Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences

Editorial and Ethical Strategies

Editorial and Ethical Strategies:

Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Originality

Comprehensive Publication Ethics and Integrity Policy

Policy on Informed Consent, Participant Privacy, and Confidentiality

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

Advertising and Sponsorship Policy

Policy on Appeals, Complaints, and Dispute Resolution

Policy on Authorship Criteria and Contributor Responsibilities

Policy on Manuscript Withdrawal

Privacy and Data Protection Statement

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Preprint Policy

Ethics and Malpractice Statement

AJMBS is committed to the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing, in alignment with ICMJE Recommendations and COPE guidelines. All authors, reviewers, and editors must adhere to our policies on plagiarism, authorship, conflict of interest, data availability, informed consent, and peer review integrity. Suspected misconduct will be investigated promptly and fairly, with consequences including rejection, retraction, and submission bans.

Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Originality

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Policy Statement and Principles

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK), upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and originality. Plagiarism, in any form, constitutes a serious breach of publishing ethics and is strictly prohibited. AJMBS defines plagiarism as the unauthorized or unacknowledged use of another person's ideas, text, data, or other creative work, presenting it as one's own. This policy applies to all submitted manuscripts and published works within the journal's interdisciplinary scope of medical sciences, biological sciences, and social determinants of health and human behaviour.

2.0 Forms of Plagiarism

AJMBS recognizes and will take action against the following forms of plagiarism:

Verbatim Plagiarism: The direct copying of text from another source without quotation marks and proper citation, including from previously published medical or biosocial research.
Paraphrasing Plagiarism: The reproduction of another's ideas using different words without appropriate attribution, including the restructuring of sentences or paragraphs from original sources.
Idea Plagiarism: The unauthorized use of a novel hypothesis, theory, research methodology, clinical observation, or conclusion without credit to the originator.
Self-Plagiarism (Text Recycling): The reuse of significant portions of one's own previously published work without transparent disclosure and citation of the original source. This includes publishing the same manuscript in multiple journals or repurposing substantial text from prior publications without acknowledgment.
Data Plagiarism (Misappropriation): The use of another author's data, research findings, laboratory results, survey responses, or visual representations (e.g., figures, tables, images, graphs) without permission and proper acknowledgment.

3.0 Screening and Detection

Screening Software: As stated in the journal's Submission and Editorial Evaluation Pathway, all submitted manuscripts undergo plagiarism and similarity checks using professional plagiarism detection software.

Similarity Index Assessment: While no single similarity score is definitive, manuscripts with unacceptable levels of textual overlap — as determined by the editorial team based on the nature, context, and significance of matched text — will be returned to the author or rejected. The editorial team focuses its analysis on:

The extent of copying from a single source
Whether matched text is properly quoted, cited, and attributed
Whether the matched text consists of generic, common scientific phrases (e.g., standard methodologies, widely used definitions) or constitutes original intellectual property requiring citation
Evidence of self-plagiarism and whether prior work is appropriately cited and disclosed
Any overlap with the author's own previously published work without transparent cross-referencing

4.0 Actions and Consequences for Plagiarism

If plagiarism is detected at any stage — before or after publication — AJMBS will take decisive action based on the severity of the misconduct, in accordance with COPE guidelines:

Pre-Publication: Manuscripts found to contain plagiarism will be immediately rejected. The corresponding author and their institutional affiliation may be notified of the decision and the reason for rejection.
Post-Publication: Published articles found to contain plagiarism will be retracted immediately. A formal retraction notice stating the reason will be published in the next available issue of AJMBS and linked to the original article in all online databases and archival systems (including PKP-PN).
Sanctions: Authors found to have committed plagiarism will be prohibited from submitting new manuscripts to AJMBS for a period of three (3) to five (5) years, depending on the severity and intentionality of the offense. In cases of egregious, repeated, or systematic violations, a permanent ban on future submissions may be instituted. The authors' institutions, funding bodies, or employers may be formally informed of the misconduct.

5.0 Author Guidelines for Maintaining Originality

To avoid plagiarism and maintain the integrity of the scholarly record, authors are required to:

Ensure all verbatim text from other sources is placed in quotation marks and immediately cited with the original source, including page numbers where appropriate.
Paraphrase others' ideas thoroughly, ensuring the new text is fundamentally different in structure, wording, and sentence construction, and always provide a citation to the original work.
Clearly cite their own previously published work when building upon it. Extensive reuse of one's own text (self-plagiarism) may require permission from the copyright holder of the original publication and must be disclosed to the editor at submission.
Obtain written permission from the copyright holder and provide full attribution for the reuse of figures, tables, images, extensive data extracts, or any other third-party materials.
When in doubt about whether something requires citation, authors are encouraged to err on the side of providing a citation or to consult the editorial office at Admin@Axisacademics.uk.

