Reviewers Policies

Peer Review and Reviewer Responsibilities Policy
The IOASD Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences is dedicated to maintaining high standards of scholarly publishing through a rigorous, transparent, and ethical peer review system. The journal follows internationally accepted publication ethics and review practices to ensure the quality, originality, and scientific integrity of all published research.

Peer Review Process
All manuscripts submitted to IOASDJMPS undergo an initial editorial assessment before being considered for external review. During this preliminary screening, the editorial office evaluates manuscripts for:

·       Relevance to the journal’s scope and objectives,

·       Originality and academic significance,

·       Compliance with submission and formatting guidelines,

·       Ethical compliance and research integrity, and

·       Overall scientific quality.

Manuscripts that do not satisfy the journal’s minimum standards may be declined at the editorial screening stage without external peer review. This process helps ensure timely decisions and allows authors to seek alternative publication opportunities when appropriate.

Submissions that successfully pass the initial assessment are forwarded for peer review. The journal primarily follows a double-blind peer review model, in which the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the evaluation process.

Each manuscript is generally reviewed by at least two independent experts with relevant subject expertise. Reviewers are invited based on their academic qualifications, research experience, and professional competence in the manuscript’s area of study.

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts on the basis of:

·       Scientific merit and methodological soundness,

·       Novelty and contribution to the field,

·       Accuracy and validity of results,

·       Clarity of objectives, analysis, and conclusions,

·       Quality and relevance of references,

·       Ethical standards and research compliance, and

·       Overall organization and language quality.

Based on reviewer reports and editorial assessment, manuscripts may be accepted, returned for revision, or rejected. The Editor-in-Chief retains full authority regarding all final publication decisions.

Confidentiality in Peer Review
IOASDJMPS treats all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must not disclose, discuss, or distribute manuscript content outside the official review process.

Reviewer identities remain confidential unless disclosure is specifically approved by the journal and the reviewer concerned. Likewise, unpublished materials obtained through peer review must not be used for personal, academic, or financial advantage.

Reviewer Responsibilities
Reviewers play a central role in preserving the academic integrity and quality of the journal. Individuals invited to review manuscripts are expected to conduct evaluations professionally, objectively, and ethically.

Reviewers are expected to:

·       Accept review assignments only within their area of expertise,

·       Inform the editorial office promptly if they are unable to complete the review,

·       Disclose any potential conflicts of interest,

·       Evaluate manuscripts objectively and fairly,

·       Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all review materials,

·       Provide clear, constructive, and evidence-based comments,

·       Identify relevant literature not cited by the authors where appropriate,

·       Notify editors of suspected plagiarism, duplicate submission, data fabrication, or ethical misconduct, and

·       Refrain from using unpublished information for personal benefit.

Reviews should focus on the scholarly quality and scientific validity of the manuscript rather than personal opinions regarding the authors or their affiliations.

Ethical Standards for Reviewers
Reviewers must avoid personal criticism and ensure that comments are respectful, professional, and academically constructive. Recommendations should be supported with clear reasoning and relevant scholarly justification.

A reviewer must decline participation if:

·       The manuscript falls outside their expertise,

·       A conflict of interest exists,

·       Timely review cannot be completed, or

·       Objectivity may be compromised in any manner.

Reviewers must not delegate the review process to another individual without prior approval from the editorial office.

Review Integrity and Research Ethics
IOASDJMPS is committed to protecting the integrity of scholarly communication. Manuscripts suspected of plagiarism, falsification, fabrication, duplicate publication, citation manipulation, or unethical research practices may be rejected or subjected to further ethical investigation.

The journal reserves the right to request clarifications, ethical approvals, raw data, or supporting documentation where necessary to verify the integrity and authenticity of submitted research.

Revisions and Author Response
Authors may be requested to revise manuscripts in response to reviewer comments and editorial recommendations. Revised submissions should address all review points clearly and systematically.

Acceptance of a revised manuscript depends upon satisfactory responses to reviewer and editorial concerns and does not guarantee publication until the final editorial decision is issued.

Publication Ethics Commitment
IOASDJMPS expects authors, reviewers, and editors to adhere to recognized standards of publication ethics and professional conduct. The journal supports responsible research dissemination and promotes fairness, transparency, and academic accountability throughout the publication process.