Editorial, Ethical, and Procedural Policies | Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences

Publication Frequency

Beginning April 2023, the Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) follows a biannual publication schedule, issuing two editions each year — one in the first half and another in the second half. This schedule ensures consistent dissemination of high-quality, evidence-based research across the medical, clinical, and biosocial sciences, fostering academic dialogue and innovation within the global scientific community.

Publication Ethics and Policy Guidelines

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) upholds the highest standards of ethical integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of its publishing process. Every participant — including authors, reviewers, and editors — is expected to adhere to the ethical principles defined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Authorship and Contributions:
In accordance with ICMJE authorship criteria, AJMBS recognizes as authors only those individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, data analysis, or interpretation of the research. All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for the integrity and accuracy of the work.

Conflict of Interest:
All authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could be perceived as influencing their objectivity or judgment. AJMBS publishes these disclosures alongside accepted articles to maintain full transparency and uphold trust in the scientific record.

Human and Animal Research Ethics:
AJMBS requires that all research involving human participants or animals be conducted in compliance with internationally accepted ethical standards.

Studies involving humans must adhere to the Declaration of Helsinki, ensuring informed consent and institutional ethical approval.
Studies involving animals must comply with recognized animal welfare and care guidelines.

These ethical safeguards reflect AJMBS’s dedication to responsible research publication and the protection of human and animal rights within the broader framework of medical and biosocial sciences.

Informed Consent Policy

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) is committed to upholding the ethical rights, dignity, and privacy of all research participants. Informed consent is a mandatory requirement for all studies involving human subjects, ensuring that participation and publication of personal data occur with full understanding and voluntary agreement.

Requirement:
Authors must obtain written informed consent from all participants—or their legal guardians, when applicable—before enrollment in any study involving human subjects. Consent must cover both:

Participation in the research, and
Permission for the publication of any identifiable information, images, or data in an openly accessible format.

Documentation:
During submission, authors must provide a statement confirming that informed consent was obtained for all identifiable data, images, or personal details included in the manuscript. The editorial office may request copies of consent forms for verification if necessary (these will be treated as confidential).

Privacy and Confidentiality:
Researchers are required to safeguard participants’ privacy and adhere to relevant national and international data protection laws. Personal identifiers must be removed or anonymized unless explicit consent has been obtained for their publication.

Implementation:

Submission Process: Manuscripts must include ethical approval details and a statement confirming that informed consent was obtained.
Verification: The AJMBS editorial team will review consent compliance as part of the peer review and ethical screening process.
Publication: Published articles will clearly indicate that the study followed informed consent protocols and ethical research standards.

This policy ensures that AJMBS maintains ethical integrity, respect for participants, and transparency in all human-subject research published under its platform.

Plagiarism Policy

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, data falsification, and unauthorized use of others’ intellectual work. Upholding originality is fundamental to the integrity and credibility of academic publishing.

Definition:
Plagiarism involves presenting another person’s words, ideas, images, or data as one’s own without proper acknowledgment. This includes direct copying, paraphrasing without citation, reusing one’s previously published work (self-plagiarism), or submitting content derived from AI tools without disclosure.

Screening for Similarity:

AJMBS employs TURNITIN plagiarism detection software to assess content originality for all submitted manuscripts.
The acceptable similarity index threshold is below 20%, excluding properly cited references, standard phrases, and methodology descriptions.
Manuscripts exceeding this limit are returned to authors for revision or may be rejected outright, depending on the nature and extent of overlap.

Consequences of Plagiarism:
If plagiarism is detected at any stage — submission, review, or post-publication — AJMBS will take appropriate corrective measures, including:

Immediate rejection or withdrawal of the manuscript.
Retraction of a published article, accompanied by a formal notice explaining the reason.
Notification of the author’s institution or funding agency.
Permanent or temporary ban on future submissions from the offending author(s).

Responsibility:
Authors bear full responsibility for ensuring the originality of their work before submission. By submitting to AJMBS, authors affirm that their manuscript is original, properly cited, and free from plagiarism in any form.

Through this policy, AJMBS safeguards the authenticity of scholarly communication and reinforces its commitment to ethical, transparent, and trustworthy research publication.

Authorship Criteria and Ethical Policies

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) adheres strictly to the authorship standards established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Authorship represents both intellectual contribution and responsibility, and AJMBS ensures that credit is assigned only to those who have made genuine, substantial contributions to the scholarly work.