This zero-tolerance policy is essential to protect the integrity of the scholarly record, ensure fair credit for original work, uphold the reputation of AJMBS and Axis Academics Limited (UK), and maintain the trust of the academic community and the public in medical and biosocial research.

Authorship and Contributor Responsibilities Policy

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 ICMJE Authorship Criteria

AJMBS follows the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship. Each author must meet all four of the following criteria:

Substantial Contributions: Significant contributions to conception or design; or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data (including clinical, biological, or biosocial data).
Drafting and Revision: Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
Final Approval: Final approval of the version to be published.
Accountability: Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, including accuracy and integrity.

2.0 Contributorship Statement

A detailed Contributorship Statement is required, specifying the role of each contributor (e.g., conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing, supervision, funding acquisition).

Individuals who do not meet all four ICMJE criteria but made valuable contributions (e.g., technical support, language editing, administrative assistance) may be acknowledged in a separate section.

3.0 Corresponding Author Responsibility

The corresponding author is the primary point of contact with the editorial office and is responsible for:

Ensuring all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript
Confirming all co-authors agree to be accountable for the work
Completing all disclosure and ethical compliance forms on behalf of the author group

Policy on Informed Consent, Participant Privacy, and Confidentiality

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Fundamental Principle

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK), places the highest priority on the rights, welfare, and privacy of human research participants. Research involving human subjects must be conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and adhere to relevant data protection regulations, including UK GDPR. This policy mandates that authors obtain and document appropriate informed consent, ensuring that participation is voluntary and that participants' privacy is rigorously protected, particularly given the journal's interdisciplinary focus on medical, biological, and social determinants of health research.

2.0 Requirement for Informed Consent

Mandatory Consent: For all research involving human participants (including surveys, interviews, interventional studies, observational studies, case reports, and biosocial data collection), authors must obtain written informed consent from each participant or their legally authorized representative prior to their involvement in the study.

Scope of Consent: The consent process must explicitly cover:

Participation in the Research: Explanation of the study's purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, data handling practices, and the right to withdraw at any time without penalty or loss of benefits.

Publication of Identifiable Information: Specific, separate consent must be obtained for the publication of any personally identifiable information in an open-access journal (CC BY 4.0 license). This includes, but is not limited to:

Photographs (including clinical or facial photographs)

Videos or audio recordings

Detailed case descriptions (including medical histories or social histories)

Genetic or genomic data

Biometric information

Any other information that could reasonably identify an individual

Language: The consent form and process must be conducted in a language and manner fully understandable to the participant, using lay terminology where appropriate. For non-English speaking populations, translated consent forms must be used, and the translation method should be described.

3.0 Documentation and Verification

Author Attestation: Upon manuscript submission to AJMBS, the corresponding author must attest—via a mandatory checklist and cover letter statement—that informed consent has been obtained from all participants (or their legal guardians) and that this consent explicitly includes permission for publication in an open-access format under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Document Retention: Authors must retain the original, signed informed consent forms (or electronic equivalents) for a period consistent with their institutional and national regulations, typically a minimum of five years after publication. AJMBS reserves the right to request copies of these documents or evidence of ethical approval at any stage of the review or post-publication process.

4.0 Privacy and Confidentiality Protections

Protecting participant confidentiality is a non-negotiable ethical obligation, especially in biosocial research where the combination of medical and social data could increase re-identification risk.

De-identification: Authors must take all necessary steps to ensure that information within the manuscript cannot be used to identify any individual participant, unless explicit consent for identification has been obtained. This involves removing:

Names, initials, and addresses

Specific dates (e.g., dates of examination, admission, discharge, birth) – use only ages or date ranges

Geographic identifiers (e.g., town names, precise GPS coordinates) – use regional or general descriptors

Unusual or rare characteristics that could enable triangulation

Any other potentially identifying details

Compliance with Regulations: All research must comply with applicable international, national, and local data protection laws and regulations (e.g., UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, HIPAA for US-based research). Authors are responsible for understanding and adhering to the legal requirements of their jurisdiction.

Special Considerations: Extra precautions must be taken for vulnerable populations (e.g., minors, prisoners, individuals with cognitive impairments, refugees, economically disadvantaged persons) and for sensitive research topics (e.g., mental health, infectious disease status, substance use, sexual behaviour, domestic violence). In such cases, authors should describe additional safeguards implemented.

