Journal Policies

Journal Policies & Useful Links

Advertising Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) does not accept any form of commercial advertising, sponsorship, or promotional content.

1. No Commercial Advertisements

  • IJMSCRR does not publish banner advertisements, sponsored content, or paid promotional material on its website or in its publications.
  • The journal operates independently and is fully committed to academic integrity and ethical publishing practices.

2. Editorial Independence

  • All editorial decisions are based solely on the academic merit, originality, and scientific quality of the submitted manuscripts.
  • No financial or commercial influence is permitted in the editorial or peer review process.

3. Conflict-Free Publishing

  • The absence of advertising ensures a conflict-free environment, maintaining transparency and trust among authors, reviewers, and readers.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in articles published in the International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, editorial board, publisher, or affiliated institutions.

  • The publisher and editors are not responsible for errors or consequences arising from the use of information contained in the journal.
  • Authors are solely responsible for the accuracy, validity, and ethical integrity of their work.
  • Medical and clinical information published in the journal should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice.

 

Funding Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) promotes transparency in research funding to prevent bias and ensure research integrity.

1. Disclosure of Funding

  • All authors must clearly disclose all sources of funding received for their research.
  • Funding information must be stated in the manuscript under a separate “Funding Statement” section.

2. Role of Funders

  • Authors must specify the role of funding agencies in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and publication decisions.
  • If the funder had no role, authors must clearly state this.

3. Transparency

  • Failure to disclose funding sources may result in manuscript rejection or post-publication correction.

 

Aim and Scope:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) is a peer-reviewed, open-access, online journal dedicated to the rapid publication of high-quality research in all areas of medical science and clinical research.

The journal publishes a wide range of scholarly content, including:

  • Original Research Articles
  • Short Communications
  • Case Studies
  • Invited Reviews
  • Editorial Commentaries, Opinions & Perspectives
  • Book Reviews

Objective

IJMSCRR serves as a reliable platform for disseminating innovative research findings that contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge and practice. It aims to attract a global readership of medical professionals, researchers, and academicians interested in the latest and most significant developments in the field.

Scope

The journal invites submissions from, but not limited to, the following areas:

  • Medical Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Anesthesia, Asthma, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Hematology, Pathology, Immunology, Oncology, Radiology, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, Surgery, Dental Sciences, Sports Physiology, Histopathology, Toxicology, and related fields.
  • Clinical Research: Pharmacokinetics, Molecular Drug Design, Phytochemistry, Biomedical Analysis, Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, Pharmacogenomics, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Herbal Medicine, Orthopaedics, and other allied disciplines.

Publication Model

Articles are published immediately upon acceptance and are made freely available on the journal’s website to ensure rapid and global dissemination of research findings.

 

Publication Frequency & Schedule:

Publication Frequency: Bimonthly (06 Issue/ Per Yer)
Publication Schedule: January, March, May, July, September, November

 

Open Access Policy:

This journal provides immediate open access to all published content, based on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a broader and more effective global exchange of knowledge.

Authors retain the copyright of their published work, granting the journal the right to distribute the content under its licensing terms.

 

Archiving Policy:

Digital Archiving Policy

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) is committed to ensuring the long-term preservation, accessibility, and usability of all published content. This policy outlines the principles and practices followed for secure digital archiving.

Principles of Digital Archiving

  1. Intellectual Property Rights
    IJMSCRR safeguards the intellectual property rights of authors by ensuring that archived content remains protected and accessible only under the terms of publication and copyright agreements.
  2. Long-Term Access
    All digital preservation activities are carried out with the primary goal of providing reliable and permanent access to published materials.
  3. Authenticity and Integrity
    The journal ensures that all preserved content remains unaltered and authentic, maintaining its originality and integrity over time.

Self-Archiving Rights

  • Authors retain full copyrightof their published work.
  • Authors are permitted to deposit pre-print or post-print versions of their manuscripts in institutional repositoriesor other open-access archives, provided proper citation to the final published version is included.

Archiving Systems

IJMSCRR utilizes multiple trusted digital archiving systems to safeguard content, including:

LOCKSS AND CLOCKSS and The PKP PN plugin will deposit your published content into the PKP Preservation Network. PKP PRESERVATION NETWORK

This guarantees permanent access to all published material, even in the event of system failures or discontinuation.

