Peer-Review process

Overview

The peer review process is a cornerstone of publishing scientific articles in academic medical journals. It ensures that published papers adhere to rigorous standards of quality, accuracy, and relevance, meeting established scientific and ethical criteria. The process unfolds in the following steps:

  1. Submission and Initial Screening: Upon manuscript submission, the editorial team conducts a preliminary review to confirm alignment with the journal's scope, standards, and basic quality requirements. Papers not meeting these criteria are rejected at this stage, focusing on subject relevance, ethical compliance, and editorial quality.

  2. Reviewer Assignment: Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to one or more reviewers, experts in the relevant field. These reviewers, selected for their expertise and subject matter knowledge, provide an unbiased and thorough evaluation.

  3. Peer Review: Reviewers critically examine the manuscript's methodology, validity of results, originality, significance, and contribution to the medical field. They also verify that the references are current and relevant. Reviewers provide detailed feedback, which may lead to acceptance, a request for revisions (minor or major), or rejection. The process, typically completed within 1–2 weeks, is double-blinded to minimize conflicts of interest and ensure fairness.

  4. Editorial Decision: The editor considers reviewers’ feedback to make a final decision. The manuscript may be accepted, returned for revisions, or rejected. Revised submissions may undergo additional rounds of peer review before a final decision is made.

  5. Editing and Publication: Accepted manuscripts undergo final editing, including proofreading and formatting. Authors review and approve the final proofs before publication. The article is then made accessible to the scientific and medical community.

  6. Ethical Standards and Transparency: The peer review process maintains strict confidentiality and adheres to ethical guidelines. Conflicts of interest are carefully managed to preserve the integrity of the process.

Special Cases: Manuscripts Submitted by Journal Editors
When a journal editor submits an article to their own journal, additional measures are taken to ensure impartiality and transparency. A guest editor or independent senior editor, with no ties to the submitting editor, oversees the process. The manuscript is subjected to the same rigorous standards, including a double-blind or single-blind review by independent experts. Final decisions rest with the guest editor. The entire process is documented to align with ethical standards, such as those outlined by COPE, maintaining the journal’s credibility and fairness.

This structured peer review process ensures that only the highest-quality scientific work is published, fostering advancements in medical knowledge.