Authorship Criteria:
To qualify as an author, individuals must have made significant contributions in all the following areas:

Conceptualization or design of the research work, or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
Drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
Approval of the final version of the manuscript prior to submission.
Accountability for the integrity and accuracy of all aspects of the research.

All four criteria must be met to qualify for authorship.

Acknowledgment of Non-Author Contributions:
Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet all authorship criteria — such as those involved in technical assistance, language editing, funding acquisition, or data collection — should be acknowledged in the “Acknowledgments” section with their consent.

Author Order and Responsibility:

The order of authorship must accurately reflect the magnitude of each contributor’s input and should be agreed upon collectively before submission.
The corresponding author bears primary responsibility for:
- Ensuring all listed authors meet authorship criteria.
- Managing communication between the editorial office and co-authors.
- Handling revisions and approval of the final proof.

Ethical Conduct in Authorship:

Gift authorship (credit without contribution) and ghost authorship (uncredited contributions) are strictly prohibited.
Any disputes related to authorship are resolved following COPE’s authorship dispute resolution guidelines.
Changes to authorship (addition, removal, or order changes) after submission require written consent from all listed authors and editorial approval.

By upholding these authorship principles, AJMBS promotes fair recognition, accountability, and ethical collaboration in the creation and publication of scholarly work.

Double-Blind Peer Review and Editorial Process

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure an impartial, objective, and high-quality evaluation of all submitted manuscripts. Under this model, the identities of both authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process to eliminate bias and promote fairness.

1. Initial Editorial Screening:

Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes a preliminary assessment by the Editor-in-Chief or an assigned editorial board member.
This stage verifies that the manuscript aligns with the journal’s aims and scope, adheres to ethical and formatting standards, and demonstrates sufficient scientific merit to proceed to peer review.
Submissions failing to meet these basic requirements may be desk rejected with constructive feedback to guide improvement.

2. Peer Review Process:

Manuscripts passing the initial screening are sent to at least two qualified independent reviewers with expertise relevant to the study’s subject area.
Both reviewers and authors remain anonymous throughout the process.
Reviewers are expected to provide objective, detailed, and constructive feedback addressing the manuscript’s originality, methodology, validity, clarity, and significance.
The standard review timeline for AJMBS is typically 15–20 days from the date of reviewer assignment.

3. Revision and Resubmission:

Based on reviewer feedback, authors may be requested to revise their manuscripts.
Revisions must include a point-by-point response letter addressing each reviewer comment.
The revised version may undergo further review to confirm the adequacy of revisions before final acceptance.

4. Editorial Decision:

The final publication decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief or Section Editor, considering reviewer recommendations, scientific soundness, and ethical compliance.
Possible decisions include: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.
Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting, proofreading, and publication scheduling in the upcoming issue.

5. Editorial Integrity and Oversight:

All editorial decisions are based solely on the scientific merit and relevance of the manuscript.
Editors and reviewers are required to declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves if bias is suspected.
The editorial office maintains detailed records of all reviews and communications to ensure transparency and accountability.

Through this structured and ethical review framework, AJMBS guarantees that every published article meets the highest standards of academic excellence, objectivity, and research integrity.

Withdrawal Policy

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) recognizes that authors may occasionally need to withdraw a manuscript after submission. However, because the editorial and peer-review process demands significant time and resources, withdrawal requests are subject to formal justification and editorial approval.

1. Withdrawal Before Review:

Authors may request withdrawal before the peer review process begins without penalty.
A written request must be submitted by the corresponding author to the editorial office, clearly stating the reason for withdrawal.

2. Withdrawal During Peer Review:

If a manuscript is under active review, authors must provide a valid reason for withdrawal (e.g., serious methodological error, duplicate submission, or ethical concern).
The withdrawal request will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, and approval will depend on the stage and progress of the review process.

3. Withdrawal After Acceptance:

Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, withdrawal is permitted only under exceptional circumstances, such as:
- Discovery of major data errors or ethical issues.
- Violation of publication ethics (e.g., authorship disputes, plagiarism).
Such requests require a formal written explanation and signed approval from all listed authors before the withdrawal is finalized.

4. Unauthorized Withdrawal or Non-Response:

Failure to respond to editorial communication after peer review initiation, or unilateral withdrawal without notice, may be treated as unethical behavior.
In such cases, AJMBS reserves the right to blacklist the authors or their affiliated institution from future submissions and notify relevant databases or organizations if necessary.

