Peer Review Process

International Journal of Medical Reviews (IJMR) accepts all types of review articles report novel findings, which could result in impacts on medical sciences. Quality and topic of submitted manuscript beside the priority of research field are the least considered criteria in each manuscript before entering in formal review process. Any type of submissions containing scientific information necessitates review process to ensure content quality. Technical editor checks the format and style of manuscript prior to review process to assure its compatibility with IJMR’s guidelines for authors. Checking compatibility continues in whole of the review process and publication. In cases when the authors have not considered the guidelines, the manuscript will be sent back to the authors for compatibility. Each submitted manuscript will be considered by the editor-in-chief or one of associate editors in the editorial board. If it meets the minimum criteria to be included in review process, one of the editors (topic expert) selects at least two external reviewers for detailed evaluation process. Selection of reviewers is based on their scientific background and experience, previous works, authors’ suggestion, and expertise.

Reviewers promise to undertake the confidentiality of materials previous to ePublication. In the review process of IJMR, reviewers stay anonymous, but authors’ names are declared to reviewers. Also, authors could suggest reviewers for their manuscript. Editor receives the reviewers’ comments and sends them along with decision letter to corresponding author. Final decision on each manuscript will be made by the assigned editor of the manuscript. As IJMR is a rapid response journal, so this process takes not more than three weeks.

Decision letter determines the status of manuscript in five ways:

  1. Acceptance: The manuscript could be ePublished. This process lasts two weeks. Before ePublication, corresponding author could verify a proof copy of the paper. After ePublication, paper will be in a queue to be published in one of IJMR upcoming issues.
  2. Minor revises: Authors will receive comments upon their manuscript, at which point the authors will be asked to submit a revised copy beside cover letter showing authors’ rejoinders, and also a marked copy Microsoft Word Documents. Revised manuscript should be submitted in one month after decision letter. Unless, authors need to go through a resubmission process.
  3. Major revises: It means a chance to reorganize the manuscript to meet the required scientific criteria for another review process. Authors should pay more attention to reviewers’ comments and focus on their highlighted points. Editor may/may not request the authors to resubmit their revised manuscript beside cover letter and a marked copy. Revised manuscript should be submitted in one month after decision letter. Otherwise, authors need to go through a resubmission process.
  4. Reject: In most cases, methodological and scientific concerns are the main origins of rejection. Causes of rejection will be sent to the authors to provide more chance for them for publication in other journals.
  5. Withdraw: If the manuscript does not meet the scopes of IJMR, it will be withdrawn with suggestion to be sent to another journal. In cases that concerns arise during review process about statistical test, methodology or techniques applied in manuscript, editor may request independent internal/external experts to comment before final decisions.

As the final point, we strongly suggest authors to observe research and publication ethics in their manuscript, as reporting of any unethical issue during steps of review may lead to the rejection of the work by IJMR. Also, the authors should consider that they are in the charge of all materials (scientific and ethical) that they provide in their articles. All of editors and reviewers of IJMR do their utmost to keep the quality of disseminated scientific works to ensure the solid impact of papers on applied biotechnology fields. In IJMR, the review process lasts maximum one month.