5.0 Implementation and Editorial Oversight

Submission Requirement: As part of the submission process to AJMBS, authors must provide:

The name of the ethics committee (e.g., Institutional Review Board, Research Ethics Committee) that approved the study.

The reference number of the ethical approval.

A direct statement within the manuscript's 'Methods' section confirming that informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Editorial Verification: The AJMBS editorial team will verify compliance with this policy during the peer-review process. Failure to provide adequate documentation or clear statements will result in the manuscript being rejected or review being delayed until compliance is demonstrated.

Publication Statement: All published articles that involved human participants will include a statement in the article text confirming that informed consent was obtained and that the study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and applicable ethical standards.

6.0 Exceptions

Exceptions to the requirement for consent for publication (e.g., in the case of retrospective studies using anonymized archival data where the participant is deceased or cannot be traced) may be granted only after rigorous editorial review. In such cases, authors must demonstrate that:

Every reasonable effort has been made to trace or contact participants or their legal representatives.

The data presented are fully anonymized with no reasonable risk of re-identification.

The ethical oversight board explicitly approved a waiver of consent for publication.

The research does not involve vulnerable populations or sensitive topics that would require consent.

All exceptions will be documented in the editorial records of AJMBS, which are permanently archived via PKP-PN.

This stringent policy ensures that AJMBS fulfills its ethical duty to protect research participants and upholds the trust placed in us by the scientific community and the public in the medical and biosocial sciences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

AJMBS believes that diverse perspectives are fundamental to driving innovation and excellence in medical and biosocial sciences. The journal is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive community that actively promotes equity and provides a platform for scholars from all backgrounds, geographies, career stages, and disciplines (including clinical medicine, biology, public health, sociology, psychology, and epidemiology).

2.0 Non-Discrimination

AJMBS explicitly opposes discrimination based on:

Gender
Race or ethnicity
Religion
Nationality or geographic origin
Disability
Age
Sexual orientation
Socioeconomic status
Any other characteristic protected by law

3.0 Editorial and Reviewer Representation

The journal's editorial boards and reviewer pools are continually developed to reflect a broad spectrum of expertise, viewpoints, and global representation. AJMBS actively works to include scholars from underrepresented regions and groups.

4.0 Equal Opportunity in Publication

Editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit, without regard to any characteristic listed in Section 2.0. All authors receive equal consideration regardless of their institutional affiliation or career stage.

Advertising and Sponsorship Policy

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Policy Purpose and Scope

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK) from our office at 8 Greaves Avenue, Walsall, West Midlands, England, maintains a strict policy regarding advertising and sponsored content to ensure the integrity, independence, and academic focus of the journal are never compromised. This policy governs the acceptance, display, and management of all advertisements and sponsored materials on the AJMBS website (https://axisjmbs.com/), in email communications, on social media channels, or in any other journal-related media. Given the journal's interdisciplinary scope spanning medical sciences, biological sciences, and social determinants of health, we exercise particular vigilance in evaluating advertising that could influence health-related behaviours, clinical decisions, or policy directions.

2.0 Guiding Principles

Independence and Integrity: The publication of advertisements must not influence editorial decisions, manuscript selection, peer review outcomes, or content prioritisation in any way. A strict and visible separation between advertising and editorial content will always be maintained. No advertiser or sponsor has any role in or access to the editorial decision-making process.
Relevance: Advertisements must be relevant to the fields of medical sciences, biological sciences, public health, biosocial research, academic publishing, scholarly communication, and the professional interests of our readership (researchers, clinicians, educators, policymakers, students, and healthcare professionals).
Accuracy and Decency: All advertising content must be factually accurate, evidence-based where applicable, and presented in good taste. Advertisements must not contain false, misleading, exaggerated, or unsubstantiated claims. Health-related advertisements must be consistent with current medical and scientific consensus and must not encourage unsafe or ineffective practices.
Transparency: Advertising content must be clearly distinguishable from editorial and scholarly content. All advertisements will be explicitly and prominently labeled as "Advertisement" or "Sponsored Content" to ensure readers can easily differentiate paid promotional material from independent academic content.

