If authors believe their manuscript was reviewed unfairly, what is the most appropriate course of action?

Contacting the editor with concerns about an unfair review is the most appropriate course of action for authors who feel their manuscript has not been evaluated fairly. The editor serves as the intermediary between the authors and the peer reviewers, and they are responsible for ensuring a fair review process. By reaching out to the editor, authors can provide specific reasons for their belief that the review was unfair, potentially allowing the editor to address these concerns.

This approach maintains professionalism and encourages constructive communication, which is crucial in the academic publication process. It offers an opportunity for the authors to clarify misunderstandings or biases that may have affected the review outcome, leading to a more equitable evaluation of their work.

Other options, such as requesting a retraction, publicly criticizing the reviewers, or immediately submitting a new manuscript, do not address the issue at hand effectively. Retraction is typically reserved for significant ethical issues, public criticism could damage professional relationships, and rushing to submit a new manuscript does not resolve the underlying concerns about the review process.