Editorial Policies

On this page, you will find information about the following editorial policies:

For details on Open Access Policy; License and Permission; Copyright; Embargo Policy; Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted Technology; Author Fees and Payment Policy; Digital Archiving and Preservation; and Statement on Accuracy and Responsibility, please visit the Publication Policies page.

For more on ethical considerations, such as Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement; Research Involving Human and Animal Subjects; Process for Identification of and Dealing with Allegations of Research Misconduct; and Withdrawal, Correction, and Retraction Policy, please refer to our Ethics and Integrity page.

 

Aim and Scope

Journal of Public Health Sciences (JPHS) is an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to publishing original, high-quality research across all areas of public health science and practice. Serving as a platform for academic exchange, it enables scientists and researchers to stay informed on current trends and access valuable resources. Key subject areas include, but are not limited to: public health practice, epidemiology, health promotion, health service effectiveness, public health governance, disease prevention, and program evaluation.

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Peer Review Process

Initial Screening

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial screening by the editorial assistant to ensure compliance with the journal’s basic standards. The following criteria are assessed:

  1. The manuscript must fall within the journal’s scope.
  2. The content should demonstrate acceptable academic quality.
  3. The manuscript must adhere to the journal’s author guidelines.
  4. The title should be concise (no more than 20 words).
  5. Full names and complete affiliations (Department, Faculty, University, City, Zip Code, and State) must be provided for all authors.
  6. An abstract of 200–350 words should succinctly capture the manuscript’s essence.
  7. A list of 3–10 keywords is required for indexing purposes.
  8. The manuscript should be clearly structured, preferably following the order: Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Acknowledgments, Appendices, and References should follow if applicable.
  9. References must be numbered sequentially in the text and listed in the same order in the reference section. A minimum of eight references is recommended.
  10. All citations must follow the journal’s specified style.
  11. Figures and tables must be relevant, of high resolution, and clearly presented.
  12. Each figure must have a sequential number and an appropriate caption.
  13. Each table must have a sequential number and a clear, explanatory title.
  14. Equations must be prepared using MS Word’s equation editor or MathType.
  15. Manuscripts should be between 5–20 pages in a single-column format (approximately 3000–10000 words, inclusive of references).
  16. Manuscripts must be written in clear and fluent English.

Following the initial screening, the editorial office will decide whether to:

  • Proceed with the peer review process (single or double-blind - Editor's discretion),

  • Request preliminary revisions before review, or

  • Reject the manuscript.

Peer Review

The journal follows a single or double-blind peer review process, determined at the Editor's discretion. Typically, a single-blind review is used, but a double-blind review may be initiated if necessary. Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are reviewed by at least two or three independent experts and the Editor. Reviewers assess submissions based on originality, technical quality, clarity, and relevance. Feedback is communicated through the editorial assistant, and direct contact between authors and reviewers is not permitted.

Review Outcomes

The Editor will make the decision based on reviewer feedback. Possible decisions include:

  • Reject: Manuscripts will not be published in their current form. The Editor may encourage authors to resubmit the manuscript or may forbid resubmission.

  • Revision Required: Manuscripts require revisions (major or minor) and will be reviewed again after modifications.

  • Accept: Manuscripts will be published in the current form, with no revisions required.

Revision after Peer Review

Authors are expected to revise their manuscript in response to reviewer comments and submit a cover letter detailing the revisions and addressing all concerns. Revised manuscripts should clearly highlight changes. Depending on the extent of revisions, the editor may conduct further review or make a final decision based on their expertise.

Acceptance Letters

Once a manuscript meets all academic and editorial standards, it will be formally accepted. Acceptance notifications are sent to the corresponding author.

Proofreading

All accepted manuscripts undergo final proofreading by the editorial team. Authors will receive page proofs for final verification before publication. If no response is received, the proof may be considered the final version.

Publication Notification

Once the article is published online, the corresponding author will receive a notification with a link to the published version. Authors are also notified when their article appears in a regular/special issue.

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Appeals Process

Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision must contact the editorial office via email at editor@journal.iistr.org, providing a detailed explanation of their concerns and the grounds for the appeal. Appeals will be considered only if there is a substantial indication of a significant error, bias, or compromised objectivity by the reviewer or editor—particularly in cases involving a documented competing interest.

During the appeal process, the manuscript remains under formal consideration and must not be submitted elsewhere. Appeals are typically processed within 30 working days.

The editorial office at IISTR will make a final decision on all appeals. Second appeals will not be considered. If the appeal is unsuccessful and the manuscript is formally closed, authors may then submit the work to another publication.

Appeals related to published materials will only be accepted within 12 months of the initial editorial decision.

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Plagiarism Policy

It is essential for every author to adhere to the ethical principles outlined in the journal’s guidelines. Authors must avoid submitting the same work to multiple venues, copying the work of others, or reusing their own previously published material without proper citation. All submitted manuscripts will be screened for plagiarism using the iThenticate plagiarism detection software. Although similarity percentages are not the sole determinant of plagiarism, the maximum overall similarity is expected to be less than 15%, with each individual source contributing no more than 3%. If plagiarism is detected, the submission will be rejected, and the author will be barred from making future submissions. Any instance of suspected plagiarism will be handled according to a specific procedure established by the journal.

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