To maintain high standards of scientific publication quality, UMC Health Sciences Journal applies a double-blind peer review process for all submitted manuscripts following an initial editorial screening. This publication ethics statement is developed based on ethical publishing principles referring to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other international publication ethics guidelines.

Responsibilities of Editors

Publication Decisions

Editors are responsible for determining which manuscripts are eligible for publication based on scientific quality, originality, clarity, validity of the research, and relevance to the journal scope. Editorial decisions are made objectively without discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.

Process Control

Each manuscript is initially screened by the editor to ensure originality using plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are forwarded to reviewers through a double-blind peer review process. Reviewers may recommend acceptance, revision, or rejection. The review process generally takes approximately 28–42 days.

Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and must not disclose information to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and authorized publishing parties.

Conflict of Interest

Editors must not use unpublished materials for personal research purposes without written consent from the author. Editors should also avoid handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest with the authors or affiliated institutions.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Reviewers assist editors in evaluating the quality and eligibility of manuscripts and provide constructive feedback to improve the article.

Promptness

Reviewers who feel unqualified to review a manuscript or unable to complete the review on time should promptly notify the editor.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared with others.

Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively, professionally, and supported by clear scientific arguments without personal criticism of the authors.

Acknowledgement of Sources

Reviewers should ensure that all relevant references and sources are properly cited and notify the editor of any indication of plagiarism or substantial similarity with other publications.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers should not evaluate manuscripts in which they have personal, professional, or institutional relationships that could affect their objectivity.

Responsibilities of Authors

Manuscript Standards

Authors must prepare manuscripts according to the journal guidelines and present research data accurately, clearly, and responsibly. Data fabrication or inaccurate statements constitute unethical publication behavior.

Originality

Authors must submit only original works and appropriately acknowledge all sources and references used in the manuscript.

Multiple or Concurrent Publication

The same manuscript must not be submitted or published in more than one journal simultaneously without proper permission.

Acknowledgement of Sources

Authors must properly acknowledge all data sources, references, and publications used in the research.

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the research. All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission.

Disclosure of Funding and Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose all sources of research funding and any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the research outcomes.

Correction of Errors

If authors discover significant errors in submitted or published manuscripts, they must promptly notify the editor for correction or retraction procedures.

Copyright Agreement

Authors are required to understand and comply with the journal’s copyright policies regarding publication and distribution of scientific articles.