Complaints and Appeals Policy

IPMM considers complaints about its editorial processes, published content and the conduct of people acting for the journal. Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they identify a material procedural error or a substantive factual or methodological point that the decision did not adequately address. Disagreement with an assessment alone does not guarantee a new review or a different outcome.

How to submit a concern

Send a written complaint or appeal to the Editorial Office at editor@invasivephysiotherapy.com. Identify the manuscript or article, describe the concern and the outcome sought, and provide relevant evidence or correspondence. An appeal should explain the specific grounds for reconsideration and address the reasons given in the decision. Concerns may be submitted after publication as well as during peer review.

Assessment and independence

The Editor-in-Chief, or an editor with no involvement in the matter, acknowledges and assesses the concern, reviews the relevant record and may request information from authors, reviewers or other parties. A person whose conduct or decision is challenged does not decide the outcome. If the Editor-in-Chief has a conflict, an uninvolved editor or independent adviser handles the assessment. The journal protects confidentiality as far as reasonably possible while giving affected parties an opportunity to respond.

Resolution

The journal communicates a reasoned outcome in writing. Depending on the evidence, it may uphold the original decision, reopen assessment, seek an additional independent review, correct the record, refer the matter to the relevant research integrity process or take another proportionate step. An appeal does not by itself suspend a decision or oblige IPMM to publish a manuscript. Reconsideration of an appeal outcome requires new evidence or a significant procedural defect.

Record keeping

IPMM records the concern, steps taken, conflicts managed and final response. Post-publication matters that affect reliability are handled under the Research Misconduct Policy and the Corrections, Retractions and Withdrawals Policy.