5. Official Confirmation:

Once a withdrawal is approved, the editorial office will issue an official withdrawal acknowledgment email confirming the manuscript’s removal from consideration.

This policy ensures that manuscript withdrawal is conducted ethically, transparently, and responsibly, preserving the integrity of the publication process and respecting the time invested by reviewers and editors.

Appeals and Complaints Processes

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) is committed to maintaining a transparent, fair, and ethical editorial environment. Authors, reviewers, or readers who believe that editorial decisions or processes have been mishandled have the right to raise concerns through a structured Appeals and Complaints Procedure.

1. Appeals Process

Authors may appeal against editorial decisions or raise concerns regarding:

Manuscript rejection or unfair evaluation.
Undue delay during the review or publication process.
Discrepancies in article processing or publication fees.

Procedure:

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief via the official journal email (e.g., editor@axisjmbs.com).
The appeal should include:
- The manuscript ID and title.
- A clear description of the issue or decision being appealed.
- Supporting evidence or rationale for reconsideration.
The Editor-in-Chief will acknowledge receipt and forward the appeal to the Appeals Committee, composed of senior editorial board members not involved in the original decision.
The Committee will review the matter independently and provide a final recommendation within a reasonable timeframe.
Decisions following the appeal are final and binding.

2. Complaints Process

Complaints may relate to alleged ethical misconduct, bias, unprofessional behavior, or procedural irregularities involving authors, reviewers, or editorial staff.

Procedure:

All complaints should be directed in writing to the Editor-in-Chief, providing detailed information and supporting evidence.
Upon receipt, the complaint will be referred to the Complaints Review Committee, consisting of senior editorial board members and, if necessary, an external ethics advisor.
The Committee will conduct a confidential and impartial investigation in accordance with COPE’s Core Practices and publication ethics guidelines.
Based on findings, appropriate corrective measures may include:
- Issuing an apology or clarification.
- Retraction or correction of the article.
- Reviewer/editor reassignment or disciplinary action.
- Notification of the author’s institution or funding body, if applicable.

3. Response and Resolution

Complainants will be kept informed throughout the review process.
All concerns are treated with confidentiality, neutrality, and professionalism.
AJMBS aims to resolve all appeals and complaints promptly and transparently, ensuring fairness for all parties involved.

Through this policy, AJMBS reinforces its dedication to accountability, ethical publishing, and continuous improvement within the academic community.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) is deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all aspects of its operations — from editorial decision-making and peer review to authorship representation and readership engagement.

AJMBS recognizes that diverse perspectives strengthen scientific inquiry, enrich academic discussion, and promote more equitable dissemination of knowledge. The journal strives to ensure that individuals of all backgrounds have equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from scholarly publishing.

Our Commitments:

Inclusive Representation: AJMBS seeks to build and maintain a diverse editorial board that reflects a range of disciplines, genders, geographic regions, and cultural perspectives within the medical and biosocial sciences.
Equitable Opportunities: The journal provides fair and unbiased consideration of all submissions, irrespective of an author’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, socioeconomic background, or geographic origin.
Encouragement of DEI Research: AJMBS welcomes and actively encourages submissions that explore or address diversity, equity, inclusion, and social determinants of health, particularly within medical and biosocial contexts.
Respectful Communication: Editors, reviewers, and authors are expected to engage respectfully and constructively, ensuring that the peer review and publication process is free from discrimination or prejudice.
Capacity Building: The journal supports emerging researchers, especially from underrepresented or developing regions, through mentoring, constructive editorial feedback, and fee waivers where applicable.

Through these commitments, the Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS) aims to cultivate an inclusive scholarly environment that values equity, fairness, and representation, ensuring that the diversity of the global scientific community is reflected in the research it publishes.

DATA SHARING POLICY

IJHR encourages transparency and reproducibility in research through our data sharing policy. Authors are expected to deposit the data and materials that support their research findings in a suitable public repository, when possible, at the time of publication. Data should include adequate metadata, clear access conditions, and be in formats that ensure interoperability. Where privacy, legal, or ethical concerns preclude public sharing, authors should explicitly state these restrictions in their manuscript. Preferred repositories are those providing stable, long-term storage and assigning persistent identifiers (e.g., DOIs) to datasets.