Publication Policies

Insights - Journal of Medical and Dental Research

Advancing Medical and Dental Sciences

About the Journal

Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal dedicated to disseminating high-quality research across the full spectrum of medical, dental, and interdisciplinary health sciences. Published by Health and Research Insights, the journal is committed to advancing clinical practice, fostering scientific innovation, and strengthening global healthcare systems through the publication of rigorous, ethically conducted, and clinically relevant research.

IJMDR serves as a trusted academic platform for clinicians, researchers, academicians, policymakers, and early-career scholars seeking to contribute meaningful insights to the scientific community. The journal upholds transparent editorial processes, strict ethical standards, and robust peer-review mechanisms to ensure the credibility and reliability of all published work.

As part of its commitment to scholarly excellence, IJMDR maintains a clear focus on evidence-based practice, scientific integrity, and open knowledge dissemination. All published articles are freely accessible to readers worldwide, ensuring that research findings reach a broad and diverse audience without financial or geographic barriers. The open-access policy reflects the journal’s mission to promote global equity in accessing scientific knowledge.

The journal is structured to support both disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship, recognizing that modern healthcare increasingly relies on integrated, collaborative approaches. By catering to both medical and dental domains, IJMDR encourages productive cross-pollination of ideas and fosters research that addresses complex, multi-dimensional healthcare challenges.

IJMDR is actively progressing toward indexing in major international databases by aligning its publishing standards with the requirements of DOAJ, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and other global indexing bodies. The journal continually enhances its editorial infrastructure, peer-review processes, digital archiving systems, and publication ethics to ensure compliance with evolving international benchmarks.

Aims and Scope

Aims

The primary aim of the Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research is to serve as a globally recognized platform for disseminating high-quality research that advances clinical practice, scientific understanding, and healthcare innovation. The journal seeks to:

Promote scientifically rigorous, methodologically sound, and clinically applicable research in medicine and dentistry.
Enhance global health outcomes by publishing studies that strengthen diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic strategies, and preventive care.
Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging the gap between clinical medicine, surgical sciences, oral health, and emerging healthcare technologies.
Support early-career researchers and scholars from low-resource settings by providing an inclusive, accessible publishing environment.
Contribute to public health policy, global health initiatives, and evidence-based clinical guidelines.
Uphold the highest standards of research ethics, editorial transparency, and scientific integrity.
Foster open science by ensuring unrestricted access to all published material under a recognized open-access license.

Scope

IJMDR publishes a wide range of scholarly contributions, including original research papers, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical case reports, technical notes, clinical audits, short communications, and expert commentaries. The journal welcomes submissions in all major domains of medical and dental sciences, including but not limited to:

Medical Sciences

Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Primary Care
General Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Urology
Pharmacology, Drug Safety, and Therapeutics
Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging, and Medical Technology
Public Health, Community Medicine, and Epidemiology
Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, and Allied Health Sciences
Pathology, Microbiology, and Laboratory Medicine

Dental Sciences

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, and Restorative Dentistry
Periodontology and Implant Dentistry
Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry and Special Care Dentistry
Dental Public Health and Oral Epidemiology
Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, and Dental Technology

The journal places special emphasis on evidence-based practice, clinical innovation, public health relevance, and interdisciplinary research that contributes to improved patient care and healthcare systems.

Frequency of the Journal

To ensure the timely dissemination of high-quality scientific knowledge, Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) follows a publication frequency that supports stable editorial operations, timely peer review, and consistent visibility for authors and readers.

Publication Frequency Overview

IJMDR is a biannual journal from its inception and continues to publish two issues per year.
2025 – Biannual (2 issues per year)
2026 onward – Biannual (2 issues per year, ongoing)
Publication Structure (Starting 1 January 2025)
IJMDR officially commenced its publication cycle on 1 January 2025, adopting a fixed biannual schedule:
Issue 1 (January–June) – Published during the last week of June
Issue 2 (July–December) – Published during the last week of December
This structure ensures predictability for authors, reviewers, librarians, and indexing services.

Rationale for Biannual Publication

Strengthening Editorial Foundations

The biannual model supports the development of a strong editorial workflow, allowing the journal to maintain rigorous peer review, reliable quality control, and an expanding reviewer network.

Balanced Submission Management

A twice-yearly schedule enables the journal to effectively manage the volume of submissions while ensuring timely decision-making and efficient processing of accepted manuscripts.

Enhanced Visibility and Stability

Biannual publication aligns with emerging journals’ needs by offering stable, high-quality issues that indexing bodies prefer during early-stage indexing assessments.
4. Reduced Author Waiting Times
With well-defined publication windows, authors are informed of expected timelines, ensuring transparency and minimizing unnecessary delays.

Timelines of Publication of Issues

Biannual Publication Schedule (2025 onward)
Since its launch, IJMDR has followed a consistent biannual schedule:
January–June Issue
Published between 25–30 June
July–December Issue
Published between 25–30 December
This structured approach ensures punctual release of issues and supports strategic editorial planning.

Editorial Workflow and Predictability

To maintain transparency and smooth operations:
Accepted articles are placed in the upcoming available issue unless revisions or formatting require extra time.
Authors are notified of their expected publication timeline at the acceptance stage.
The journal website updates issue availability and articles-in-press to keep stakeholders well-informed.

Peer Review Policy and Process

The Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) maintains a rigorous, transparent, and ethically grounded peer review policy designed to ensure scientific accuracy, editorial integrity, and high-quality scholarly communication. Our peer review framework adheres to the global standards set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

The peer review system functions as the backbone of IJMDR’s quality assurance mechanism, ensuring that all published work contributes meaningfully to medical and dental research while upholding methodological robustness and ethical compliance.

Overview of the Peer Review Model

IJMDR employs a double-blind peer review system, in which both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process. This approach eliminates personal or professional bias and ensures judgments are based solely on scientific merit, clarity, and originality.

Objectives of Peer Review

Evaluate the scientific accuracy, validity, and methodological quality of the manuscript.
Assess whether the research contributes meaningful advancements to medical or dental science.
Ensure compliance with ethical, regulatory, and scholarly publishing norms.
Support authors through constructive feedback that enhances clarity, rigor, and scientific contribution.
Safeguard the integrity of the scholarly record by filtering out submissions that lack originality, contain ethical breaches, or present compromised data.

