Complaint Policy

The Complaints Policy serves as a crucial framework for addressing grievances regarding the policies, procedures, or actions taken by the editorial staff of the International Research Journal of Tamil. We recognize that complaints present a valuable opportunity for growth and enhancement in our publication processes. Our commitment is to respond promptly, courteously, and constructively to any expressed concerns.

Definition of a Complaint

We define a complaint with the following criteria:

Expression of Unhappiness: The complainant is articulating an experience of displeasure or discontent.
Perception of Failure: The complaint indicates that the complainant believes there has been a failure in the process—this could involve prolonged delays, unprofessional responses, or other significant misjudgments.
Scope of Responsibility: The issue raised must pertain to matters that fall within the purview of the International Research Journal of Tamil, specifically related to content or the processes we uphold.

Recognized Complaints

We acknowledge a variety of issues that may arise, including but not limited to:

Authorship Complaints: Disputes related to crediting authorship.
Plagiarism Complaints: Allegations of the inappropriate appropriation of another’s work.
Multiple, Duplicate, Concurrent Publication/Simultaneous Submission: Concerns over publishing the same research in multiple venues concurrently.
Research Results Misappropriation: Claims regarding the misuse of research findings.
Allegations of Research Errors and Fraud: Serious assertions questioning the integrity of the research published.
Research Standards Violations: Issues regarding adherence to established research protocols and ethical guidelines.
Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Complaints about potential bias due to undisclosed relationships.
Reviewer Bias or Competitive Harmful Acts: Allegations against reviewers for unfair practices that may harm the author's work.

Policy for Handling Complaints

In the event that the Journal receives a complaint claiming that any contribution infringes upon intellectual property rights or contains material inaccuracies, libelous content, or other unlawful materials, the following steps will be taken:

Investigation Initiation: The Journal will investigate the complaint thoroughly.
Substantiation Request: We may request that the parties involved present evidence to support their claims.
Determination of Action: A good faith effort will be made to assess whether the allegedly wrongful material should be removed. This decision will be based on the Journal’s evaluation of the complaint's foundation—whether it lacks sufficient grounding or, if substantiated, if any legal defenses or exemptions may apply (for example, in cases involving statements that can be defended under the umbrella of truthfulness in libel claims).
Documentation: The Journal will meticulously document the investigation process and the final decision.

Our goal is to ensure that the International Research Journal of Tamil maintains the highest standards of quality and is free from errors. That said, we do acknowledge that mistakes may occasionally occur.

Editorial Complaints Policy

The Editorial Team of the International Research Journal of Tamil is dedicated to addressing any concerns raised by authors and readers promptly and in an appropriate manner. We aim to:

Resolve Issues Quickly: Take swift action to address and correct any reported issues.
Right of Reply: Ensure that all parties have the opportunity to express their perspectives regarding any complaint.
Investigative Approach: Conduct investigations in a manner that is devoid of blame, focusing instead on learning and improvement to systems to prevent recurrence of similar issues in the future.

By adhering to this comprehensive Complaints Policy, we uphold our commitment to transparency, accountability, and quality in our publication practices. Feedback and concerns from our community are invaluable to fostering an environment of integrity and excellence