Editorial Policies

Editorial policies related to authorship, corresponding author, and acknowledgments are collectively termed as "Authorship Policies" here. These policies define the criteria for authorship, the roles and responsibilities of the corresponding author, and guidelines for acknowledging individuals and organizations that have contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship. Authorship policies are crucial for ensuring transparency, fairness, and integrity in the publication process.

Authorship

Authorship gives researchers credit for their contributions to a study and entails responsibility. The Medsci Publication journals, including the NJMR, expect authors to follow recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) for the authorship of a paper. The ICMJE recommends the following four criteria for authorship:

1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work
2. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content
3. Final approval of the version to be published
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

In addition to these criteria, we also require that authors meet the following additional criteria, such as:

5. Participation in the writing of the manuscript or substantial revision of its intellectual content
6. Approval of the final version of the manuscript
7. Agreement to be responsible for all aspects of the work in ensuring its accuracy and completeness.

It's important to note that all authors should meet all of the authorship criteria and not just one or two. Furthermore, individuals who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged for their contributions in the acknowledgments section of the manuscript.

When an article is submitted to the NJMR, the journal assumes that all of the listed authors have reviewed and approved of all of the contents, as well as the author list and author contribution statements. Any modifications that are made to the author list after it has been submitted, whether it be a change in the order of the authors, the deletion or addition of authors, or any other alteration, need to be accepted by all of the authors.

The institution at which the author(s) did the majority of their work ought to serve as the primary affiliation for that author(s). If an author has relocated since the work was written, the new address can be included in addition to the previous one.

Before or after the work has been published, the editors are unable to conduct investigations or provide decisions regarding authorship disputes. If such conflicts can't be settled among the authors, they should be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities at the relevant institution.

A group of authors working together can be referred to as a consortium. In the event that it is required, individual writers have the option of being included on both the primary author list and the member list of a consortium. At the very end of the work, all authors who were part of a consortium need to be listed. 

When submitting a work, authors are obligated to include a statement of responsibility that outlines the specific contributions made by each author.

All authors are strongly encouraged to supply their Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier (ORCID) iDs in order to promote transparency and ensure that academic contributions are attributed in a clear and unambiguous manner.

In the event that an author has changed their name after publication for any cause that is considered to be valid, they have the right to request that their name and any other pertinent biographical information be altered.

Corresponding Author

The corresponding author of a research manuscript is responsible for the following:

1. Communication: The corresponding author is the primary point of contact between the journal and the authors of the manuscript. They are responsible for communicating with the journal throughout the submission, review, and publication processes.
2. Manuscript submission: The corresponding author is responsible for submitting the manuscript to the journal on behalf of all authors. They are also responsible for ensuring that the manuscript conforms to the journal's guidelines and requirements.
3. Authorship: The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all authors meet the criteria for authorship and that they have agreed to be listed as authors on the manuscript.
4. Conflict of interest: The corresponding author is responsible for disclosing any potential conflicts of interest related to the manuscript, including financial, personal, or professional conflicts. Please refer to our competing interests (COI)' policy for more information.
5. Review process: The corresponding author is responsible for communicating with the journal regarding the review process, including responding to reviewer comments and making revisions to the manuscript as requested.
6. Publication: The corresponding author is responsible for reviewing the proofs and approving the final version of the manuscript before publication. They are also responsible for ensuring that all authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Overall, the corresponding author plays a key role in the publication process and is responsible for ensuring that the manuscript is prepared and submitted in accordance with the journal's guidelines and requirements.

Acknowledgements

What should be included?

The acknowledgement section may be used to thank anyone who contributed significantly to the work but is not eligible for authorship. Contributors who meet the authorship criteria and are listed as authors should not be listed in the acknowledgements section. Before submission, authors should carefully consider the contributions of each researcher and assess their authorship criteria.

The section is also used to disclose pertinent funding information. We recommend authors acknowledge all the funders and grants for research and/or publications in this section.

What should not be included?