3.0 Eligibility and Content Restrictions

AJMBS reserves the right to accept or reject any advertisement at its sole discretion without providing a reason. The following content is strictly prohibited:

Advertisements for products or services that are illegal in the country of publication (the United Kingdom) or that violate applicable laws and regulations in any jurisdiction where the journal is accessible.
Content that is discriminatory, defamatory, offensive, harassing, libellous, or infringes upon individual privacy, human dignity, or any protected characteristics.
Promotional materials for tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, nicotine products, recreational drugs, weapons, firearms, ammunition, gambling services, or alcohol (in excess of moderate consumption guidelines).
Advertisements that make unsubstantiated health claims, promote miracle cures, or advertise products or services that are deemed harmful to public health, patient safety, environmental sustainability, or evidence-based medical practice.
Advertisements that directly attack, disparage, or misrepresent a competitor's products or services through unsubstantiated or unfair comparisons.
Advertisements that mimic the look, feel, typography, colour scheme, or layout of AJMBS editorial content in a way that may deceive readers into believing the advertisement is an independent scholarly article.
Advertisements containing sexually explicit, gratuitously violent, or otherwise offensive material.
Political advertisements advocating for specific political candidates, parties, or overtly partisan positions.

4.0 Review and Approval Process

Mandatory Pre-approval: All potential advertisements are subject to prior review and explicit written approval by the AJMBS Management Team or designated editorial office staff. No advertisement will be published without formal written authorization.
Review Criteria: Approval will be based on adherence to this policy, relevance to the journal's audience, alignment with the journal's mission and ethical standards, and the overall quality, accuracy, and appropriateness of the content.
Right to Refuse or Remove: AJMBS reserves the unequivocal right to refuse any advertisement or to cancel any advertising agreement at any time, with or without notice, if it is deemed to be in conflict with the journal's ethical standards, academic mission, legal obligations, or this policy. No reasons for refusal or cancellation need be provided to the advertiser.
Record Keeping: Records of all approved advertisements, including copies of the content, approval dates, and relevant correspondence, will be retained by the editorial office for a minimum of three years for audit and compliance purposes.

5.0 Placement and Design

Clear Distinction: Advertisements will be displayed in designated areas of the website (e.g., sidebars, footers, dedicated advertising sections) and will not be integrated within or immediately adjacent to article text, titles, author lists, abstracts, reference sections, or peer review information in a manner that could suggest endorsement by the journal, its authors, its editors, or its peer reviewers.
No Endorsement Implied: The acceptance of an advertisement does not imply endorsement, recommendation, validation, or approval by AJMBS, its Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editors, Section Editors, editorial board, peer reviewers, or publisher (Axis Academics Limited, UK). A clear disclaimer to this effect will be displayed prominently in the journal's advertising section, stating: "AJMBS does not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy of any advertisement or sponsored content appearing on this site. Advertisers are solely and fully responsible for all claims made in their advertisements."
Non-Intrusive Design: Advertisements must not interfere with the functionality, accessibility, or usability of the journal website, including page loading speed, navigation, search functionality, readability of scholarly content, or compliance with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1). Pop-up ads, auto-playing videos with sound, hover ads that obscure content, and intrusive interstitials are strictly prohibited.

6.0 Policy on Sponsored Content

Sponsored articles, supplements, special issues, webinars, or other sponsored content may be considered on a case-by-case basis but are subject to an even more rigorous approval process than standard advertisements. Such sponsored content must:

Undergo the same double-blind peer-review process as all other scholarly content if presenting original research, including review by at least two independent expert reviewers with no affiliation to the sponsor. Sponsors have no role in the review, editorial decision-making, or revision process.
Be clearly and prominently labeled as "Sponsored" , "Sponsored Supplement" , "Supported by" , or "Sponsored Content" in the title, header, footer, and throughout the content, on every page or screen where the sponsored material appears.
Maintain high scientific and ethical standards consistent with the journal's regular content, including full adherence to ICMJE Recommendations, COPE guidelines, and all other AJMBS policies (e.g., plagiarism, conflicts of interest, ethical oversight, data sharing).
Include a full and transparent disclosure of the sponsoring organization's identity, the nature and extent of their support (financial or in-kind), and any role they played in the conception, development, or review of the content. Any potential conflicts of interest must be declared.
Be subject to final approval by the Editor-in-Chief, who has the absolute right to reject any sponsored content that does not meet the journal's standards, regardless of prior discussions or payments.

7.0 Policy Review

This Advertising and Sponsorship Policy is subject to periodic review (at least annually) by the AJMBS editorial management board and the publisher (Axis Academics Limited, UK) to ensure it continues to meet the evolving standards of academic publishing, legal requirements, technological changes, and the needs of our community. Updates to this policy will be published on the journal's website, and active advertisers will be notified of material changes where appropriate.

This policy ensures that any advertising or sponsorship serves as a potential resource for our readers without in any way undermining the academic credibility, editorial independence, ethical mission, or public trust in the Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS).

