Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine (ACAM) values the constructive input of authors, reviewers, and readers. All complaints are addressed seriously, confidentially, and in alignment with the principles of COPE, ICMJE, WAME, and the DOAJ Best Practice Guidelines.

Complaints may concern peer review, editorial decisions, ethical concerns (e.g., plagiarism, data falsification, authorship disputes), delays, or unprofessional conduct during the editorial process.

All complaints should be submitted in writing to info@acamedicine.com. Please include the manuscript ID (if applicable), a clear explanation of the issue, and any supporting documentation. Complaints will be acknowledged within 10 business days.

Complaints are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated senior editorial board member. Investigations are conducted with impartiality and confidentiality. If further inquiry is required, the complainant will be updated throughout the process.

If a resolution cannot be reached through the journal's internal process and the journal is a COPE member, the complainant may contact COPE for advice or mediation. COPE does not arbitrate individual cases but may offer guidance within its advisory capacity.

Our journal upholds academic integrity and ethical publishing practices. The appeals process is designed in accordance with international guidelines including those of COPE, ICMJE, WAME, and the DOAJ Best Practice Guidelines. It aims to ensure fairness, transparency, and due process for authors wishing to contest editorial decisions.

Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe a significant error occurred in the review or decision-making process. Grounds for appeal include procedural flaws, potential bias, conflict of interest, or ethical concerns regarding peer review.

• Deadline: Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the editorial decision.
• Content: The appeal must include the manuscript ID, a detailed justification, and any relevant supporting documentation.
• Acknowledgment: Authors will receive written confirmation of receipt within 72 hours.

All appeals are reviewed within 2–4 weeks. A panel including the Editor-in-Chief and at least one uninvolved senior editorial board member will evaluate the appeal. If ethical concerns are raised (e.g., reviewer misconduct, data integrity), an internal ethics committee may be convened following COPE procedures. Final decisions are issued in writing and are binding. Only one appeal per manuscript is allowed.

In accordance with transparency principles recommended by COPE and DOAJ, the journal maintains an annual internal report summarizing the number and outcomes of appeals. This supports editorial quality improvement and policy accountability.

Manuscripts under appeal may not be submitted to another journal until a final decision is issued. Authors and reviewers are expected to refrain from public discussion of the case. All assigned reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest before participating in appeal re-evaluation.

This policy is permanently available on the journal website under the “Complaints Policy” section to ensure public accessibility and editorial transparency.

This process protects authors’ rights while safeguarding the scientific and ethical integrity of the publication process.