1. Scope of Complaints

FJHS defines a complaint as a formal expression of dissatisfaction concerning editorial processes, decisions, or published content. Valid complaints may include:

• Unreasonable delays in the editorial or peer-review process
• Discourteous or unprofessional communication
• Procedural lapses or ethical concerns
• Issues relating to authorship, conflicts of interest, or research integrity

Disagreement with an editorial decision will not, in itself, be considered a complaint unless it is supported by evidence of procedural failure.

2. Submission of Complaints

Complaints must be submitted in writing via email to:

FJHS@fmc.au.edu.pk

The complaint should clearly state:

• The nature and details of the concern
• Relevant manuscript details, where applicable
• Any supporting documentation or evidence

3. Complaint Handling Procedure

• Acknowledgment: All complaints will be acknowledged within five working days.
• Initial Review: The editorial team will review the complaint and aim to provide a definitive response within two weeks.
• Escalation: If the matter remains unresolved, it will be referred to the Editor-in-Chief. The decision of the Editor-in-Chief will be considered final.
• Transparency: Where resolution requires additional time, interim updates will be provided to the complainant.

4. Allegations of Publication Misconduct

FJHS follows the guidelines of the Institutional Ethical Review Board when addressing allegations of publication misconduct. Publication misconduct includes:

• Plagiarism
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Duplicate or redundant publication
• Misleading reporting or referencing
• Undeclared conflicts of interest
• Authorship disputes
• Ethical violations in research or peer review

5. Investigation and Remedial Action

• Upon receipt of credible evidence of potential misconduct, the corresponding author will be contacted and asked to provide clarification.
• If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate remedial action will be taken, which may include correction, retraction, or withdrawal of the manuscript.
• A retraction notice will be published both online and in print.
• Authors found responsible for publication misconduct may be barred from submitting manuscripts to FJHS in the future, and their affiliated institution may be notified.

6. Consultation with External Experts

Where a complaint or allegation involves complex ethical, methodological, scientific, or publication-related issues, FJHS may seek advice from an independent external expert or an appropriate professional or institutional body.

• External experts may be consulted to provide an impartial assessment of the matter and assist the Editorial Team in reaching an informed decision.
• External consultation will be conducted with due regard to confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and the protection of personal and manuscript-related information.
• The Editor-in-Chief will determine whether external consultation is necessary and will consider the advice received when making a final decision.
• Seeking external expert advice will not affect the confidentiality of the complaint or compromise the independence of the editorial decision-making process.

7. Archiving and Record-Keeping of Complaints

FJHS will maintain a confidential record of all complaints received, including the nature of the complaint, relevant correspondence, supporting documentation, actions taken, and the final outcome.

• Complaint records will be securely maintained by the Editorial Office for regulatory requirements.
• Access to complaint records will be restricted to authorized editorial personnel and others directly involved in the investigation or resolution of the matter.
• Records will be handled confidentially and will not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals or external parties unless required for investigation, institutional review, legal compliance, or other legitimate purposes.

8. Ethical Commitment

All contributors, authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to uphold the highest standards of publication ethics.