Peer review is not designed to serve as a barrier but as a mechanism of collaborative academic refinement, improving the quality and impact of every published article.

Peer Review Workflow: From Submission to Decision

The IJMDR peer review process is systematic, transparent, and optimized for efficiency. The journal strives to complete the entire review cycle within 15–25 days, depending on manuscript complexity and reviewer responsiveness.

Step 1: Initial Editorial Screening

Upon submission, the Editor-in-Chief or assigned Associate Editor conducts a preliminary evaluation to determine:

Alignment with the journal’s scope
Scientific relevance and contribution
Ethical compliance
Structural completeness
Language clarity
Similarity index (Turnitin generated)

Manuscripts failing to meet basic criteria may be desk rejected to avoid unnecessary delays for authors and reviewers.

Step 2: Reviewer Selection

IJMDR assigns at least two independent experts from the relevant field to review each manuscript.

Reviewer selection criteria include:

Subject matter expertise
Research and publication experience
No conflicts of interest with authors
Demonstrated integrity and compliance with ethical review standards

Reviewers are selected from IJMDR’s dynamic and diverse reviewer database, which includes specialists from medicine, dentistry, allied health sciences, epidemiology, pharmacology, biotechnology, and related fields.

Step 3: Double-Blind Peer Review

Each reviewer evaluates the manuscript through the journal’s standardized review form, assessing:

Originality and significance
Study design, methodology, and data analysis
Accuracy and completeness of results
Ethical compliance (human/animal research, informed consent, IRB approvals)
Presentation clarity and organization
Appropriateness of references
Contribution to existing literature

Reviewers provide:

A formal recommendation (Accept / Minor Revision / Major Revision / Reject)
Detailed comments for authors
Confidential comments for the editorial board (optional)

Step 4: Consolidation of Reviews and Editorial Decision

The Editor evaluates all reviewer reports and makes one of the following decisions:

Accept without changes
Accept with minor revisions
Major revisions required
Reject with the option to resubmit
Reject outright

Editorial decisions are final and are communicated to the authors with full reviewer feedback.

Step 5: Author Revision and Resubmission

Authors are expected to:

Address all reviewer comments point-by-point
Highlight changes using track changes or colored text
Provide a detailed response letter

Revised manuscripts undergo:

Minor revisions: Editorial review only
Major revisions: Re-review by original reviewers

Step 6: Final Acceptance and Production

Once approved, the manuscript proceeds to:

Copyediting
Typesetting
Proofreading
DOI assignment
Online-first publication

This ensures consistency, formatting accuracy, and professional presentation.

Ethical Safeguards in Peer Review

IJMDR strictly enforces ethical review standards:

Reviewer Confidentiality

Reviewers cannot:

Share manuscripts
Use data for personal benefit
Contact authors directly

Bias and Conflict Prevention

Reviewers must decline assignments if they have:

Recent collaboration with the authors
Financial or personal relationships
Any perceived conflict that may impair objectivity

Misconduct Reporting

Reviewers are encouraged to flag:

Plagiarism
Data manipulation or conflicting results
Ethical violations
Duplicate publications

IJMDR follows COPE investigation flowcharts when misconduct is suspected.

Standard Reviewer’s Guidelines

Reviewers form the foundation of scholarly quality control. IJMDR provides detailed reviewer guidelines to ensure consistency, scientific rigor, fairness, and adherence to international ethics.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

Provide objective and balanced evaluations
Maintain confidentiality
Respond within assigned timelines
Avoid unnecessary delay or personal criticism
Ensure recommendations are supported by evidence

Core Reviewer Duties

Assess manuscript originality
Evaluate study design and methodology
Examine statistical rigor and validity
Analyze results for accuracy and clarity
Verify ethical compliance (IRB approval, informed consent)
Confirm references are credible and current
Provide constructive suggestions for improvement

Evaluation Criteria for Reviewers

Reviewers should evaluate the manuscript according to the following dimensions:

Scientific Merit

Significance of research question
Soundness of hypothesis
Robustness of methodology
Adequacy of sample size
Rigor of data analysis
Validity of conclusions

Ethical Standards

Compliance with human/animal research ethics
Transparency in consent and data handling
Declaration of conflicts of interest

Manuscript Quality

Clarity of writing
Logical structure
Consistency in presentation
Correct use of terminology
Appropriateness of tables, figures, and charts

Novelty and Contribution

Does the study advance scientific knowledge?
Does it address a gap in literature?
Is its clinical or scientific relevance justified?

Reviewer Conduct and Integrity

Reviewers must:

Decline reviews outside their expertise
Declare conflicts immediately
Not contact the authors directly
Not misuse unpublished data
Not involve third parties without journal permission
Uphold fairness and professionalism

Confidentiality Requirements

Manuscripts are confidential documents.
No data may be copied, stored, or shared.
Do not discuss the manuscript with colleagues.
Do not use research concepts for personal projects prior to publication.

Recommendations Reviewers May Provide

Reviewers must provide one of the following decisions:

Accept
Minor revisions required
Major revisions required
Reject – scientifically unsound
Reject – out of scope

Each recommendation must be supported with clear justification.

Originality and Plagiarism Policy

IJMDR enforces a strict policy to ensure originality, uphold academic integrity, and prevent plagiarism in all forms. This policy is aligned with COPE, ICMJE, and WAME best practices.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

Copying text without citation
Paraphrasing without acknowledgment
Self-plagiarism or duplicate publication
Submitting previously published work
Using AI-generated text without disclosure
Fabrication or manipulation of data
Using images, figures, or tables without permission

Plagiarism undermines scientific credibility and violates ethical research standards.

Screening Procedure

IJMDR uses Turnitin plagiarism detection software.

Similarity Threshold

Less than 20% acceptable (excluding references)
Matches above the threshold require revision or clarification
>35% similarity results in immediate rejection

Handling Plagiarism

If plagiarism is identified:

Before Review

Manuscript returned for correction or desk rejected

During Review

Manuscript placed on hold
Authors must respond with explanations or corrections
Serious cases lead to rejection

After Publication

In accordance with COPE guidelines, the journal may:

Retract the article
Publish a formal notice
Notify the author’s institution
Ban authors from future submissions

Subscription Details

IJMDR follows a gold open-access publishing model to ensure unrestricted access and broad dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Open Access Policy

All articles are freely accessible immediately upon publication
No subscription fees or reader charges
Content may be read, downloaded, shared, or cited without restriction
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)

This supports IJMDR’s mission of equitable global knowledge access.

