Editors Guidelines

Editors handle manuscripts fairly and without regard to the authors' identity, institution, nationality or ability to pay. They follow the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the Editorial Policies.

All submissions undergo initial editorial screening. Manuscripts that meet the journal's scope and minimum requirements proceed to independent peer review. Editors check scope, ethics statements, reporting-guideline compliance and the data-availability statement, and review the similarity report from Crossref Similarity Check, powered by iThenticate, in context.

Manuscripts that proceed to external peer review are normally evaluated by at least two independent subject-matter experts. Editors select reviewers for subject-matter and methodological expertise, including epidemiological methods where relevant, and avoid reviewers with a conflict of interest, such as recent collaboration, shared institution or competing interest.

Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request.

When double-blind review is requested, editors must ensure that author-identifying information is not shared with reviewers.

Editorial decisions are based on scope, scientific quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, reporting quality, and relevance to the journal. Decisions are to accept, to request minor or major revision, or to reject, and are communicated with the reviewers' comments. Decisions are independent of the article processing charge.

Editors declare any conflict of interest with a manuscript and hand it to another editor. Manuscripts submitted by editors or board members are handled by an editor without a conflict.

Manuscripts and reviews are confidential. Editors do not use or disclose unpublished material. Reviewers must obtain journal permission before using AI to assist with a review. Any permitted use must be disclosed, and confidential manuscript content must not be uploaded where confidentiality cannot be assured.

Editors raise concerns about misconduct, duplicate publication, image manipulation or undisclosed conflicts with the editorial office, and follow COPE flowcharts. Corrections, expressions of concern and retractions follow COPE retraction guidelines.