PEER-REVIEW POLICY

Human-Led Peer Review Commitment

At The Gazette of Medical Sciences (The GMS), all manuscripts undergo a rigorous, human-led peer-review process. We do not rely on automated or AI-based systems for editorial decision-making. Every submission is carefully evaluated by qualified editors and expert reviewers to ensure scientific accuracy, originality, and academic integrity.

Review Policy

All submitted manuscripts that adhere to the journal’s guidelines are considered for peer review. Manuscripts deemed by the editors to be outside the scope of the journal or of insufficient scientific interest may be rejected without external review.

Manuscripts of potential interest are typically sent to two or three independent reviewers, and occasionally more if specialized expertise is required (e.g., statistical analysis or specific methodologies). Based on reviewers’ feedback, editors make a final decision, which may include:

• Acceptance, with or without minor editorial revisions
• Rejection with an invitation to revise and resubmit
• Rejection due to insufficient scientific rigor, inadequate data, or major technical concerns

Reviewers may recommend a course of action; however, final decisions are made by the editors, who may consider differing reviewer perspectives. The most valuable reviews provide clear, constructive, and evidence-based evaluations to support editorial decisions.

Reviewer Selection

Reviewers are selected based on their subject expertise, prior review experience, responsiveness, and relevance to the submitted manuscript. Potential reviewers are contacted prior to assignment to confirm their availability.

Reviewers are expected to provide timely, thorough, and well-reasoned evaluations. Authors are encouraged to suggest potential reviewers, ensuring diversity in expertise, geography, and gender.

TheGMS is committed to an efficient and transparent editorial process. Reviewers are requested to adhere to agreed timelines. In case of delays, reviewers are expected to inform the editorial office so that authors can be kept updated and alternative arrangements can be made if necessary.

Review System

TheGMS follows a double-blind peer-review system. The review process is confidential, and the identities of both authors and reviewers are not disclosed at any stage of the publication process.

Editors, authors, and reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all aspects of the review process. Reviewers must not share or disclose manuscript content without prior permission from the editorial office.

If a reviewer seeks input from a colleague, prior approval from the editor must be obtained, and confidentiality must be maintained. The names of any contributing individuals should be disclosed to the journal along with the review report.

All correspondence, reviewer comments, and related materials are treated as confidential and must not be published, shared, or disclosed without prior written consent from the journal, regardless of the manuscript’s publication outcome.