Policy on Appeals, Complaints, and Dispute Resolution

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Policy Purpose and Guiding Principles

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK), is committed to fairness, transparency, and accountability. This policy establishes a clear, simple, and respectful process for addressing appeals against editorial decisions and for handling complaints regarding journal procedures. All matters will be treated with confidentiality, seriousness, and respect for all parties involved.

2.0 Scope

This policy covers:

Appeals: Requests to reconsider an editorial decision (e.g., manuscript rejection).
Complaints: Concerns about journal procedures, delays, or miscommunication.

3.0 Appeals Process

An appeal must be based on valid grounds, not simply disagreement with a decision.

Valid Grounds for Appeal:

A genuine misunderstanding of the manuscript's findings by reviewers.
New data that directly addresses reviewers' concerns.

How to Submit an Appeal:

Submit a formal appeal letter to Admin@Axisacademics.uk within 30 days of the decision.
The letter must explain the grounds for appeal professionally and respectfully.

Appeal Review:

The Editor-in-Chief will review the appeal with an independent senior editor not involved in the original decision.
The committee will consider the manuscript, original reviews, and the appeal letter.

Possible Outcomes:

Original decision upheld.
Manuscript re-reviewed with new reviewers.
Manuscript accepted if concerns are fully resolved.

Finality: The Editor-in-Chief's decision on appeal is final.

4.0 Complaints Process

We welcome complaints as an opportunity to improve. Common complaints and their solutions include:

Common Complaint	Proposed Solution
Delay in review process	Contact editorial office; we will follow up with reviewers
Difficulty using submission system	Contact Admin@Axisacademics.uk for technical assistance
Miscommunication with editorial staff	Complaint reviewed by Editor-in-Chief; staff retraining if needed
Concerns about reviewer bias	Manuscript will be assigned to new, independent reviewers
Formatting or guideline confusion	Editorial office provides clear guidance and examples

How to Submit a Complaint:

Submit in writing to Admin@Axisacademics.uk with a clear description and any supporting evidence.
Complaints must be made in good faith.

Complaint Review:

The Editor-in-Chief will acknowledge receipt within 5 business days.
A simple, fair investigation will be conducted.
The complainant will receive a written response within 4 weeks.

Possible Resolutions:

Formal apology or clarification.
Corrective action (e.g., revised communication, reviewer reassignment).
Explanation of journal policy.

5.0 General Provisions

Confidentiality: All matters are handled discreetly.
Good Faith: Frivolous or malicious complaints may be declined.
No Retaliation: The journal does not penalize authors who raise genuine concerns.

6.0 Escalation

If a complainant remains unsatisfied after the journal's internal process, they may contact the journal's publisher:

Axis Academics Limited (UK)
8 Greaves Avenue, Walsall, West Midlands, England
Email: Admin@Axisacademics.uk

Policy on Manuscript Withdrawal

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Policy Objective

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK), recognizes that authors may have legitimate reasons for withdrawing a submitted manuscript. This policy establishes clear and ethical guidelines for the withdrawal process to protect the integrity of the scholarly record, prevent the waste of valuable editorial and peer-review resources, and ensure transparent communication between authors and the journal.

2.0 Conditions for Withdrawal

Authors may request to withdraw their manuscript from consideration at any point in the editorial process prior to its formal acceptance for publication. However, the stage of the process dictates the conditions and implications of withdrawal.

Prior to Peer Review: Authors are encouraged to carefully review their work before submission. However, if a significant error is discovered (e.g., a critical mistake in data analysis or methodology) or there is a compelling reason for withdrawal at this early stage, the journal will process the request promptly without penalty.
During Peer Review: Withdrawal during the peer-review process is strongly discouraged as it represents a significant waste of academic resources and the voluntary time and expertise of editors and reviewers who have already invested effort in evaluating the manuscript. Requests at this stage must be accompanied by a detailed and compelling rationale (e.g., identification of a critical flaw in the study methodology, analysis, or interpretation that cannot be corrected through revision).
After Acceptance but Prior to Publication: Withdrawal after a manuscript has been formally accepted is highly disruptive and is only considered under extraordinary circumstances, such as:

Proven ethical misconduct (e.g., undisclosed conflicts of interest, plagiarism discovered after acceptance).
Legal concerns (e.g., a court order or legal prohibition against publication).
Irreconcilable authorship disputes that cannot be resolved before publication.
Discovery of a fundamental, uncorrectable error that invalidates the entire study.

Withdrawal after acceptance is not permitted for reasons of submitting to another journal or for simple changes of mind.

3.0 Withdrawal Procedure

To initiate a withdrawal, the corresponding author must:

1. Submit a formal, written request to the journal's editorial office at Admin@Axisacademics.uk from the official email account used during submission.

