Peer Review Process

Rokhan Medical Science Journal (RMSJ) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the highest standards of scientific accuracy, originality, and relevance. The identities of both authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process to promote unbiased and fair evaluations.

1. Submission and Initial Screening

• Upon submission, all manuscripts are screened by the Editorial Office for compliance with the journal’s formatting, ethical, and scope requirements.
• Submissions that fail to meet the basic criteria (e.g., plagiarism, formatting issues, off-topic content) are returned to the authors without further review.
• Manuscripts passing the initial screening are forwarded to the Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor for evaluation.

2. Assignment to Reviewers

• The Editor assigns the manuscript to two or more independent expert reviewers with relevant subject matter expertise.
• RMSJ uses a double-blind review model: reviewers do not know the identity of the authors, and vice versa.
• Reviewers are selected based on their publication history, area of specialization, and absence of conflicts of interest.

3. Review Process

• Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript based on:

Originality and scientific significance

Methodological soundness

Clarity and coherence

Ethical compliance

Accuracy of data and references

• Reviewers provide one of the following recommendations:

Accept

Minor revision

Major revision

Reject

• The average review time is 1–2 weeks, although delays may occur depending on the availability of reviewers.

4. Editorial Decision

• Based on the reviewers’ comments and recommendations, the Editor makes a decision:

Accept as is

Request revisions (minor or major)

Reject the manuscript

• The editorial decision, along with anonymized reviewer feedback, is communicated to the corresponding author.

5. Revision and Resubmission

• Authors are given a specific timeframe (usually 1–2 weeks) to revise and resubmit the manuscript.
• Revised submissions may be sent back to the original reviewers for re-evaluation.
• The final decision rests with the Editor, who may accept the revised manuscript, request further changes, or reject it.

6. Final Acceptance and Publication

• Once accepted, the manuscript undergoes:

            Copyediting for clarity and language

Typesetting and formatting

Author proofing

• After final approval, the article is published online in the upcoming issue of RMSJ and assigned a DOI (Digital Object Identifier).

7. Reviewer Recognition

• RMSJ appreciates the voluntary contribution of peer reviewers. Certificates of reviewing and acknowledgment letters can be provided upon request.
• Reviewer names are not disclosed unless they consent to be listed in annual reviewer acknowledgments.

8. Appeals and Complaints

• Authors who disagree with the editorial decision may appeal by submitting a detailed explanation.
• Appeals are reviewed by a senior editorial board member or an independent reviewer.
• All complaints are handled confidentially and in accordance with COPE guidelines.