 

Peer Review Policy:

Peer Review Policy:-

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) follows a rigorous peer review system to ensure the integrity, quality, and scientific accuracy of published articles.

  • All submitted manuscripts are evaluated for originality, significance, methodology, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • The journal implements a double-blind peer review, ensuring that both authors’ and reviewers’ identities remain confidential.
  • Reviewers are required to provide objective, unbiased, and constructive feedback.
  • All participants in the review process must disclose any conflicts of interest.
  • The journal strictly enforces ethical standards and takes prompt action in cases of suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, or other misconduct.

Peer Review Process:-

All manuscripts submitted to International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) undergo a double-blind peer review process, ensuring that both author and reviewer identities remain confidential throughout.

1. Initial Editorial Assessment

Upon submission, the Editor-in-Chief performs an initial appraisal to determine whether the manuscript is suitable for peer review.
A manuscript may be rejected without external review if it:

  • Lacks originality,
  • Contains serious conceptual or methodological flaws,
  • Falls outside the journal's scope, or
  • Is written in poor English that impedes understanding.

2. Fast-Track Review Option

For papers submitted under the Fast-Track Process, IJMSCRR guarantees:

  • An editorial decision within 15 business days (excluding weekends and public holidays), and
  • Publication within 3 days after final acceptance.

3. Reviewer Selection & Invitation

The Editor-in-Chief invites at least two expert reviewers based on:

  • Subject expertise,
  • Absence of conflicts of interest, and
  • Availability to review within the required timeframe.

4. Review Process

  • Invited reviewers evaluate the manuscript according to its originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and relevance.
  • Reviewers are not expected to perform language editing or copyediting.
  • Each reviewer provides a structured report and recommends one of the following decisions:
    • Accept Submission
    • Minor Revision Required
    • Major Revision / Resubmit for Review
    • Resubmit Elsewhere
    • Decline Submission

5. Editorial Decision

After receiving reviewer reports, the Editor-in-Chief evaluates the recommendations and makes one of the following decisions:

  • Accept the manuscript,
  • Request revisions (minor or major), or
  • Reject the manuscript.

6. Communication with Authors & Reviewers

  • Authors receive a decision email containing reviewer comments (kept anonymous) and editorial instructions.
  • If revisions are required, authors are expected to address all comments before resubmission.
  • Reviewers are notified of the final decision and may be asked to review revised versions unless they have opted out.

7. Final Steps

  • Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting and production.
  • Rejected manuscripts are archived with editorial records.
  • In the case of minor revisions, the final review may be handled directly by the Editor-in-Chief.

 

Author Guidelines:

Ethics of Publication

Authors are expected to adhere to the highest standards of publication ethics. The IJMSCRR guidelines are based on the principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). In cases where the IJMSCRR guidelines do not provide specific instructions, COPE and ICMJE recommendations will be followed to resolve any issues or disputes.

"Authors reporting clinical trials must include a registration number from a recognized registry. See [Clinical Trials Policy] for details."

For detailed instructions, please visit: Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement

Types of Contributions

The following types of manuscripts will be considered for publication. Please note the maximum word limits, abstract limits, references, and tables/figures. Submissions exceeding these limits will be returned without peer review.

1. Original Research Papers

  • Word Limit:3500 words
  • Abstract:250 words
  • References:30 maximum
  • Tables/Figures:3–5
  • Structure:Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, References.

2. Review Articles

  • Word Limit:4000 words
  • Abstract:300 words
  • References:Minimum 40
  • Tables/Figures:3–5
  • Special Requirements: Must clearly describe the search strategy (keywords, inclusion/exclusion criteria, search engines, etc.). No strict format required but should include major divisions and a clear summary of recent developments.

3. Case Reports

  • Word Limit:2000 words
  • Abstract:180 words
  • References:20 maximum
  • Tables/Figures:3 maximum
  • Structure:Abstract, Introduction (optional), Case Report(s), Discussion, Conclusions, References.
  • Note:Only accepted if they add new information or present a novel perspective on known conditions.

4. Brief Reports

  • Word Limit:2000 words
  • Abstract:180 words
  • References:20 maximum
  • Tables/Figures:3 maximum
  • Special Requirement:Must present conclusive findings. Preliminary or incomplete studies are not acceptable.

