Editorial policies
Journal of Biology and Health Science follows a rigorous, fair and transparent editorial workflow to ensure the publication of high-quality research. The journal adopts a double-blind peer-review system, where both the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process. Final publication decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief or assigned editorial board members.
Stage 1: Submission and Initial Screening
All manuscripts undergo a preliminary evaluation before being sent for peer review. This stage is typically completed within 2 working days.
- Acknowledgment of Submission
Authors receive a confirmation email upon submission along with a unique manuscript ID for tracking.
- Scope and Formatting Check
The editorial office verifies that the manuscript:
- Falls within the journal’s scope
- Follows author guidelines
- Contains all required sections
Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be rejected at this stage.
- Anonymization Check
To maintain the integrity of the double-blind process:
- Author names, affiliations and identifying details must be removed
- Self-referencing should be written in a neutral manner
Manuscripts that fail to meet anonymization standards may be returned for correction.
- Plagiarism Screening
All submissions are checked using plagiarism detection tools. Manuscripts exceeding acceptable similarity thresholds may be rejected or returned for revision.
- Ethical Compliance Verification
Authors must provide:
- Conflict of Interest statement
- Ethical approval (if applicable)
- Data availability statement
- Author contribution details
- AI usage disclosure (if applicable)
Stage 2: Editorial Assignment
This stage is completed within 2-3 working days.
- Handling Editor Assignment
The Editor-in-Chief assigns the manuscript to a handling editor with subject expertise.
- Reviewer Selection
The handling editor selects at least 2–3 independent reviewers based on expertise and ensures no conflicts of interest. Reviewer identities remain confidential.
Stage 3: Double-Blind Peer Review
- Review Process
Under the double-blind system:
- Reviewers do not know the authors’ identities
- Authors do not know the reviewers’ identities
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on:
- Originality and significance
- Scientific rigor and methodology
- Clarity of presentation
- Ethical standards
- Relevance to the journal
- Reviewer Recommendations
Reviewers provide one of the following decisions:
- Accept
- Minor Revision
- Major Revision
- Reject
- Conflict Resolution
If reviewer opinions differ significantly, the editor may:
- Assign an additional reviewer or
- Make a decision based on editorial judgment
Reviewers are expected to submit reports within 7 days.
Stage 4: Editorial Decision
Authors are typically notified within 2 days of submission.
Decision Outcomes
- Accept – Manuscript is approved
- Minor Revision – Small changes required
- Major Revision – Significant improvements needed
- Reject – Manuscript does not meet standards
Revision Policy
- Authors must submit a detailed response to reviewer comments
- Revised manuscripts should highlight all changes
- Usually, up to two rounds of revision are permitted
Stage 5: Production and Publication
- Acceptance Notification
Authors receive an official acceptance letter.
- Copyediting and Formatting
The manuscript undergoes professional editing and typesetting.
- Proof Correction
Authors review proofs and respond within 48 hours. Only minor corrections are allowed.
- Online Publication
Accepted articles are published online with a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for permanent access.
- Indexing and Archiving
Articles are indexed in relevant databases and archived for long-term preservation.
Stage 6: Appeals Process
Authors may appeal editorial decisions under justified circumstances.
Grounds for Appeal
- Reviewer bias or conflict of interest
- Errors in evaluation
- Procedural issues
Appeal Procedure
- Submit appeal within 21days
- Independent reassessment may be conducted
- Final decision is communicated within 21 days
Timeline Overview
|
Stage |
Activity |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Screening |
Compliance checks |
2 days |
|
Editor Assignment |
Reviewer invitation |
2 days |
|
Peer Review |
Evaluation |
7 days |
|
Decision |
Editorial outcome |
2 days |
|
Revision |
Author updates |
5 days (if required within cycle) |
|
Publication |
Final processing |
3 days (post-acceptance, expedited) |
Key Highlights
- Double-blind peer review ensuring impartial evaluation
- Strict ethical and plagiarism checks
- Structured and transparent editorial workflow
- Efficient turnaround time
- Global accessibility through online publication