Post publication feedback

The Journal of Physical Education is firmly committed to ethics and integrity in scientific publishing. To ensure that all published articles comply with the highest ethical standards, we have established clear procedures for handling complaints related to published articles. These procedures follow the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and ensure a prompt, fair, and transparent response.

  1. Receipt of Complaint

1.1. Communication Channel

  • Complaints can be sent via email to the editor-in-chief or through a specific form available in this link.
  • The complaint must be detailed, including sufficient information to enable a thorough investigation (e.g., article details, description of the allegation, and, if possible, supporting evidence).

1.2. Confidentiality

  • The journal will treat all complaints with the utmost confidentiality. The identity of the complainant will be kept confidential unless disclosure is necessary as part of legal proceedings.

 

  1. Initial Assessment of Complaint

 2.1. Initial Screening

  • The editor-in-chief or a designated member of the editorial team will conduct an initial screening of the complaint to determine if it falls within the scope of the journal and if there is sufficient information to proceed.

2.2. Communication with Complainant

  • The complainant will receive an email confirming receipt of the complaint and providing information on the next steps and the estimated timeframe for an initial response.

 

  1. Investigation

3.1. Ethics Committee

  • The complaint will be referred to the journal's Ethics Committee, composed of members of the editorial board and publication ethics experts.

3.2. Initial Meeting

  • The Ethics Committee will hold an initial meeting to discuss the complaint and establish an investigation plan. If necessary, external experts may be invited to contribute to the investigation.

3.3. Communication with Involved Parties

  • The author(s) of the reported article will be notified of the complaint and given the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The authors' response will be considered in the investigation.

 

  1. Decision Making

4.1. Evidence Review

  • The Ethics Committee will review all collected evidence, including the original complaint, authors' response, and any other relevant documentation.

4.2. Final Decision

  • Based on the evidence review, the Ethics Committee will make a decision regarding the validity of the complaint. Possible decisions include:
    • Dismissal of the complaint if deemed unfounded.
    • Correction of the article if minor errors are identified.
    • Retraction of the article if misconduct is confirmed.

4.3. Communication of Decisions

  • Both the complainant and the authors will be notified in writing of the final decision. The decision will also be communicated publicly on the journal's website if necessary, while preserving confidentiality as appropriate.

 

  1. Implementation of Actions

 5.1. Correction or Retraction

  • If a correction or retraction is necessary, the journal will follow standard procedures for publishing corrections or retractions, in accordance with COPE guidelines.

5.2. Notification to Relevant Parties

  • Relevant organizations, such as research institutions, funders, or other journals, will be notified of the decision as necessary.
  •  
  1. Appeals

6.1. Request for Review

  • If any involved party (complainant or author) is dissatisfied with the decision, they may request a review by the Ethics Committee.

6.2. Re-evaluation

  • The review will be conducted by additional members of the editorial board or external experts who were not involved in the original investigation.

 

  1. Documentation and Archiving

7.1. Records

  • All stages of the investigation process, from receipt of the complaint to the final decision, will be documented and archived for future reference.

7.2. Annual Reports

  • The Ethics Committee will publish an annual report summarizing the number and types of complaints received, as well as the outcomes of investigations, while preserving confidentiality as necessary."

This policy aims to ensure transparency, integrity, and accountability in scientific publishing, following internationally recognized guidelines.