Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences adheres to ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) recommendations implementing a robust peer review policy that emphasizes transparency, objectivity and confidentiality. Key aspects include reviewer selection based on expertise and lack of conflict of interest, clear guidelines for reviewers on ethical conduct and evaluation criteria, and a commitment to protecting the confidentiality of the review process.

Details:

1. Reviewer selection and conflicts of interest:

• Expertise: Reviewers should be selected based on their relevant expertise and knowledge of the subject matter of the manuscript.
• Independence: Reviewers should be independent of the authors and not have any competing interests that could bias their evaluation.
• Disclosure: Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including financial or personal relationships, that could affect their objectivity.
• Recusal: Reviewers should recuse themselves from reviewing manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists or is perceived.

2. Reviewer responsibilities and conduct:

• Impartiality: Reviewers should evaluate manuscripts based on their scientific merit, originality, and quality of writing, without regard to the authors' race, ethnicity, sex, religion, or citizenship.
• Confidentiality: Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and its contents, and not use the information for their own benefit or disclose it to others.
• Timeliness: Reviewers should complete their reviews within the designated timeframe to ensure timely publication of the manuscript.
• Constructive feedback: Reviewers should provide constructive and specific feedback to the authors, helping them to improve their work.
• Disclosure of potential misconduct: If a reviewer suspects any form of research misconduct (e.g., fabrication, falsification, plagiarism), they should report it to the editor.

3. Journal responsibilities:

• Transparency: Journals should have a clear and transparent peer review policy, outlining the process and criteria for evaluation.
• Anonymity: Journals may choose to implement a single-blind or double-blind peer review process, but should clearly state their policy.
• Confidentiality: Journals must protect the confidentiality of the peer review process and the identity of reviewers, unless there is a breach of ethics or fraud.
• Editorial oversight: The editor or editorial board is ultimately responsible for making decisions about manuscript acceptance or rejection.
• Record-keeping: Journals should maintain records of the peer review process, including reviewer comments and revisions, for a specified period.
• Communication: Editors should communicate decisions and reviewer feedback to authors in a timely and constructive manner.

4. Authors' responsibilities:

• Transparency and disclosure: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and ensure the accuracy and integrity of their work.
• Compliance with guidelines: Authors should adhere to the journal's guidelines for submission and publication.
• Responsiveness: Authors should be responsive to editorial queries and reviewer feedback.

By adhering to these principles, journals can ensure the integrity and quality of the peer review process, leading to the publication of sound and reliable research.