Complaint and Appeal Process

The African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) workflow defines clear, proportionate, and time-bound procedures for handling complaints and appeals in accordance with international best practices in scholarly publishing. These processes are outlined in stages

Stage 1: Submission of Complaint
Timeline: Day 0

Complaints must be submitted in writing via the official AJOMENA contact email, complaint@nimenajournals.com or online submission system. Complaints must include sufficient details and supporting evidence where applicable.

Stage 2: Acknowledgement of Complaint 
Timeline: Within 5 working days

AJOMENA acknowledges receipt of the complaint. The acknowledgement confirms the scope and outlines the review process and timelines.

Stage 3: Initial Assessment 
Timeline: Within 10 working days of acknowledgement

The Editor-in-Chief or a delegated senior editor determines whether the complaint:
Falls within the journal’s remit. Contains sufficient information for assessment
Requires immediate action due to seriousness or ethical implications. Complaints outside the journal’s scope are closed at this stage with a written explanation.

Stage 4: Investigation 
Timeline: Completed within 20 working days
(Up to 30 working days for complex ethical cases)

Editorial or administrative complaints are handled internally. Ethical complaints are investigated in accordance with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. Independent Editorial Board members or external experts without conflicts of interest may be consulted. All relevant parties are allowed to respond.

Stage 5: Complaint Decision and Notification 
Timeline: Within 5 working days of the conclusion of the investigation

AJOMENA communicates the decision and its rationale in writing. Outcomes may include clarification, correction, retraction, expression of concern, policy revision, or disciplinary action.

Stage 6: Right to Appeal 
Timeline to submit appeal: Within 14 days of notification

Appeals must be submitted in writing and clearly state valid grounds, such as:
Procedural or factual error; Bias or conflict of interest; Failure to follow stated journal policies; and New and material evidence

Stage 7: Acknowledgement of Appeal 
Timeline: Within 5 working days

AJOMENA confirms receipt of the appeal and whether it meets the criteria for review.

Stage 8: Appeal Review 
Timeline: Completed within 15 working days
(Up to 20 working days for complex cases)

Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or a senior editor not involved in the original decision. Independent Editorial Board members or external experts without conflicts of interest may be consulted. Appeals focus strictly on procedural fairness and policy compliance.

Stage 9: Final Appeal Decision and Notification 
Timeline: Within 5 working days of appeal review

The final decision and reasons are communicated in writing.
Appeal decisions are final and binding.

Stage 10: Record Keeping and Oversight 
Timeline: Ongoing

AJOMENA maintains secure records of all complaints, appeals, investigations, and outcomes. Records are retained to demonstrate accountability, transparency, and compliance during audits and indexing evaluations.

Summary Timeline 

Complaint acknowledgement: within 5 working days
Complaint resolution: within 30 working days (up to 40 for complex ethical cases)
Appeal submission window: 14 days
Appeal resolution: within 25 working days

AJOMENA is committed to prompt, fair, and transparent handling of complaints and appeals, in line with COPE Core Practices, DOAJ Principles of Transparency, and Web of Science editorial evaluation criteria.