2. Clearly state the manuscript ID, title, and the detailed reason for the withdrawal request. Vague or insufficient reasons may result in denial of the request.

3. Include a signed statement from all co-authors (or documented evidence of attempted contact) confirming their unanimous agreement to withdraw the manuscript. Withdrawal requests from a single author without co-author consent will not be processed.

4. Acknowledge that once withdrawn, the manuscript cannot be reinstated, and a new submission would be treated as a fresh manuscript.

4.0 Consequences of Unethical Withdrawal

AJMBS considers the following practices a serious breach of publishing ethics:

Withdrawing a manuscript after peer review has commenced solely to submit it to another journal without providing a valid scientific or ethical rationale.
Withdrawing a manuscript after acceptance without an extraordinary, documented reason.
Failing to respond to editorial communications or revision requests in an attempt to force a withdrawal by default or to delay the process indefinitely.
Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously and then withdrawing from one after acceptance elsewhere.

In such cases of unethical withdrawal, AJMBS reserves the right to:

Formally reject the manuscript (and any future resubmissions of the same work).
Impose a moratorium (temporary ban) on new submissions from the responsible authors for a period of twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months, depending on the severity of the violation.
Notify the editors of the other journal(s) involved of the unethical withdrawal, as this may constitute a violation of their policies as well.
In cases of egregious or repeated violations, notify the authors' institutional authorities or employers of the ethical breach.

5.0 No Penalty for Legitimate Withdrawal

AJMBS does not penalize authors who request withdrawal before peer review has commenced or who provide a valid, compelling scientific rationale for withdrawal during peer review (e.g., detection of an uncorrectable error). Such authors remain eligible to submit new manuscripts to the journal in the future.

6.0 Post-Publication Retractions

This policy covers pre-publication withdrawal only. For concerns regarding articles that have already been published online (e.g., discovery of a significant error, ethical issues, data fabrication), please refer to the journal's Correction and Retraction Policy (see CrossMark Policy for Content Integrity and Updates), which governs the formal retraction process. Withdrawal is not possible after publication; only retraction, correction, or expression of concern is available.

7.0 Acknowledgement

The journal acknowledges that legitimate withdrawals are rare and typically result from honest errors. AJMBS handles all withdrawal requests professionally, fairly, and without unnecessary delay.

This policy ensures that the manuscript withdrawal process is handled with professionalism, respects the contributions of editors and reviewers, and upholds the ethical standards of scholarly publishing in medical and biosocial sciences.

Understanding

Authors may withdraw a manuscript before acceptance, but withdrawal during or after peer review is strongly discouraged and requires a compelling scientific rationale (e.g., critical uncorrectable error). Withdrawal after acceptance is only allowed for extraordinary circumstances (ethics violations, legal issues, authorship disputes). Unethical withdrawals (e.g., withdrawing to submit elsewhere) may result in a 12–24 month submission ban and notification of other journals or institutions. Legitimate withdrawals without penalty are allowed before peer review. After publication, only retraction is possible.

Privacy and Data Protection Statement

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Commitment to Data Privacy

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK) from our office at 8 Greaves Avenue, Walsall, West Midlands, England, is deeply committed to protecting the privacy and security of all personal information collected from authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. This statement outlines how we collect, use, store, and safeguard personal data in compliance with global data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (UK GDPR) and other applicable privacy laws.

2.0 Scope and Information Collected

This policy applies to all personal data submitted to AJMBS through its website (https://axisjmbs.com/), OJS manuscript submission system, email communications, or any other engagement platform. Personal information may include but is not limited to:

Names, academic affiliations, and contact details (email addresses, postal addresses, phone numbers).
Professional credentials, biographical summaries, ORCID iDs, and research interests.
Usernames, passwords, and system usage data for the OJS platform.
Peer review history and reviewer comments (anonymized for publication).
Payment information (processed securely via third-party payment gateways; AJMBS does not store full financial details such as credit card numbers).

3.0 Purposes of Data Collection and Use

Personal data is collected and used exclusively for legitimate purposes related to the journal's operations, including:

Managing manuscript submission, double-blind peer review, and editorial decision-making processes.
Facilitating communication between authors, reviewers, editors, and the editorial office.
Distributing published content and notifying users of new issues, calls for papers, or announcements (with opt-out options).
Processing payments for Article Processing Charges (APCs), where applicable, via secure third-party gateways.
Verifying identities and managing user accounts on the OJS platform.
Improving user experience, website functionality, and journal services through analysis of anonymized usage data.

