Peer Review Process
Information for Authors:
The Medical Times is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and scholarly quality. To ensure this, Medical Times utilizes a rigorous double-anonymized peer review process that maintains the confidentiality of both reviewers and authors, thereby fostering unbiased evaluations. Below is a detailed outline of the review process for authors submitting their manuscripts via the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform.
Submission
Manuscripts should be submitted through the MTJ OJS platform. Each submission must include:
- Manuscript text
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Any supplementary materials
The system will automatically confirm receipt of the manuscript.
Initial Editorial Screening
The Chief Editor will conduct an initial screening to verify that the manuscript meets the journal's essential criteria, including:
- Relevance to the field of medicine
- Originality
- Adherence to the journal's scope
- Compliance with submission guidelines
Manuscripts not meeting these criteria will be returned to the authors with feedback for revision or rejection.
Assignment to the Editor
If the manuscript passes the initial screening, it will be assigned to an Editor with expertise in the relevant field. The Editor will further assess the manuscript for suitability and check for potential conflicts of interest.
Peer Review
The Section Editor will select at least two expert reviewers for a double-anonymized review process, ensuring the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential. Reviewers will evaluate the manuscript based on:
- Originality
- Methodology
- Significance
- Clarity
Reviewers will provide detailed comments and recommendations for acceptance, revision, or rejection through the OJS platform.
Editorial Decision
The Editor will review the peer reviewers' reports and make a preliminary decision on the manuscript. Possible decisions include:
- Accept without changes
- Accept with minor revisions
- Major revisions required
- Reject
The decision and reviewers' comments will be communicated to the authors through the OJS system.
Revision
Authors should revise their manuscripts as recommended and resubmit them through the OJS platform, addressing reviewers' comments in a response letter. The Editor may either return the revised manuscript to the original reviewers for further evaluation or make a final decision based on the revisions.
- Final Decision
Once the manuscript meets all requirements and revisions, the Editor will make a final decision and inform the authors. Accepted manuscripts will undergo final formatting and editing to ensure compliance with MTJ's publication standards.
- Publication
The final version of the manuscript will be uploaded to the OJS system for final proofreading and layout editing. It will then be scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of MTJ and made available online through the journal's website.
- Post-Publication
Published articles will be accessible online. The OJS system will track metrics such as citations, downloads, and online views.
Information for Reviewers:
The Medical Times relies on the expertise and commitment of its reviewers to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and quality. Below are the guidelines for reviewers to navigate the review process using the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform.
Invitation to Review
Invitation E-mail: You will receive an email invitation to review a manuscript. Click on the provided link to access the journal's website.
Accessing the System: If you forget your username or password, use the link in the editor’s message to retrieve them.
Logging In
Register/Login: Use the “Register” option in the menu to log in to the system.
Active Submissions: Once logged in, the manuscript assigned for review will be listed on the “Active Submissions” page. Click on the article’s title to access the evaluation page.
Initial Steps
Indicate Willingness: Confirm your decision to review by clicking the “I will evaluate” icon. If you choose to decline, click “I will not evaluate” to notify the editor automatically.
Download Manuscript: Click on “file” to download the manuscript and any attachments. You may conduct your assessment on-screen or save the evaluation form for later use.
Conducting the Review
Reviewers should evaluate the manuscript based on the following criteria:
- Originality: Does the work provide new knowledge or insights in the field?
- Methodology: Are the research methods and design appropriate and rigorous?
- Significance: Does the manuscript make a significant contribution to medical science?
- Clarity: Is the manuscript well-written and clearly presented?
Writing the Review
Evaluation Form: After agreeing to evaluate the manuscript, provide your comments and opinions in the evaluation form. Save your input by clicking the icon at the end of this step.
Alternative Format: If preferred, you may use another format (e.g., MS Word) for your evaluation and upload it using the "Send File" option.
Submitting the Review
To submit your evaluation, either fill out the form directly on the system or upload your comments and suggestions using the file upload method. After completing this, choose the appropriate recommendation in the Recommendation box and save your final decision. Confirm your submission by clicking “Submit Review to Editor.” A confirmation message will appear; approve to send your evaluation.
- Confidentiality
Anonymity: Maintain confidentiality throughout the review process. The identities of both authors and reviewers must remain confidential to ensure impartial evaluations. - Post-Review
If the manuscript is revised and resubmitted, you may be asked to review the revised version to ensure that all comments and suggestions have been addressed.
Once the editorial board approves the articles based on the reviewers' reports, they will be scheduled for publication. Articles will be published in the order in which they are received.