Benefits for Readers and Institutions

Readers

Free access to all issues and articles
No registration required
Permanent availability through digital archiving and DOI assignment

Institutions and Libraries

No subscription costs
Free use for teaching, training, and research
Inclusion in institutional repositories

Indexing and Discoverability

IJMDR is actively working toward indexing in:

DOAJ
Scopus
PubMed
Web of Science
Google Scholar
ResearchGate
Semantic Scholar
OpenAlex

Open-access models significantly enhance citation rates and visibility.

Archiving and Preservation

IJMDR uses:

LOCKSS
CLOCKSS
Institutional repositories

to ensure long-term preservation and availability of published research.

Journal Operations

The Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) operates through a transparent, ethically grounded, and internationally aligned publishing framework designed to ensure scientific integrity, editorial quality, and efficient dissemination of high-impact research. Every operational component—ranging from manuscript submission to publication, archiving, indexing, and author support—is built on best practices approved by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

The journal’s operational mechanisms are designed to serve authors, reviewers, readers, and global research communities with fairness, clarity, and accessibility.

Governance Structure

IJMDR functions under a professional governance model consisting of:

Editor-in-Chief

Provides strategic leadership to ensure the scientific quality of the journal.
Oversees editorial policies, peer review integrity, and final publication decisions.
Ensures adherence to international ethical and publishing standards.

Associate Editors & Sectional Editors

Manage manuscripts in specialized domains of medicine and dentistry.
Facilitate the peer review process, reviewer assignment, and manuscript evaluation.
Ensure timely communication with authors and reviewers.

Editorial Board

Composed of experienced global researchers.
Advises on journal development, quality enhancement, and scientific direction.
Upholds diversity, fairness, and international representation.

Advisory Committee

Provides expert perspectives on emerging scientific trends.
Guides sustainability, indexing progression, and global expansion.

Managing Editor & Support Staff

Coordinate technical operations including submission tracking, formatting, production, and communication.
Manage editorial correspondence, issue compilation, and dissemination.

Manuscript Management System

IJMDR uses an advanced online manuscript handling system that supports:

Online submission
Automated tracking
Blind peer review workflow
Version control
Reviewer management
Automated notifications
Compliance checks

Authors receive timely updates at every stage, ensuring transparency and predictability.

Operational Timelines

Operational workflow is optimized for efficiency while maintaining rigor:

Stage	Standard Duration	Processes
Initial editorial screening	2–5 days	Scope alignment, plagiarism screening, format compliance
Reviewer assignment	3–7 days	Reviewer selection, COI verification
Peer review	10–20 days	Scientific evaluation, feedback generation
Author revision (minor)	3–7 days	Corrections and response
Author revision (major)	7–21 days	Reanalysis and restructuring
Final decision	2–3 days	Editorial board review
Proofing & typesetting	5–7 days	Copyediting, layout formatting
Publication	Immediate online-first	DOI assignment and indexing

This operational structure ensures that decisions are timely, scientific rigor is upheld, and authors experience a professionally streamlined workflow.

Issue Compilation & Production

For each issue:

Article Selection

Selections are based on scientific merit, reviewer recommendations, and thematic relevance.

Copyediting

Articles undergo intensive copyediting for:

Language clarity
Technical accuracy
Terminology standardization
Formatting consistency

Typesetting

Final formatted articles are designed using international standards for:

Abstract structure
Figures and tables
Graphics quality (300 dpi minimum)
Reference formatting

Proof Approval

Authors review final proofs to ensure accuracy in:

Affiliations
Figures, tables, equations
Reference citations
Data presentation

Publication & DOI Assignment

Each article receives a unique DOI for permanent global traceability.

Quality Assurance Systems
Anti-plagiarism Measures

All submissions pass through Turnitin similarity analysis.

Ethical Compliance Checks

Manuscripts must include:

Institutional ethical approval
Informed consent
Animal research statements
Conflict-of-interest disclosures
Funding transparency

Data Integrity Verification

Raw data, datasets, analysis codes, images, and research instruments may be requested.

Editorial Review Meetings

The editorial board meets quarterly to evaluate:

Journal performance
Scientific quality metrics
Reviewer activity
Indexing progress
Community engagement

International Indexing Preparation

Dedicated teams prepare metadata, XML files, and journal issue files for indexing bodies.

Transparency in Journal Operations

IJMDR ensures operational transparency through:

Clear editorial policies
Open-access publishing
Author-friendly submission guidelines
Publication ethics adherence
Accessibility for global researchers
Publicly available COI, funding, and transparency statements

Ethics Statement: Ethical Consent, Guidelines & Malpractice Policy

IJMDR maintains a strict ethical framework based on COPE, ICMJE, and WAME guidelines. These policies safeguard research integrity and ensure trustworthiness in scholarly communication.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors
Research Integrity

Authors must ensure:

Accuracy of data
Authenticity of results
Transparency in methodology
No fabrication, falsification, or manipulation

Ethical Approval

All studies involving:

Human participants
Medical records
Biological samples
Clinical interventions
Animal subjects

must provide ethical clearance from an authorized Institutional Review Board or Ethics Committee.

