Procedure for Handling Complaints Regarding Violations of Academic Integrity and Publication Ethics

The journal's editorial board ensures a transparent and fair procedure for handling complaints related to possible violations of academic integrity and publication ethics. This procedure establishes the process for reviewing complaints about ethical breaches by authors, reviewers, or members of the journal's editorial board. It applies to issues related to plagiarism, improper appropriation of materials, conflicts of interest, data manipulation, and other violations of academic integrity.

1. Submission of a complaint. Complaints regarding possible violations (plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, duplicate publication, copyright infringement, conflict of interest) shall be submitted to the editorial board electronically via the journal's official email address, stating the nature of the violation and, where possible, providing relevant evidence. Anonymous complaints will not be considered. The complaint must clearly state:
   • the complainant's contact information;
   • a reference to the publication or material in question;
   • a detailed description of the violation with reference to evidence.
2. Preliminary review. The Editor-in-Chief or an authorized member of the editorial board conducts an initial assessment of the complaint's validity and decides on its further consideration. Within 5 working days, the authorized person checks:
   • whether the complaint falls within the journal's scope;
   • whether there are sufficient grounds for review.

   The complainant receives a notification of the complaint's registration or of the refusal to consider it.

3. Expert review. If necessary, the editorial board engages independent experts or reviewers for additional verification of the materials and facts presented in the complaint.
   The committee has the right to:
   • request additional materials and explanations;
   • engage independent experts;
   • consult with all interested parties.

   The review period shall not exceed 30 calendar days.

4. Informing the parties. The author(s) of the manuscript shall be informed of the substance of the complaint and shall have the right to provide written explanations or reasoned objections.
5. Decision-making. Based on the results of the review, the editorial board adopts a decision, which may include:
   • dismissing the complaint as unfounded;
   • recognizing the violation as minor and suggesting a correction;
   • recognizing the violation as substantial and taking appropriate measures.

   Possible measures in case of substantial violations:

   • refusal to publish the material;
   • retraction of an already published article;
   • ban on submitting materials for a specified period;
   • notification of the violation to the author's institution.
6. Maintaining confidentiality. All stages of complaint handling are carried out in compliance with the principles of confidentiality and impartiality.
7. Protection of the rights of the parties. All parties to the conflict have the right to:
   • receive full information about the review process;
   • present their explanations and evidence;
   • appeal the committee's decision.
8. Appeals. A decision of the committee may be appealed within 14 days to the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief shall consider the appeal within 10 working days. The decision of the Editor-in-Chief is final.

The members of the journal's editorial board shall adhere to the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the European Association of Science Editors (EASE), and the journal's own principles of publication ethics.