This section should not be used to declare any type of competing interest, whether financial or non-financial. These should be declared separately in a statement of conflicting interests (COI).

There should be no mention of anonymous referees or editors, superfluous words, or effusive praise in the acknowledgements.

We recognise the importance of maintaining confidentiality in human research and uphold it for all submitted manuscripts, reviewer comments, and editorial decision-making processes. All information submitted to our journal is considered confidential and will be treated as such.

Role of Author

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscript does not contain any confidential information that could compromise the confidentiality of their research participants or institutions. We ask authors to ensure that any confidential information is appropriately anonymized or masked to protect the identity of individuals or organisations involved in the research.

Role of Reviewer

Reviewers are required to maintain the confidentiality of the manuscripts they review and the comments they provide. Reviewers should not discuss the manuscript with anyone outside of the journal or use any of the information contained in it for their own purposes.

Role of Editor

Editorial members are responsible for ensuring that all information related to the manuscript, including reviewer comments and editorial decision-making processes, is kept confidential. Unless otherwise declared, the peer review process is confidential and conducted anonymously; the identities of reviewers are not released. Editorial members should not discuss the manuscript, or any information related to it with anyone outside of the journal or use any of the information contained in the manuscript for their own purposes.

Disciplinary Action in case of Breach of Policy

We reserve the right to take appropriate action, against individuals who breach our confidentiality policy. This may include disclosing the breach to relevant parties and revoking an individual's privileges to submit, review, or edit manuscripts for our journal.

We believe that maintaining the confidentiality of our authors, reviewers, and editorial members is essential for maintaining the integrity and credibility of our journal's content. Therefore, we take confidentiality seriously and expect all individuals involved in the publication process to respect our confidentiality policy.

We believe in maintaining the highest standards of integrity and credibility for the content published in our journal. In keeping with this philosophy, we have established a set of Post Publication Policies to address any issues that may arise after a manuscript has been published in our journal.

The following are categories of corrections and post-publication updates to peer-reviewed articles.

Publisher’s Correction: A Publisher Correction may be published to correct an important error(s) made by the journal that affects the scientific integrity of the published article, the publication record, or the reputation of the authors or of the journal.

Author’s Corrections: We understand that errors or omissions may occur despite our best efforts to ensure the accuracy of published content. If author identify an error in a published article, it should be brought to our notice promptly. Any correction suggested by the author will also be considered after review by the editorial team and will be published, if found suitable, keeping the integrity and credibility of the content as a priority. Corrections will be made to the online version of the article and will include a clear explanation of the error and the corrected information.

Withdrawal of article:  We take any breaches of ethical conduct, including plagiarism, fraud, or other forms of misconduct, very seriously. If we receive credible evidence of such misconduct, we will promptly investigate the matter and, if necessary, the affected article will be withdrawn from online content. Withdrawal notification will be issued to alert readers to the issue and will include a clear explanation of the reason for the withdrawal.

Changes in Name of Author: For authors who have changed their name for any genuine reason and wish to correct it on their published works, they may request a change in their name and other relevant biographical information.

Addon: An addon is generally published when significant additional information crucial to the reader’s understanding of the article has come to light following its publication.

Expressions of Concern: In some cases, we may become aware of potential issues with a published article that require further investigation but do not warrant an immediate retraction. In such cases, we will issue an Expression of Concern to alert readers to the issue and indicate that an investigation is ongoing.

We believe that maintaining transparency and responsiveness is essential for maintaining the integrity and credibility of our journal's content. Therefore, we take post-publication issues seriously and will promptly address any concerns that are brought to our attention.

Researchers have an ethical obligation to uphold intellectual integrity and prevent preventable damages that may occur during their studies.

Fundamental Principles of Research Ethics

The fundamental principles of research ethics that require maximising potential benefits and minimising potential damages. The ethical conduct of research in the humanities and sciences is guided by these principles.