4.0 Data Storage and Security

AJMBS implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Data is stored on secure, encrypted servers hosted by reputable service providers with limited access granted only to authorized editorial personnel.
Regular security assessments and software updates are conducted to maintain data integrity and protect against breaches.
Access to personal data is restricted on a strict need-to-know basis (e.g., editors see author/reviewer details; reviewers see only anonymized manuscripts).
All data transmissions are encrypted using industry-standard protocols (SSL/TLS).

5.0 Data Sharing and Disclosure

AJMBS does not sell, trade, or rent personal information to third parties. Data may be disclosed only under the following limited circumstances:

To service providers (e.g., hosting providers, payment processors, plagiarism detection software) bound by strict confidentiality agreements and data protection clauses.
Where required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of AJMBS, its users, or the public (e.g., in response to a court order).
For publication-related purposes (e.g., displaying author names, affiliations, and contact details alongside published articles as part of the scholarly record).
With the explicit consent of the individual for any additional purpose not covered above.

6.0 User Rights and Control

Individuals whose personal data we hold have the following rights under UK GDPR:

Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Deletion: Request deletion of your data, subject to legal or contractual obligations (e.g., we must retain records of published articles indefinitely).
Restriction: Request restriction of processing of your data.
Objection: Object to the processing of your data for specific purposes (e.g., marketing communications).
Portability: Request data portability in a structured, machine-readable format.
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for specific uses (e.g., receiving email newsletters) at any time.

To exercise these rights, users may contact the editorial office at Admin@Axisacademics.uk.

7.0 Data Retention

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

For published articles: Author and reviewer data associated with published content is retained indefinitely to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record and to allow for post-publication correspondence.
For rejected manuscripts: Personal data is retained for a period of three (3) years after the final decision, after which it is securely deleted or anonymized.
For user accounts: Data is retained until the user requests account deletion or after a period of inactivity (five years), after which it may be archived or deleted.

8.0 Cookies and Tracking

The AJMBS website and OJS platform may use cookies (small text files stored on your device) to enhance user experience, remember login preferences, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. Types of cookies used include:

Essential cookies: Required for website functionality (e.g., login, session management).
Analytics cookies: Used to understand how users interact with the site (e.g., page views, navigation patterns).

Users can manage cookie preferences through their browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

9.0 Updates to This Statement

This Privacy and Data Protection Statement may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal, technical, or operational practices. Updates will be posted on the journal's website (https://axisjmbs.com/) with the effective date clearly indicated at the top of the statement. Significant changes will be communicated to registered users via email where practicable.

10.0 Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Statement or data practices, please contact:

Editorial Office
Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)
Axis Academics Limited (UK)
8 Greaves Avenue, Walsall, West Midlands, England
Email: Admin@Axisacademics.uk
Phone: +92 320 3129120

For data protection matters specifically, individuals may also contact the publisher at the same address.

This comprehensive Privacy and Data Protection Statement ensures that AJMBS operates with transparency, accountability, and respect for the privacy of all individuals engaged with the journal.

Understanding

AJMBS collects personal data (names, affiliations, contact details, system usage) solely for legitimate journal operations such as manuscript management, peer review, communication, and payment processing. Data is stored securely on encrypted servers and is not sold or rented to third parties. Users have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict their data under UK GDPR. Data retention varies: published article data is kept indefinitely for the scholarly record; rejected manuscript data is retained for three years. The website uses essential and analytics cookies. Contact Admin@Axisacademics.uk for privacy-related requests.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

1.0 Foundational Commitment

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK), is dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all aspects of our operations. We firmly believe that diverse perspectives—encompassing race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, geographic location, socioeconomic background, religion, academic rank, and disciplinary training (medical, biological, or social sciences)—are essential for advancing innovative research, promoting equitable healthcare and social outcomes, and enriching scholarly discourse at the intersection of medical sciences, biological sciences, and social determinants of health and human behaviour.

2.0 Strategic Objectives

To translate our commitment into meaningful action, AJMBS will:

Cultivate Inclusive Representation:

Proactively seek to diversify our editorial board, reviewer pool, advisory network, and section editors to reflect a broad range of backgrounds, expertise, career stages, and global perspectives.
Implement structured term limits and rotation policies for editorial roles to ensure ongoing opportunities for new voices and to prevent stagnation.
Actively invite qualified scholars from underrepresented regions and communities to join our editorial leadership.

Equitable Editorial and Peer Review Practices:

Ensure all manuscripts are evaluated based solely on intellectual merit, methodological rigor, originality, and relevance to the journal's scope, free from bias related to authors' identities, affiliations, nationality, or career stage.
Provide implicit bias awareness resources and guidance for editors and reviewers to support fair and objective decision-making throughout the double-blind peer review process.
Monitor submission, acceptance, and review patterns anonymously to identify and address any potential disparities in outcomes.

