Peer Review Process
The International Journal of Health Sciences (IJHS) is committed to a rigorous, fair, and transparent peer review process that ensures the scientific quality, integrity, and relevance of all published content.
All manuscripts submitted to IJHS undergo double-blind peer review, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed from each other throughout the review process.
Overview of the Review Process
1. Initial Editorial Assessment
Upon submission, each manuscript is reviewed by the editorial office and the handling editor to assess:
- relevance to the journal’s aims and scope;
- compliance with author guidelines;
- completeness of required documentation;
- originality, including plagiarism screening.
Manuscripts that do not meet these baseline requirements may be returned to authors without external peer review.
2. External Double-Blind Peer Review
Manuscripts passing initial assessment are assigned to at least two independent external reviewers with relevant subject expertise. Reviewers are selected based on scientific competence, absence of conflicts of interest, and availability.
In cases of substantial disagreement between reviewers, an additional reviewer may be invited.
3. Reviewer Evaluation
Reviewers are asked to provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based assessments addressing:
- scientific validity and methodological rigor;
- originality and importance of the work;
- ethical compliance;
- clarity and completeness of reporting;
- appropriateness for the journal’s readership.
Reviewers submit confidential comments to the editor and separate comments intended for authors.
4. Editorial Decision
Based on reviewer reports and editorial judgment, the handling editor will reach one of the following decisions:
- Accept;
- Minor Revision;
- Major Revision;
- Reject.
The Editor-in-Chief retains final responsibility for editorial decisions.
5. Revision and Re-Review
When revisions are requested, authors must submit:
- a revised manuscript; and
- a detailed, point-by-point response to reviewer and editor comments.
Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers to confirm that concerns have been adequately addressed.
6. Appeals
Authors who believe a decision was based on a significant procedural or factual error may submit a formal appeal to the editorial office. Appeals are assessed by an editor who was not involved in the original decision. Decisions following an appeal are final.
Review Timelines
IJHS strives to provide timely decisions while maintaining review quality:
- Time to first decision: approximately 1–2 weeks
- Peer review duration: approximately 3–12 weeks (may vary by discipline)
- Acceptance to publication: approximately 30 days
These timelines may vary depending on reviewer availability and the complexity of the manuscript.
Editorial Board Submissions
Manuscripts submitted by members of the editorial board are handled with additional safeguards:
- the submitting editor has no involvement in editorial decisions for the manuscript;
- an independent editor oversees the review process; and
- external reviewers are used in all cases.
Ethical Standards in Peer Review
The peer review process at IJHS follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers. Reviewers and editors are required to:
- maintain confidentiality;
- declare conflicts of interest;
- conduct reviews objectively and without bias; and
- report any ethical concerns to the editor.
Post-Acceptance
All accepted manuscripts undergo professional copyediting and proofreading. Authors are required to review and approve proofs promptly. Once published, articles constitute the version of record and may only be amended through formal correction procedures in line with COPE guidance.
Transparency and Accountability
IJHS recognizes peer review as a collaborative process that improves the quality of scholarly communication. While reviewer recommendations are highly valued, final publication decisions rest with the editorial leadership, based on multiple independent assessments.