The researchers are expected to follow the following guidelines:

The World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki;

The Belmont Report;

International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans;

Ethics in Social Science and Humanities

 Dignity and Right of Research Participants

We are committed to upholding the dignity and rights of research participants, individuals or groups associated with the research, and the communities in which the research is conducted. We expect all individuals involved in research and publications, including authors, reviewers, and editorial members, to uphold these standards. In submitted manuscripts, authors should use inclusive, and non-stigmatizing language. Authors should avoid using stereotypes and cultural assumptions in their writing. We advise avoiding descriptors that refer to attributes such as race, ethnicity, national or social origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, political or other beliefs, age, disease, disability, and other group descriptors unless they are relevant. It is also necessary to respect the rights of non-human life, natural resources, and the environment.

Respect for Diversity

All research involving human subjects should respect the diversity of participants' backgrounds, values, beliefs, and cultures. Researchers should take appropriate measures to ensure that the research procedures and materials are accessible and understandable to all participants. Participants should have the right to express their opinions and concerns related to the research without discrimination or prejudice.

Sex and Gender Equity in Research

All researchers should ensure send and gender equity in their conduct of research and reporting the findings. Researchers are encouraged to follow the ‘Sex and Gender Equity in Research – SAGER – guidelines’ and to include sex and gender considerations where relevant.

Protection from Harm

All research involving human subjects should prioritize the safety and well-being of participants. Researchers should use appropriate measures to minimize the risks and harms associated with the research procedures. Participants should have the right to report any adverse events or experiences related to their participation and receive appropriate support and care.

Studies involving Vulnerable Groups

The journal is committed to protecting the dignity and rights of research participants, particularly those who are considered vulnerable due to their age, mental or physical condition, or social circumstances. We require all research studies involving vulnerable groups to adhere to ethical principles, including obtaining informed consent. All kinds of personal data, like biological, clinical, and genetic data, need permission. If requested, consent must be supported up by documentation.

Images of Human Research Participants

Our journal recognises the importance of respecting the privacy and dignity of human research participants when publishing images. All authors must obtain written consent from research participants before publishing any images that could identify them, including photographs, videos, and other visual materials. Images submitted without the consent of the participants or without protection of anonymity in the image may lead to the removal of the image from the manuscript.

Clinical Trials

The importance of clinical trials in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care has been recognised by the journal. Before enrolment of any participants, the trial must be registered in the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), in ClinicalTrials.gov, or in any open access database.  We require all clinical trials submitted for publication to adhere to ethical principles, including obtaining informed consent, protecting participant privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing harm and exploitation. Authors must follow international guidelines for reporting clinical trials, including the CONSORT Statement for reporting the findings. Nonadherence of these policies will be subject to appropriate actions, including revision or decline of submitted article and retraction of published articles.

Research involving Bio-material.

Our medical journal recognizes the importance of research involving biomaterials, including human tissues, cells, and fluids. We require all authors to follow the BRISQ reporting guidelines. The principles laid out in the 2016 ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Applications of Stem Cells must be followed in any experiment involving any material related to human embryos, gametes, and stem cell. Any violations of these policies will be subject to appropriate actions, including retraction of published articles and revocation of privileges to submit, review, or edit manuscripts for our journal.

Misuse of Research Publication

Some manuscript includes information that, if misused, might seriously compromise public health, safety, or security. In such circumstances, researchers must adhere to the standards set out by their institutes. They should also adhere to the requirement of their financial supporters. Above all they must also adhere any applicable local, state, or national laws. They need to be alert to the potential for their research to be misused and to take measures to prevent this.

Approval of Ethical Committee

Authors must take approval of recognised ethics committee before initiation of data collection. In the submitted manuscript author should include the name of the committee and approval reference number and date of approval. Manuscripts must also mention about the detail process of obtaining inform consent from each of the research participants. In case the study doesn’t require to take informed consent, details of the ethics committee granting exemption of informed consent should be included in the manuscript.

Research involving Animal

Though the NJMR does not publish research involving animal, in case of any such remote involvement, relevant guideline must be abided.