5. Letters to the Editor

  • Word Limit:800 words
  • Special Notes:May respond to published manuscripts or discuss issues within the journal’s scope. Authors of referenced papers may be invited to respond.

6. Book Reviews

  • Abstract:Not required
  • References:Not required
  • Content:Should provide a critical evaluation of a book related to the journal’s scope. Prior approval from the Editor-in-Chief is required before submission.

Presentation of Manuscripts

General Requirements

  • Manuscripts must follow the journal style strictly.
  • British or American spelling is acceptable but should not be mixed.
  • Non-compliant submissions will be returned to authors, potentially delaying publication.

Manuscript Structure

Each section should start on a separate page in the following order:

  1. Title Page
  2. Abstract
  3. Main Text (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Data Availability, Conflict of Interest, Funding Statement)
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Tables
  6. References
  7. Figure Captions

Note: Authors’ academic qualifications must not be included in the manuscript.

Title Page Information

  • Title of the article
  • Full names of all authors
  • Institutional affiliation(s)
  • Corresponding author’s contact details (address, telephone, email)
  • Funding sources (if any)
  • Keywords (maximum five)
  • Short running title (if the title exceeds 40 characters)

Section-Wise Guidelines

Introduction

  • Define the nature and scope of the problem.
  • Provide relevant literature review.
  • State the rationale, purpose, and methods used.

Materials and Methods

  • Describe study design, methodology, and tools used.
  • Mention statistical methods.
  • Avoid including results in this section.

Results

  • Present findings clearly, avoiding repetitive data.
  • Use tables/figures where necessary.

Discussion

  • Interpret findings in the context of existing literature.
  • Highlight limitations and implications of the study.
  • State conclusions clearly.

References

  • References should be numbered in the order of appearance in the text.
  • Follow standard citation formats:
    • Journal Article:
      Toschka H, Feifel H. Aesthetic and functional results of harvesting radial forearm flap. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg2001; 30: 45–51. doi: 10.1054/ijom.2000.0005
    • Book:
      Costich ER, White RP. Fundamentals of Oral Surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1971: 201–220.
    • Book Chapter:
      Hodge HC, Smith FA. Biological properties of inorganic fluorides. In: Simons JH, ed. Fluorine Chemistry. New York: Academic Press; 1965: 135.

Tables & Figures

  • Tables should be concise and not duplicate information from the text.
  • Figures should be high-quality (minimum 300 dpi).
  • Photographs should maintain patient confidentiality; consent must be obtained for identifiable images.

Proofs & Corrections

Authors must review proofs carefully and return corrections in one communication. Significant changes at the proof stage will only be accepted with editor approval.

 

Publication Ethics & Malpractice Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) upholds the highest standards of ethical publishing in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. This policy defines the responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher, and outlines procedures for handling publication malpractice.

1. General Ethical Principles

  • All manuscripts must present original research and avoid any form of plagiarism or duplicate submission.
  • Proper acknowledgment of sources is mandatory.
  • Studies involving human or animal subjects must have prior ethical approval and comply with international standards (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki).

2. Duties of Authors

  • Originality & Plagiarism: Authors must submit original works. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable.
  • Data Integrity: Data must be accurate, verifiable, and available for review if requested.
  • Authorship: All listed authors must have significantly contributed to the research.
  • Conflicts of Interest: Any financial or non-financial conflicts must be disclosed.
  • Ethical Compliance: Human and animal research requires ethical committee approval and informed consent where applicable.
  • Corrections & Retractions: Authors must cooperate with editors in correcting or retracting papers where errors or ethical breaches are identified.

3. Duties of Editors

  • Editorial Independence: Decisions are based on academic merit and relevance, not personal or commercial interests.
  • Fair Review: Manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process to ensure impartiality.
  • Confidentiality: Editors must protect the confidentiality of all submissions.
  • Action on Misconduct: Editors will act promptly in cases of suspected plagiarism, unethical research, or publication malpractice.

4. Duties of Reviewers

  • Objectivity: Reviews must be fair, unbiased, and focused on scholarly content.
  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must keep manuscripts confidential and not use unpublished data for personal benefit.
  • Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must disclose any conflicts and decline review if necessary.
  • Ethical Concerns: Reviewers should alert editors to potential ethical issues.

