct, Correction and Retraction, Peer Review Process, and other relevant editorial policies.

Prophetic: Professional, Empathy, Islamic Counseling Journal is committed to resolving complaints and appeals responsibly, fairly, and transparently while protecting the integrity of the scholarly record.