We require all authors, reviewers, and editorial board members to disclose any competing interests (COI) that may influence their judgement or actions in conducting or reporting research. COI may include financial, personal, or professional relationships or interests that could be perceived as influencing the research process or results.

Types of COI that may arise in medical research publications include:

1. Financial interests: such as funding from companies that produce products related to the research, employment or consultancy relationships, and ownership or investments in relevant companies.
2. Personal interests: such as personal or political beliefs that may influence the research, or personal relationships with individuals or organisations related to the research.
3. Professional interests: Such as academic or career advancement, which may be influenced by the publication of research results.

Before publication, the editorial team reviews the COI declaration form that authors are required to complete. If a COI exists, it will be disclosed in the manuscript, and the editorial team will take it into account when assessing the manuscript's validity and relevance.

Completing interest of reviewers

Reviewers are asked to disclose any COI that could influence their review of a manuscript. If a COI exists, the editorial team will take it into account when considering the reviewer's comments.

Completing interest of editorial board members

Editorial members are required to disclose any COI that may influence their decision-making or actions related to the journal. If a COI exists, the editorial team will take appropriate measures to manage the COI and ensure that the journal's content remains impartial and of high quality.

Disclosure of competing interests

We believe that transparency in disclosing COI is essential for ensuring the integrity and credibility of our journal's content. Therefore, we require all individuals involved in the publication process to disclose any COI and manage them appropriately.

We reserve the right to request additional information or clarification from authors, reviewers, or editorial members regarding their COI declaration.

The NJMR does not require authors to transfer the copyright of their published work to the journal. Authors grant the NJMR first publication right. Author can reuse their papers in their future printed work without requiring permission from the publisher of the journal.

Creative commons licences

Open access articles in the NJMR are published under a CC BY SA license (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License). Under Creative Commons, authors retain copyright in their articles. The CC BY SA allows for maximum dissemination and re-use of open access materials. Under this license, users are free to share (copy, distribute and transmit) and remix (adapt) the contribution including for commercial purposes, providing they attribute the contribution in the manner specified by the author or licensor.

Self-archiving policy

We encourage our authors to share their research publications by self-archiving their work in public repositories or on personal websites. Authors may self-archive their accepted manuscript version, including any revisions made in response to peer review, immediately after acceptance for publication. Authors are also permitted to share their final published article, including any editor's corrections.

Any self-archived version of the manuscript must include a citation to the published article in our journal. We recommend that authors deposit their manuscript in a repository that follows best practices for preservation and long-term access.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that any self-archiving of their work does not infringe upon copyright or any other legal or ethical considerations, including permissions from co-authors, or funders. We do not assume any liability for any copyright infringement resulting from author's self-archiving.

Preprints

Preprints are the author's original version of a research manuscript deposited on a public server prior to formal peer review at a journal; preprints may be posted at any moment during the peer review process.

We recognise the value of preprints in accelerating the dissemination of scientific research and promoting collaboration within the scientific community. Authors are encouraged to post preprints of their manuscripts on preprint servers of their own choice, institutional website, or any other preprint servers prior to submission to the journal.

Posting a preprint does not impact the consideration of the manuscript for publication in our journal. However, authors are required to disclose the existence of any preprint versions of the manuscript during the submission process, including the DOI or other identifier of the preprint, and any subsequent updates or revisions to the preprint.

We may consider manuscripts that have been posted as preprints, but we reserve the right to evaluate the scientific content of the manuscript independently of any preprint versions. Publication of a preprint does not guarantee acceptance of the manuscript for publication in our journal.

Once the preprint manuscript is reviewed by us and is published, authors are responsible for updating the preprint version with a link to the final published article with a DOI and citation to the published article in our journal.

Manuscript deposition service

Article published in the National Journal of Community Medicine are deposited on the LOCKSS system to create a distributed archiving system among participating libraries, allowing those libraries to create permanent archives of the journal for purposes of preservation and restoration.