5. Handling of Publication Malpractice

  • Plagiarism: Manuscripts are screened with plagiarism detection software. Detected plagiarism results in rejection or retraction.
  • Data Fabrication/Falsification: Fabricated or manipulated data will result in immediate rejection or retraction.
  • Duplicate Submission: Manuscripts under consideration elsewhere will not be accepted.
  • Authorship Disputes: The journal follows COPE guidelines to resolve disputes fairly.

6. Post-Publication Actions

  • Corrections: Minor errors that do not affect conclusions may be corrected via erratum.
  • Retractions: Serious ethical breaches or errors requiring removal of the article will result in retraction with an official statement.
  • Expressions of Concern: Where misconduct cannot be proven but concerns remain, an expression of concern will be issued.

7. Publisher’s Responsibilities

  • The publisher ensures best practices in publication ethics are followed.
  • The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the academic record and takes allegations of misconduct seriously.

 

Plagiarism Detection:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) maintains a strict anti-plagiarism policy to ensure the originality and integrity of all published content. Plagiarism, in any form, is considered unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.

Definition

Plagiarism involves presenting another person’s work, ideas, or words as one’s own without proper attribution. This includes:

  • Direct copying of text, images, tables, or data.
  • Paraphrasing or rephrasing without adequate citation.
  • Self-plagiarism (reuse of significant portions of one’s own previously published work).

Screening Process

  • All manuscripts submitted to IJMSCRR are screened for plagiarism using reliable and commercially available plagiarism detection software.
  • The acceptable similarity index threshold is 15% (excluding references).
  • If minor similarity is detected, authors will be asked to revise and resubmit.

Consequences

  • Manuscripts found to contain significant plagiarism will be rejected immediately during review.
  • If plagiarism is detected after publication, the article may be retracted, and a notice will be issued on the journal’s website.
  • Authors’ institutions and funding agencies may be notified of serious ethical breaches.

 

Conflict of Interest:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) requires all authors, reviewers, and editors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research, interpretation, or publication of a manuscript.

Definition

A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional relationships could affect their objectivity in conducting, reviewing, or reporting research.

Author Responsibilities

  • Authors must disclose all potential conflicts of interest at the time of submission, including:
    • Financial relationships (e.g., funding, grants, consulting fees, stock ownership).
    • Professional or personal relationships that may bias the work.
    • Intellectual property rights or affiliations that may be affected by publication.

Reviewer and Editor Responsibilities

  • Reviewers and editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists.
  • Any potential bias must be reported to the editorial office immediately.

Declaration

  • A Conflict of Interest Statement must be included in all published articles.
  • If no conflicts exist, authors should state:
    “The authors declare no conflict of interest.”

 

Complaints and Appeals Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and ethical publication process. Authors, reviewers, and readers have the right to raise concerns or appeal editorial decisions.

Scope of Complaints

Complaints may include, but are not limited to:

  • Unreasonable delays in manuscript processing.
  • Perceived bias or unfair editorial/reviewer comments.
  • Ethical concerns regarding handling of manuscripts or published content.
  • Breach of editorial policies or publication ethics.

Appeals Process

  • Authors may appeal a decision to reject a manuscript by submitting a written explanation to the editorial office within 30 days of the decision.
  • The appeal will be reviewed by an independent senior editor or editorial board member not involved in the original decision.
  • The final decision after appeal is binding.

How to Submit a Complaint or Appeal

Complaints and appeals should be sent via email to the editorial office at:
editor@ijmscrr.in
All submissions will be acknowledged within 7 working days and handled confidentially.

 

Corrections, Retractions & Withdrawals Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) maintains a strict policy to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the scholarly record.

1. Corrections (Errata)

  • Corrections are issued when a minor error (e.g., typographical or formatting error) does not affect the study's results, conclusions, or overall integrity.
  • A correction notice will be published and linked to the original article.

2. Retractions

  • Retractions are issued when a published article contains major errors or evidence of research misconduct, including:
    • Data fabrication or falsification.
    • Plagiarism or copyright violation.
    • Unethical research practices.
  • A retraction notice will be published, clearly stating the reason for retraction.
  • The original article will be watermarked as “Retracted” but remain accessible to maintain the scholarly record.

