Complaints Handling Procedure

The editorial board of the journal “South Ukrainian Art Studios” recognizes the importance of maintaining high standards of academic integrity. All complaints and reports of potential violations of publication ethics are considered in accordance with the principles of transparency, objectivity, confidentiality, and compliance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The editorial board considers complaints related to:

- plagiarism;

- data falsification or fabrication;

- duplicate or multiple publication;

- inappropriate authorship (exclusion or inclusion of authors without consent);

- violations of the peer review process;

- undisclosed conflicts of interest;

- unethical behavior on the part of authors, reviewers, or editors.

Complaints must be submitted in writing to the official email address of the editorial office. The submission should include:

- a clear description of the complaint;

- names or identifying information of the persons involved;

- specific evidence or references to sources;

- contact details of the complainant (anonymous submissions may be considered if sufficient evidence is provided).

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Editor-in-Chief or an authorized member of the editorial board conducts a preliminary assessment within 10 working days. If necessary, the complainant may be asked to provide additional information.

If the complaint is deemed substantiated, an internal investigation is initiated. The investigation is conducted by the editorial board, with the involvement of independent experts if required. Individuals concerned have the right to provide written explanations. All parties are given equal opportunity to be heard.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the following actions may be taken:

- correction of the article;

- publication of a statement of concern or article retraction;

- notification of the author’s affiliated institution;

- prohibition of future submissions to the journal for a specified period;

- other measures in accordance with COPE standards.

Individuals concerned have the right to submit a reasoned objection or appeal against the editorial decision. A reconsideration is carried out with the involvement of independent experts who were not part of the initial process. All complaints and related decisions are documented and archived by the editorial office. These records may be used to improve editorial policies and prevent similar cases in the future.