The Milli Egitim Journal is committed to transparency, impartiality, and the highest standards of academic ethics throughout the publication process. Authors, reviewers, and readers have the right to submit appeals or complaints concerning the review process or post-publication matters.

1. Appeal Procedure

An author may submit an appeal if they believe that the editorial decision regarding their manuscript is inconsistent with established scientific evaluation standards. Appeals must be based on scientific grounds; dissatisfaction with the decision alone does not constitute valid grounds for appeal.

The appeal process is conducted as follows:

1. The author submits their objection—supported with justification and evidence—to the editor via the DergiPark messaging system.
2. The objection is forwarded by the responsible editor to the Editorial Board for evaluation.
3. The Board re-examines the article and the decisions made during its review process, and implements one of the following actions:
       - If the objection is deemed valid, the article is reassigned to the review process and new reviewer(s) may be appointed if necessary,
       - If the rejection decision is considered appropriate, the author’s objection is dismissed.
4. The outcome of the objection is communicated to the author in writing through the DergiPark system.
5. In accordance with the principle of impartiality, the objection evaluation is carried out, as far as possible, by editor(s) different from those involved in the initial decision.

2. Complaint Procedure

The Milli Egitim Journal considers complaints related to the following issues:

• Alleged ethical violations, including plagiarism, data fabrication, or conflicts of interest,
• Suspected bias in peer review,
• Procedural irregularities in the editorial process,
• Significant errors in the content of published articles.

The complaint procedure is conducted as follows, in alignment with COPE guidelines:

• Complaints must be submitted in writing, with supporting evidence, via the DergiPark messaging system to the editor.
• The editor refers the complaint to the Ethics Committee / Editorial Board.
• The Board conducts an investigation consistent with COPE Ethical Flowcharts, which may include:
       - Requesting additional information, data, or explanation from the author,
       - Re-evaluating reviewer reports,
- Seeking independent expert opinion if necessary.
• If a violation is confirmed, appropriate corrective actions may include:
- Publication of a correction or erratum,
- Issuance of a formal warning,
- Retraction of the article,
- Notification of relevant institutions.

The outcome is communicated in writing to all parties, and the process is fully documented to ensure accountability and transparency.

3. Confidentiality and Impartiality

Confidentiality and impartiality are strictly maintained throughout all appeal and complaint procedures. The identities of all applicants are kept confidential and accessible only to authorized editors and board members. The review process is conducted independently of the individual, institution, or reviewer involved in the complaint, and decisions are based solely on objective evidence and academic assessment. All reports, documentation, and correspondence are archived, ensuring that final decisions are fully supported by verifiable evidence.

4. Communication Channels

All appeals and complaints must be submitted exclusively through the following channels:

• https://dergipark.org.tr/milliegitim → Send Message
• Journal contact → ttkb.egitimarastirmalari.med@meb.gov.tr

Complaints via telephone or social media are not considered official or valid.