Informed Consent

Authors must confirm:

Participants provided voluntary, informed consent
Guardians consented for minors
Images or identifiable data have publication consent

Clinical Trial Registration

Interventional studies should be registered in a recognized registry including:

ClinicalTrials.gov
WHO ICTRP
EU Clinical Trials Register

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors must:

Maintain confidentiality
Avoid conflicts of interest
Make decisions purely on academic merit
Ensure fair, unbiased, and timely review
Investigate allegations of misconduct thoroughly

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers must:

Maintain confidentiality
Declare conflicts of interest
Not use unpublished material for personal research
Provide objective, evidence-based feedback
Report ethical concerns, plagiarism, or data manipulation

Malpractice Statement

IJMDR takes allegations of misconduct seriously and follows COPE flowcharts in responding to:

Plagiarism
Duplicate publication
Data fabrication
Authorship disputes
Unethical research practices
Fraudulent peer review
Undisclosed conflicts of interest

Procedures for Handling Misconduct

Pre-publication Misconduct

Actions include:

Manuscript rejection
Author notification
Institutional reporting (if necessary)

Post-publication Misconduct

Actions may include:

Retraction
Expression of concern
Correction
Removal (rare, only if legally required)
Reporting to institutions

Retraction Standards

Articles are retracted when:

Data are unreliable
Ethical guidelines are violated
Plagiarism is significant
Findings cannot be verified
Legal/ethical issues arise

Retraction notices are:

Permanently available
Linked to the original article
Fully transparent

Privacy Statement

IJMDR is committed to safeguarding the confidentiality, privacy, and security of personal data belonging to authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. This policy aligns with global data protection standards, including GDPR principles.

Information Collected

IJMDR collects essential information such as:

Names
Emails
Affiliations
ORCID IDs
Contact details
Submission files

The data is used solely for editorial communication and journal operations.

Use of Personal Information

Information is strictly used for:

Manuscript processing
Reviewer communication
Editorial decision-making
Journal notifications
Publication metadata
Indexing

No data is sold or shared with third parties.

Confidentiality Safeguards

Manuscripts are accessible only to authorized editors and reviewers.
Reviewers cannot download, distribute, or store manuscripts beyond the review purpose.
Data is protected through secure digital infrastructure and encrypted systems.

User Rights

Individuals may:

Request access to their data
Update or correct information
Withdraw consent
Request account deletion

Data Retention Policy

IJMDR retains data only for:

Legal compliance
Publication archiving
Editorial history
Scientific reproducibility

Data is removed when no longer necessary.

Copyrights Statement

IJMDR operates under an open-access model in accordance with Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).

Author Rights

Authors retain:

Copyright
Ownership of their intellectual property
Freedom to reuse, distribute, or adapt their work

as long as the original publication is properly credited.

Journal Publishing Rights

Upon submission, authors grant IJMDR:

A non-exclusive license to publish
Rights to archive, index, and disseminate articles
Rights to preserve the work for future availability

This ensures both protection and accessibility.

Reuse Permissions

Under CC BY:

Readers may share, copy, distribute, and adapt the work
Commercial use is permitted
Attribution is mandatory

Licensing Statements

All published articles display:

Creative Commons license icon
Proper citation format
Author copyright notice
DOI
Version of record

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest (COI) Policy

The Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) is committed to ensuring transparency, maintaining scientific integrity, preserving editorial independence, and safeguarding the credibility of published research. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest (COI) enables readers, reviewers, and editors to evaluate the objectivity and neutrality of the work. This policy aligns with internationally recognized guidelines issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and global ethical publishing frameworks.

COI disclosures contribute to the overall ethical climate of academic publishing and protect the trust between authors, editors, reviewers, and readers. IJMDR mandates comprehensive and honest disclosure from all parties involved in the scholarly communication process.

Definition of Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest exists when one’s professional judgment may be influenced—directly or indirectly—by personal, financial, academic, or relational considerations. Conflicts can be:

Financial: Funding, stocks, compensation, consultations, industry ties.
Personal: Relationships or rivalries that may bias judgment.
Professional: Competing academic interests, dual roles, or affiliations.
Institutional: Organizational influences or pressures.
Intellectual: Pre-existing beliefs that predispose judgment.

Conflicts are not inherently unethical; undisclosed conflicts are.

Disclosure Requirements for Authors
Financial Transparency

Authors must disclose:

Research grants
Consulting fees
Honoraria
Stock or equity ownership
Patents (pending or issued)
Sponsored travel
Employment or contractual relations

All funding sources and their roles in the study must be clearly identified.

Non-Financial Conflicts

These include:

Personal or professional relationships
Academic competition
Institutional affiliations
Ideological or intellectual commitments

Such details must be disclosed as they may influence interpretation.

Role of Funding Entities

Authors must state if funders had any involvement in:

Study design
Data collection
Data analysis
Manuscript writing
Publication decisions

If funders had no role, this must be explicitly stated.

No Conflict Statement

Authors must include a statement such as:

“The authors declare no conflicts of interest.”

If applicable.

All COI declarations are published with the article to maintain transparency.

Disclosure Requirements for Editors

Editors must:

Recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists.
Avoid involvement in manuscripts from colleagues at the same institution.
Not use unpublished manuscripts for personal research.
Not allow commercial or financial pressures to influence editorial decisions.

Editorial COI management is essential for maintaining editorial independence.

Disclosure Requirements for Reviewers

Reviewers must decline review when:

They have a personal or professional relationship with authors.
They have collaborated with authors in the past three years.
They hold competing financial or academic interests.
They do not have the required expertise to provide a fair evaluation.

Reviewers must also avoid:

Using manuscript information for personal gain
Sharing manuscript content with others
Introducing bias based on nationality, affiliations, or ideological differences

Journal COI Management Process

The editorial office follows a standardized COI assessment protocol:

Review submitted COI forms
Validate disclosures when needed
Publish disclosed conflicts transparently
Reassign manuscripts when conflicts are identified
Investigate undisclosed conflicts upon complaint

Undisclosed conflicts may result in:

Manuscript rejection
Retraction
Institutional notification
Author suspension from future submissions

This systematic approach protects the ethical integrity of the journal.

Correction and Retraction of Research Articles

Maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record is a principal responsibility of IJMDR. The journal adopts globally recognized policies for corrections, retractions, expressions of concern, and post-publication updates according to COPE Retraction Guidelines, ICMJE policies, and standard international publishing norms.

The journal ensures that published content remains accurate, credible, and trustworthy.

Principles Underlying Corrections and Retractions

IJMDR adheres to the following principles:

The scholarly record must be maintained and corrected when necessary.
Errors must be addressed promptly and transparently.
Retractions are used only for serious issues; corrections are used for minor errors.
Post-publication communication must remain accessible and linked to the original article.
Readers must be clearly informed about the nature of the correction or retraction.