Amplify Underrepresented Voices and Topics:

Actively encourage submissions from researchers in low- and middle-income countries, early-career scholars, scholars from marginalized communities, and those without institutional affiliations.
Welcome and prioritize research that addresses health disparities, accessibility in healthcare, cultural competence, social determinants of health, structural inequities, and equitable medical and biosocial practices.
Consider dedicating special issues, themed sections, or invited commentaries to topics focused on DEI in medical and biosocial sciences.

Accessible and Inclusive Publishing:

Ensure journal digital content complies with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1) to accommodate readers, authors, and reviewers with disabilities (see Accessibility Statement).
Offer APC waivers or discounts to authors facing genuine financial barriers to publication, ensuring economic status does not hinder dissemination of valuable work (see Policy on Article Processing Charges and Waivers).
Use inclusive, respectful, and bias-free language in all journal communications, author guidelines, and published content, following best practices for scholarly writing.

3.0 Actionable Initiatives

Structured Data Collection (Voluntary and Anonymous):

Voluntarily collect and analyze anonymized demographic data from authors, reviewers, and editors to measure progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure accountability. Participation is completely optional and does not affect editorial decisions.

Community Engagement:

Solicit regular feedback from the global medical and biosocial research community through surveys, open calls, and direct communication to inform and refine our DEI strategies.
Establish a clear channel for reporting concerns related to bias, discrimination, or exclusion (contact: Admin@Axisacademics.uk).

Transparency and Accountability:

Publicly share our DEI goals, initiatives, and progress reports annually on the journal website (https://axisjmbs.com/).
Review and update this DEI Statement every two years to ensure it remains current and effective.

4.0 Our Pledge

AJMBS recognizes that promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is an ongoing process that requires continuous reflection, learning, and intentional action. We pledge to regularly review and update our policies, practices, and editorial composition to ensure they align with the evolving needs of our community and the highest standards of equitable scholarly publishing. We acknowledge that we may not always get it right, but we commit to listening, learning, and improving.

By embracing these principles, AJMBS aims to contribute to a more just, representative, and welcoming global academic community, ultimately enriching the quality, relevance, and impact of research in medical sciences, biological sciences, and social determinants of health and human behaviour.

Understanding

AJMBS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations. Key actions include diversifying editorial boards, ensuring bias-free peer review, amplifying underrepresented voices and health disparities research, maintaining accessible digital content, offering APC waivers for financial need, and using inclusive language. The journal collects voluntary demographic data to track progress, solicits community feedback, and publishes annual DEI reports. This is an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.

Preprint Policy

Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

The Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS), published by Axis Academics Limited (UK), supports the preprint culture for the rapid sharing of research findings at the intersection of medical sciences, biological sciences, and social determinants of health and human behaviour. Authors are permitted to submit manuscripts that have been made available as preprints on non-commercial servers (e.g., arXiv, medRxiv, bioRxiv, OSF Preprints, SSRN, or other recognized preprint platforms). Such submissions will not be considered prior publication by AJMBS.

Authors must declare the preprint server and provide the persistent identifier or direct link to the preprint during the submission process in the appropriate field or cover letter.
Upon acceptance and publication in AJMBS, authors are strongly encouraged to update the preprint record with a link to the final published version of the article on the journal's website (https://axisjmbs.com/), along with the full citation (journal name, year, volume, issue, and page range).
Peer review will continue to be conducted exclusively on the version submitted to the AJMBS journal system (OJS platform). The existence of a preprint does not influence the double-blind peer review process, and reviewers will evaluate the submitted version on its own merits.
Authors may continue to post and update their preprints during the review process. However, the final accepted manuscript (after peer review) should not be posted as a preprint before the journal's official publication date, except as permitted under the journal's self-archiving policies.
AJMBS does not consider posting on a preprint server as prior publication. Therefore, manuscripts previously shared as preprints remain eligible for full consideration.

This policy encourages the rapid dissemination of research while maintaining the integrity and rigour of the journal's double-blind peer review process.

Understanding

AJMBS allows authors to submit manuscripts that have already been posted as preprints on non-commercial servers. Submission of a preprint is not considered prior publication. Authors must declare the preprint server and provide a link at submission. After acceptance and publication, authors are encouraged to update the preprint record with a link to the final published version in AJMBS. Peer review is conducted only on the version submitted to the journal. This policy supports rapid research sharing while preserving the integrity of double-blind peer review.