3. Withdrawals

  • Authors may request withdrawal of a manuscript before acceptance, stating valid reasons in writing.
  • Post-publication withdrawal is allowed only in rare and exceptional circumstances (e.g., serious ethical violations or legal issues).
  • Withdrawal requests are reviewed by the editorial board and subject to approval.

4. COPE Compliance

All corrections, retractions, and withdrawals follow the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

 

Data Sharing Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) supports transparency, reproducibility, and integrity in research by encouraging authors to share the data underlying their findings.

1. Author Responsibilities

  • Authors should make all relevant data, materials, and methods available to readers, reviewers, and other researchers upon reasonable request.
  • Data should be deposited in a trusted public repository where possible (e.g., Dryad, Figshare, Zenodo, GenBank).

2. Data Availability Statement

  • All manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement describing:
    • Where the data can be accessed, including DOI or repository links, OR
    • A justification if data cannot be shared (e.g., privacy, ethical restrictions).

3. Acceptable Data Formats

  • Data may include raw data, processed data, software code, protocols, or other materials required to replicate the study.
  • Datasets should be in widely used, non-proprietary formats wherever possible.

4. Exceptions

  • Data sharing may be restricted due to:
    • Privacy concerns (e.g., patient confidentiality).
    • Legal or ethical considerations.
    • Proprietary restrictions.

5. Compliance

This policy follows best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

 

Privacy Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

1. Collection of Information

  • We collect personal information such as name, email address, institutional affiliation, and contact details during manuscript submission, review, and publication processes.
  • This information is used solely for editorial and publication purposes and will not be shared with third parties without consent.

2. Use of Information

  • Personal data may be used for:
    • Managing manuscript submissions and peer review.
    • Communication regarding journal policies, updates, or published content.
    • Maintaining indexing, archiving, and citation records.

3. Data Protection

  • We implement security measures to protect data against unauthorized access, misuse, or loss.
  • User accounts are password-protected, and access to editorial data is restricted to authorized personnel only.

4. Cookies and Website Usage

  • Our website may use cookies to improve user experience and track site performance. Users may disable cookies in their browser settings if preferred.

5. Third-Party Links

  • The journal website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of such sites.

6. Compliance

This policy complies with applicable data protection regulations and best practices recommended by COPE and ICMJE.

 

Reviewer Guidelines:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) follows a double-blind peer review process to ensure fairness, transparency, and high scientific quality. Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of published research.

1. Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Provide an objective, constructive, and timely evaluation of the manuscript.
  • Maintain confidentiality of the manuscript and review process.
  • Declare any potential conflict of interest (financial, academic, or personal) before accepting a review assignment.
  • Evaluate manuscripts based on scientific merit, originality, ethical standards, and clarity of presentation.

2. Review Criteria

Reviewers should assess:

  • Significance and originality of the research.
  • Clarity and validity of methodology and results.
  • Relevance of discussion and conclusions.
  • Proper citation of previous work and compliance with ethical standards.

3. Ethical Considerations

  • Do not use unpublished data for personal research.
  • Report any suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, or ethical misconduct to the editorial team.

4. Timeliness

  • Reviews should be completed within the specified deadline (usually 2–3 weeks).
  • If more time is needed, notify the editor promptly.

5. Communication

  • Submit recommendations clearly (Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, Reject).
  • Provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.

 

Repository Policy:

The International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) supports the self-archiving of research articles to promote open access and the broad dissemination of knowledge.

Preprint Policy

  • Authors may deposit preprint versions (before peer review) of their manuscripts in institutional or subject repositories.
  • Preprints should clearly state that the article has not yet been peer-reviewed and include a link to the final published version when available.

Postprint and Published Version Policy

  • Authors are allowed to deposit the accepted manuscript (postprint) and/or final published version (publisher’s PDF) in:
    • Institutional repositories
    • Subject repositories
    • Author’s personal website or funding body repositories
  • The final version must include proper citation and link to the version of record on the IJMSCRR website.

License & Copyright

  • All archived versions must include a statement of copyright and the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

 

License Policy:

  • All articles published in the International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research & Review (IJMSCRR) are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
  • Under this license, users are free to:
    • Share – Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
    • Adapt – Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
  • Conditions:
    • Proper attribution must be given to the original authors and source.
    • A link to the license must be provided.
    • Indicate if changes were made to the original work.
  • The full text of the license can be found at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/