Types of Post-Publication Changes
Corrections (Errata and Corrigenda)

Corrections are issued when:

Minor errors in text, data, or formatting are detected
Figures or tables require adjustments
Author affiliations or contributor details were omitted or incorrect
Minor factual inaccuracies are identified

Corrections do not change the scientific conclusions of the article.

Corrections are:

Published promptly
Linked to the original article
Assigned unique DOIs
Indexed in databases as updates

Retractions

Retractions are issued when:

Data is fabricated or falsified
Plagiarism or duplicate publication is confirmed
Human or animal ethical approval is inadequate
Findings are unreliable due to major errors
Authorship fraud, peer review manipulation, or COI misconduct occurred

Retraction notices:

Remain permanently open-access
Outline reasons clearly
Are linked to original articles
Retain the original article online but watermarked “Retracted”

This ensures transparency and academic accountability.

Expressions of Concern

Used when:

Investigations are underway
Ethical or data-related doubts arise
Institutional inquiries are pending

This acts as a cautionary measure without prematurely retracting the work.

Article Removal (Rare)

Articles are removed only when:

Legal issues arise
Court orders require removal
Publication poses threats to patient rights or public safety

A removal notice replaces the article.

Author-Initiated Corrections

Authors may request corrections when:

They identify errors post-publication
They wish to clarify specific points
Ethical clearance updates are required
Funding details need modification

All author-initiated corrections undergo editorial review.

Journal-Initiated Corrections

Editors initiate corrections when:

Reviewers report inaccuracies
Readers identify issues
Metadata inconsistencies emerge
Ethical or procedural errors are found

Journal-initiated corrections uphold scientific quality.

Retraction Process

The retraction process includes:

Notification – Concerns raised by editors, reviewers, or readers
Internal Investigation – Verification of facts, assessment of evidence
Communication with Authors – Opportunity for explanation
Institutional Contact – When needed
Editorial Decision – Based on evidence
Issuance of Retraction Notice – Permanent, linked, transparent

The goal is correction, not punishment, unless academic misconduct is confirmed.

Adherence to Community Standards

As an international scholarly journal, IJMDR promotes ethical conduct, inclusivity, and professionalism across all aspects of scholarly interaction. Adherence to community standards ensures that the journal operates in a manner that serves global research communities responsibly and equitably.

Commitment to Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is upheld through:

Zero tolerance for plagiarism
Transparent peer review
Ethical research practices
Quality-driven publication decisions
Protection of scientific credibility
Responsibility toward readers, authors, and broader society

The journal encourages research that is replicable, transparent, and methodologically sound.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

IJMDR fosters a scholarly environment supportive of:

Geographic Diversity

Representation from multiple regions ensures:

Global perspectives
Cross-cultural knowledge exchange
Wider applicability of findings

Gender and Demographic Inclusion

Editorial, reviewer, and authorship diversity promotes:

Fairness
Balanced representation
Reduction of systemic bias

Subject and Disciplinary Diversity

The journal supports interdisciplinary collaboration across:

Medicine
Dentistry
Public health
Biomedical sciences
Allied health fields

Respectful Scholarly Conduct

IJMDR expects all participants—authors, editors, reviewers, and readers—to:

Maintain respectful communication
Provide constructive critique
Avoid discriminatory language
Uphold professional integrity
Support inclusive publication practices

Harassment, disrespect, or prejudice violates community standards and may lead to sanctions.

Commitment to Open Science

Open science supports transparency and reproducibility. IJMDR embraces:

Open access publishing
Data sharing policies
Open methodological disclosures
Reusable and interoperable datasets
FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)

Transparency in Editorial Processes

The journal emphasizes:

Clear decision-making
Timely communication
Justifiable editorial choices
Documented processes
Transparent handling of misconduct

Accountability Toward Readers

Readers are entitled to:

Accurate information
Updated, corrected publications
Reliable scientific content
Neutral editorial perspectives
Clear labeling of corrections, retractions, and updates

Collaboration with Research Institutions

IJMDR often collaborates with academic institutions to:

Investigate ethical concerns
Validate data integrity
Confirm authorship disputes
Address allegations of misconduct

Joint accountability ensures reliable scholarship.

Responsible Use of Technology

The journal embraces technology while maintaining ethical boundaries:

AI tools may support editing, review screening, and formatting
AI cannot replace human peer review
AI-generated content must be disclosed
AI cannot be credited as an author

Community Engagement

IJMDR encourages:

Public access to research
Community-based health education initiatives
Research addressing global and local health burdens
Participation in surveys, editorials, and academic debates

Continuous Improvement Standards

The journal periodically reviews and updates:

Editorial policies
Ethical guidelines
Peer review processes
Reviewer training
Data transparency standards

Quality enhancement is central to IJMDR operations.

Editor Selection Policy

The Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) upholds a transparent, merit-based, and internationally compliant process for selecting editors. This policy is essential in ensuring that editorial leadership maintains the highest standards of scientific quality, research integrity, and professional ethics. The Editor Selection Policy supports the journal’s mission to advance medical and dental research through excellence in peer review, editorial independence, and academic credibility.

Our editorial selection framework is founded on global best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), the Council of Science Editors (CSE), and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Objectives of Editor Selection

The aims of the policy include:

Ensuring editors are selected based on academic excellence and domain expertise
Promoting diversity, fairness, and impartiality in editorial appointments
Establishing editorial independence and avoiding external influence
Strengthening peer review and publication quality through competent leadership
Ensuring ethical oversight and responsibility toward the scientific community

Editorial Roles and Responsibilities
Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief is the principal leader responsible for:

Setting editorial strategies
Ensuring ethical publication practices
Overseeing peer review quality
Sanctioning final publication decisions
Safeguarding the journal against bias and misconduct

Associate Editors

They support the Editor-in-Chief by:

Managing peer review
Ensuring manuscripts receive expert evaluation
Communicating with authors and reviewers
Monitoring compliance with editorial policies

Section Editors / Specialty Editors

Responsible for domain-specific manuscripts:

Assigning relevant reviewers
Ensuring scientific integrity
Recommending decisions to senior editors

Editorial Board Members

They contribute by:

Providing subject expertise
Advising on journal development
Promoting the journal within academic communities
Serving as peer reviewers

Eligibility Criteria for Editors

Candidates must demonstrate:

Academic Qualifications

Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DDS, or equivalent)
Specialization in a field relevant to the journal scope

Research & Publication Experience

Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Demonstrated experience with editorial processes
Knowledge of research ethics and scholarly communication

Behavioral and Ethical Competencies

Commitment to editorial integrity
Familiarity with COPE guidelines
Absence of misconduct history
Transparency in professional conduct

Professional Reputation

Recognized expertise
Active involvement in academic or clinical practice
Respect within research communities

Selection Process

The editorial appointment process is performed in the following steps:

Step 1: Call for Applications / Nominations

Vacancies are announced via:

Journal website
Academic networking platforms
Professional associations

Step 2: Application Submission

Applicants provide:

Curriculum Vitae
Statement of interest
Vision statement for journal improvement
Ethical compliance declaration
Conflict of interest disclosure

Step 3: Evaluation by the Selection Committee

The committee evaluates:

Qualifications
Publication quality
Editorial or peer review experience
Ethical standards
Leadership potential
Expertise alignment with journal needs

Step 4: Interviews (When Required)

Shortlisted candidates may undergo interviews to assess:

Communication skills
Editorial philosophy
Ethical judgment
Decision-making ability

Step 5: Approval & Appointment

Approved candidates receive:

Appointment offer
Defined term duration
Role-specific responsibilities
Conflict-of-interest monitoring guidelines

Term Length and Renewal

Standard term: 3–5 years
Renewal based on performance evaluation
Criteria include:

Manuscript handling efficiency
Peer review quality oversight
Responsiveness and ethical conduct
Contribution to journal development

Conflict of Interest Management

Editors must:

Disclose all potential conflicts
Recuse themselves from manuscripts involving personal relationships, collaborators, or institutional affiliations
Avoid involvement in decisions that may generate bias
Not use unpublished manuscripts for personal benefit

Failure to disclose conflicts may lead to removal.

Grounds for Removal or Suspension

Editors may be removed if:

Ethical breaches are proven
Chronic delays impact publication timelines
Conflicts of interest compromise judgment
Misconduct in research or publication emerges
They violate journal confidentiality policies

Decisions are made by the governing committee based on COPE recommendations.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

IJMDR promotes:

Geographic diversity
Gender balance
Multidisciplinary representation
Inclusion of early-career researchers (with supervised mentorship roles)

Diversity enhances editorial perspectives and strengthens global scholarly exchange.

Data Sharing Policy

IJMDR endorses open science principles and responsible data sharing, recognizing its importance in enhancing research reproducibility, transparency, and global scientific advancement. Our data-sharing policy adheres to FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and aligns with ICMJE and COPE standards.

Purpose of Data Sharing

Data sharing ensures:

Verification of research findings
Reproducibility of experiments
Promotion of collaborative research
Efficient use of scientific resources
Greater trust and credibility in published results

Scope of Datasets Covered

The policy applies to:

Quantitative datasets
Qualitative datasets
Clinical trial data
Imaging datasets (radiology, dental scans)
Laboratory and experimental data
Biomedical instrument recordings
Meta-analysis worksheets
Analytical code and statistical scripts

Data Availability Statement (Mandatory)

All manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement specifying:

Where the dataset is stored
Access conditions
Repository or DOI link (if available)
Justification for restricted access (if any)

Examples:

Openly Available Dataset:
“The data that support the findings of this study are openly available at [repository] under DOI: …”
Restricted Dataset:
“Data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request due to privacy restrictions.”
Unavailable Dataset:
“Data cannot be shared due to legal and ethical constraints.”

Recommended Data Repositories

Authors are encouraged to use:

General Repositories

Figshare
Zenodo
Dryad
OSF (Open Science Framework)

Medical & Clinical Repositories

ICPSR
NIH repositories
WHO Global Health Data Repository
ClinicalTrials.gov registry

Imaging Repositories

Radiopaedia (educational cases)
Neurovault
OpenNeuro

Repositories must support persistent identifiers (DOI) and long-term preservation.

Ethical and Legal Requirements

Authors must ensure:

Compliance with GDPR and local privacy laws
De-identification of patient data
Proper ethical approval for data sharing
Clear consent for data reuse (when required)
Secure storage of sensitive information

Data sharing must never compromise the privacy, dignity, or safety of research participants.

Exceptions to Data Sharing

Exceptions may apply when:

Patient confidentiality is at risk
Legal restrictions prevent sharing
Data ownership belongs to third parties
Large datasets exceed repository constraints
Sensitive biomedical information could be misused

Authors must provide strong justification for data unavailability.

Data Citation Requirements

Datasets should be cited like scholarly work:

Author(s)
Year
Dataset title
Repository name
DOI

This recognizes data creators and strengthens research integrity.

Editorial Review of Data Statements

Editors may:

Request raw data
Request statistical codes
Require clarification on methodology
Investigate suspicious inconsistencies
Reject manuscripts lacking adequate data transparency

Inconsistent or misleading data availability statements may lead to editorial rejection.

Post-Publication Data Issues

If concerns arise after publication:

Authors may need to provide missing data
Editorial investigations may be initiated
Corrections or retractions may follow (per COPE guidelines)

Transparency ensures the long-term reliability of scientific literature.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic research and publishing is expanding. IJMDR recognizes AI’s potential to improve efficiency but emphasizes the need for ethical use, human oversight, and transparency. This policy ensures the responsible integration of AI tools throughout the publication lifecycle.

The AI policy conforms to guidance from COPE’s AI Guidelines, ICMJE, WAME, and global AI transparency standards.

Scope of AI Use in Academic Publishing

AI may be used in:

Language editing or grammar refinement
Data organization
Image analysis
Plagiarism checks
Similarity detection
Statistical modeling
Literature screening

AI is not permitted in:

Generating original research conclusions
Creating fabricated or manipulated data
Conducting peer review autonomously
Writing full manuscripts without human authorship
Making editorial or ethical decisions

AI Usage Disclosure (Mandatory)

Authors must disclose:

AI tools used
Purpose of usage
Extent of AI involvement

Example statement:

“The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) for language refinement but reviewed and validated all outputs manually.”

Failure to disclose AI use will be treated as misconduct, potentially leading to rejection or retraction.

