Peer Review Process

The Academic Medical Journal follows a double-blind review process, meaning that both the authors and the reviewers remain anonymous to each other throughout the review process. This ensures that the evaluation is based solely on the content and quality of the manuscript, rather than on the identity, reputation, or affiliation of the author or reviewer. Reviews are confidential and are not published alongside articles. All submitted manuscripts undergo peer review by external experts who are not part of the editorial board.
  1. Initial Submission: The review process begins when an author submits a manuscript to the journal. This manuscript is first reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief (EIC), who assesses whether the submission aligns with the journal's scope and editorial standards.
  2. Assignment to Section Editor: If the manuscript is deemed suitable, the Editor-in-Chief sends it to the Section Editor, who is responsible for determining the appropriate reviewers.
  3. Double-Blind Review: The manuscript is then sent to two independent reviewers for evaluation. This is done under a double-blind review system, meaning neither the authors nor the reviewers know each other's identities.
  4. Reviewer’s Feedback: The reviewers are given a set period (usually two weeks) to review the manuscript. They provide detailed feedback, which might include suggestions for improvements, questions about the methodology, or concerns regarding the data or analysis. The reviewers then submit their comments to the Section Editor.
  5. Revision by Author: Based on the feedback from the reviewers, the author is asked to make revisions to the manuscript.
  6. Second Round of Review: After the author submits the revised manuscript, the Section Editor decides whether the changes are adequate or if another round of review is necessary. The manuscript may be sent back to the original reviewers for a second round of evaluation to ensure that the revisions meet the required standards. This process continues until the manuscript fully meets all the necessary standards.
  7. Final Decision: The Section Editor, in collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief, makes the final decision on whether to accept, reject, or request further revisions. If the reviewers provide positive feedback after the revisions, the manuscript may be accepted for publication.
  8. Reviewer Timeline: The reviewers are typically expected to accept or decline the invitation to review within one week of being contacted. Once they accept, they have two weeks to complete the review. If they cannot meet the deadline, the Section Editor may need to find alternative reviewers, which can extend the timeline.
  9. Overall Process Timeline: The entire process, from manuscript submission to final decision, typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, although this can vary depending on the complexity of the paper, the availability of reviewers, and the extent of revisions required.