Editorial Policy

The Medical Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (MJPM&PH) is dedicated to publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research that advances knowledge and practice in preventive medicine, epidemiology, community health, health promotion, and global public health.

Our editorial policy is grounded in the principles of integrity, fairness, transparency, and independence, ensuring that all manuscripts are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit and relevance to the field, without bias or external influence.

MJPM&PH follows the ethical and editorial standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

---

1. Editorial Independence

• All editorial decisions are made independently of commercial, institutional, or political interests.

• Manuscripts are evaluated solely for their originality, scientific rigor, relevance to preventive medicine and public health, and adherence to ethical guidelines.

• Manuscripts submitted by editors will be assigned to an independent editor to avoid conflicts of interest.

---

2. Responsibilities of the Editorial Board

The Editorial Board ensures:

• Defining and maintaining the journal’s aims and scope.

• Ensuring an unbiased and rigorous peer review process.

• Promoting diversity and inclusion, reflecting global perspectives in preventive medicine and public health.

• Addressing ethical concerns and publication misconduct promptly and fairly, following COPE guidelines.

---

3. Editorial Process and Decision-Making

• Submissions are first screened for scope, quality, and ethical compliance.

• Suitable manuscripts are assigned to an Associate Editor or Section Editor, who manages the peer review process.

• The Editor-in-Chief or delegated senior editor makes the final publication decision, taking into account reviewer recommendations.

• Decisions may result in:

  • Acceptance

  • Minor Revision

  • Major Revision

  • Rejection

---

4. Confidentiality

• All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents.

• Information is shared only with editors, reviewers, and editorial staff directly involved in the review and publication process.

---

5. Conflict of Interest

• Editors must disclose any personal, financial, or professional conflicts of interest.

• Editors with conflicts will be recused from handling the affected manuscript.

---

6. Ethical Oversight and Misconduct

• Cases of plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated data, or unethical research will be investigated thoroughly.

• Appropriate actions may include rejection, correction, retraction, or notification of the author’s institution or funding body.

---

7. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

• Corrections will be issued for factual errors that do not compromise the study’s findings.

• Retractions will be issued in cases of misconduct, unreliable findings, or serious ethical breaches.

• Expressions of concern may be published while investigations are ongoing.

---

8. Editorial Timelines

To ensure efficient handling of manuscripts, MJPM&PH strives for:

• Initial screening: 1–2 weeks

• Peer review process: 3–6 weeks

• First decision: 6–8 weeks after submission

• Post-revision decision: 2–3 weeks

---

9. Appeals and Complaints

• Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a reasoned written explanation.

• Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or an independent editorial board member.

• Complaints about editorial practices are investigated in line with COPE recommendations.