AI Cannot Be Credited as an Author

AI systems:

Cannot meet authorship criteria
Cannot take responsibility for data integrity
Cannot interpret research findings
Cannot approve final manuscripts

Thus, AI tools cannot be listed as authors.

Human Oversight Requirement

All AI-assisted content must undergo human verification. Authors are responsible for:

Accuracy of AI-generated text
Factual correctness
Ethical compliance
Proper citation
Originality

Human authors bear full accountability for AI-supported work.

AI in Peer Review

AI may be used to support reviewers via:

Similarity checks
Grammar suggestions
Statistical assistance

However:

Reviewers cannot submit AI-generated reviews
AI cannot interpret scientific validity
Confidential manuscripts cannot be uploaded to public AI tools (privacy breach)

Violation leads to reviewer disqualification.

AI and Research Integrity

AI must never be used to:

Generate fake data
Enhance images without disclosure
Manipulate scientific results
Create fictional citations
Circumvent journal plagiarism checks

Such misconduct triggers COPE-guided corrective actions.

Editorial Use of AI

Editors may use AI to:

Screen submissions
Identify ethical concerns
Detect plagiarism
Assist in grammar improvement

But editorial decisions must always be made by qualified humans.

Post-Publication AI Misuse Investigations

IJMDR will:

Investigate undisclosed or inappropriate AI use
Request data transparency
Issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions

AI misuse threatens research integrity and will be dealt with rigorously.

Policy Review and Updates

As AI evolves, this policy will be:

Reviewed annually
Updated to reflect technological advances
Adapted to global ethical standards

IJMDR remains committed to leveraging AI responsibly without compromising scientific rigor.

Grant Support

The Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) is committed to fostering transparency, academic integrity, and financial accountability in scholarly communication. Grant support disclosure is essential to ensure that research findings are presented without bias, undue influence, or hidden agendas. IJMDR follows globally recognized standards—including those of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)—to ensure full transparency in the acknowledgment and reporting of all financial support underlying published work.

Grant support influences research feasibility, execution, and dissemination. Therefore, proper disclosure enables readers and evaluators to understand the potential impact of funding organizations on study design, data interpretation, and publication outcomes.

Importance of Grant Support Transparency

Financial support disclosure serves multiple purposes:

Accountability: Ensures that research is conducted with honesty and acknowledges the role of financial contributors.
Objectivity: Enables readers to assess whether funding sources may influence results, interpretations, or conclusions.
Trust-building: Reinforces the credibility of authors and publishers through open acknowledgment of financial relationships.
Regulatory compliance: Supports alignment with ICMJE, COPE, NIH, and WHO standards for ethical publication.
Recognition: Gives appropriate credit to funding bodies that support medical and dental research worldwide.

Mandatory Grant Support Statement

All manuscripts submitted to IJMDR must include a Grant Support Statement, placed in a dedicated section after the main text and before references. This statement must clearly specify:

Funding agency name
Grant number(s)
Funding type (research grant, project funding, fellowship, institutional support, etc.)
Principal investigator(s) supported by the grant
Role of the funding body in any part of the research

Example Format:

“This research was supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan under grant number XYZ-123. The funding agency had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, or manuscript preparation.”

Authors must explicitly state no funding when applicable:

“This study received no external funding.”

Required Information from Authors Regarding Funding

Authors must accurately disclose:

Name(s) of all funding organizations
Grant numbers associated with the research
Financial support used for data collection, materials, laboratory equipment, or publication fees
Scholarships, fellowships, or employment support related to the study
In-kind support provided by institutions, laboratories, or private entities

Failure to provide accurate funding transparency may result in editorial action, including:

Request for clarification
Manuscript rejection
Post-publication corrections
Retraction (in cases of intentional concealment)

Role of Funding Agencies

Authors must clarify the extent of involvement of funding bodies. This includes whether the funder:

Designed the study
Provided materials or equipment
Performed analysis
Participated in writing the manuscript
Reviewed or approved the final version
Influenced publication decisions

If funders were not involved in any part of the research process, authors must explicitly declare this.

Grant Support and Conflict of Interest

Grant support disclosures are evaluated in conjunction with COI (Conflict of Interest) statements. Financial sponsorship may create:

Real conflicts
Potential conflicts
Perceived conflicts

Authors must declare any funding that could influence:

Study outcomes
Data interpretation
Ethical perspectives
Publication decisions

IJMDR evaluates these disclosures to prevent:

Hidden influence
Sponsor-driven conclusions
Biased reporting

Independent Research Assurance

To maintain scientific credibility, IJMDR requires authors to confirm that:

They retained full control over study design
They had full access to all primary data
They performed independent analysis
Their conclusions were not affected by sponsors

A typical required statement:

“The authors confirm that they had full access to all data in the study and take full responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the analysis.”

Grant Support in Multi-Center, Collaborative, or Institutional Studies

For collaborative projects, authors must provide:

Funding details for each participating institution
Clarification of shared and independent funding streams
Funding contributions for each component of the study

Transparency is required to address complexities in cross-institutional research.

Post-Publication Amendments Related to Funding

If funding disclosures are incomplete or inaccurate, the journal may issue:

A correction
An update
An expression of concern
A retraction

This aligns with COPE guidelines on correcting the scholarly record.

Open Access Policy

The Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) operates under a Gold Open Access publishing model, ensuring that all published articles are freely available to readers worldwide without subscription or access fees. This policy supports the global exchange of scientific knowledge by eliminating financial barriers to research access.

All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) License, which permits:

Sharing, copying, and redistributing the material in any medium
Adapting, transforming, or building upon the material
Commercial and non-commercial reuse

provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and the journal.

This policy aligns with the open science mandates of major funding bodies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Wellcome Trust, HEC Pakistan, European Research Council (ERC), and UKRI, ensuring compliance for funded authors.

Open access enhances visibility, citation potential, discoverability, and global readership.

Licensing Policy (Creative Commons License)

IJMDR publishes all its content under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Under this license:

Authors retain full copyright
Others may reuse content freely with attribution
Derivative works are allowed
Commercial reuse is permitted

License link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This licensing framework supports open scholarship and aligns with the requirements of DOAJ, OASPA, and open-access funding agencies.

Archiving & Digital Preservation Policy

IJMDR ensures long-term digital preservation of all published content through:

PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN)

Ensures decentralized, distributed archiving of journal content.

LOCKSS and CLOCKSS

Where applicable, IJMDR participates in the LOCKSS/CLOCKSS preservation system to safeguard research integrity.

Institutional Repositories

Authors are encouraged to deposit published versions (with DOI link) in:

University repositories
ResearchGate
Academia.edu
National digital libraries

Self-Archiving

Authors may archive:

Preprints
Postprints
Published versions

without embargo.

Metadata Preservation

Metadata is preserved in:

CrossRef
Google Scholar
Indexing databases
OAI-PMH compliant repositories

This ensures long-term accessibility, discoverability, and protection of scholarly work.

Preprint Policy

IJMDR accepts manuscripts that have been posted as preprints on recognized platforms such as:

medRxiv
bioRxiv
arXiv
Research Square
OSF Preprints

Authors must:

Disclose preprint posting in the submission
Ensure the preprint version is cited if relevant
Update the preprint with the DOI of the published article after acceptance

Preprints do NOT compromise eligibility for peer review and publication.

Advertising Policy

IJMDR maintains a strict, ethical, and transparent advertising policy.

Key Principles:

Advertising does not influence editorial decisions
No advertisements for unapproved medical products
Ads must be relevant to the journal’s academic and healthcare missions
Sponsored content is clearly labeled
Editorial and advertising areas are strictly separated

The journal does not accept advertisements that:

Promote misleading medical claims
Conflict with research ethics
Misrepresent scientific evidence

Direct Marketing and Email Policy

The journal engages in responsible academic outreach by:

Sending calls for papers
Sharing new issue alerts
Providing indexing updates
Sharing conference announcements relevant to authors

All communications:

Comply with anti-spam regulations
Allow authors to unsubscribe
Do not promote unrelated commercial content
Respect user data privacy per the journal’s privacy policy

Authorship Change Policy (Addition, Removal, or Order Change)

After manuscript submission, changes in authorship require:

Written consent from all authors
Detailed justification
Verification by the Editor-in-Chief

The journal follows COPE guidelines strictly:

No author can be removed or added without full group consent
Authorship disputes may lead to manuscript withdrawal
The journal may request institutional investigation

Changes are approved only after ethical verification.

Anti-Harassment & Editorial Conduct Policy

IJMDR maintains a safe, respectful environment for:

Authors
Reviewers
Editors
Staff

The journal enforces zero tolerance for:

Harassment
Discrimination
Bullying
Abusive communication
Coercion
Manipulation

Editorial interactions must remain professional, unbiased, and respectful at all times.

Human and Animal Rights Policy

All research involving human or animal subjects must comply with:

Human Subjects

Declaration of Helsinki
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
Written informed consent
Privacy and confidentiality protections

Animal Subjects

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) standards
Humane treatment
Minimization of pain and suffering
Clear scientific justification

Failure to meet ethical standards may result in rejection or post-publication actions.

Clinical Trial Registration Policy

Clinical trials must be registered in WHO or ICMJE-approved registries such as:

ClinicalTrials.gov
ISRCTN
ANZCTR
CTRI
ChiCTR

Unregistered trials are not accepted, ensuring compliance with global transparency standards.

Image Integrity and Manipulation Policy

IJMDR enforces strict policies against:

Image fabrication
Manipulation
Selective enhancement
Distortion of scientific data
Misuse of software tools

Authors must:

Submit raw images on request
Clearly label adjustments
Avoid over-contrasting, splicing, or duplicating images

Manipulation that affects interpretation is considered misconduct.

Patient Consent & Confidentiality Policy

When identifiable patient information is included (photos, videos, case details):

Written patient consent is mandatory
Anonymization must be ensured
Faces, names, IDs must be masked unless explicitly permitted

Articles lacking proper consent will be removed from review.

Appeals and Complaints Policy

Authors may appeal editorial decisions or file complaints regarding:

Review fairness
Editorial oversight
Ethical breaches
Publication delays

Appeals are reviewed by:

Editor-in-Chief
Senior Editorial Committee
Independent external academic reviewer (if required)

Decisions are based on COPE guidance ensuring fairness and transparency.

Indexing and Abstracting Policy

IJMDR is committed to achieving and maintaining indexing in major academic databases.
The journal ensures:

Accurate metadata
High-quality editorial processing
Regular publication
Compliance with technical indexing standards

Current indexing includes:

Google Scholar
PKP Index
ResearchGate presence
DOAJ-ready compliance

Future targets include:

Scopus
PubMed Central
Web of Science
EBSCO
CNKI
OAJI
Dimensions
CrossRef (DOI-enabled)

Anti-Predatory Publishing Policy

IJMDR actively distances itself from predatory practices, ensuring:

Transparent fees
Rigorous peer review
Clear editorial responsibilities
Full contact information
Ethical operations
No false indexing claims

The journal’s operations follow COPE and DOAJ requirements.

Metadata and DOI Policy

Each published article receives:

A unique DOI
Complete metadata
ORCID integration
CrossRef reference linking
Proper indexing tags

Metadata is provided in:

XML
OAI-PMH structured format
CrossRef schema

Ensuring global discoverability.

Publication Ethics for Editors, Reviewers, and Authors

This section outlines:

Editors

Maintain objectivity
Avoid conflicts
Ensure confidentiality
Make unbiased publication decisions

Reviewers

Provide constructive, timely reviews
Maintain confidentiality
Avoid personal criticism
Declare conflicts

Authors

Ensure originality
Provide accurate data
Disclose conflicts
Follow ethical research standards

This triad of ethical responsibility maintains journal credibility.

Fees Transparency Policy

IJMDR publicly lists:

APC details
Waiver criteria
Payment methods
Refund rules (where applicable)

No hidden charges or surprise costs.

Manuscript Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawal is allowed only when:

Submitted before peer review begins
Authors provide written reason
All authors consent

Improper withdrawal may result in:

Penalties
Blacklisting (severe misconduct)
COPE-guided action

Language Editing and Technical Support Policy

The journal provides optional services for authors:

Professional English language editing
Formatting help
Reference checking
Figure preparation

These services do not influence acceptance.