{"id":398,"date":"2026-05-14T07:38:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T07:38:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ramjournal.com\/home\/?page_id=398"},"modified":"2026-05-23T06:46:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T06:46:08","slug":"journal-policies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ramjournal.com\/home\/journal-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"Journal Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"inherit-container-width wp-block-group alignfull is-style-ext-preset--group--natural-1--section has-ast-global-color-4-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8a70ab53 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:min(7rem, 10vw);padding-bottom:min(7rem, 10vw)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center ext-animate--on\">Our Commitment to Ethical and Transparent Research Publishing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-ext-preset-image-natural-1-image-1--content-any is-style-ext-preset--image--natural-1--image-1--content-any ext-animate--on extendify-image-import\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1652787544912-137c7f92f99b?ixid=M3w0MzUxNjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxtZWRpY2FsJTIwam91cm5hbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3Nzg3NDM1MDB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;orientation=landscape?fit=crop&amp;crop=entropy%2Cfaces&amp;auto=format%2Ccompress&amp;w=1280\" alt=\"Photo 1652787544912 137c7f92f99b?ixid=M3w0MzUxNjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxtZWRpY2FsJTIwam91cm5hbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3Nzg3NDM1MDB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb 4.1\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" title=\"Journal Policies\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Policy Statements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">A. Peer Review Policy<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>Research and Advances in Medicine follows a double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality, validity, and originality of published research. In this process, the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed from each other.<br><br>1. Initial Editorial Screening<br><br>All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial evaluation by the editorial office to ensure that they Fit within the journal\u2019s scope, adhere to submission guidelines, meet basic scientific and ethical standards. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be rejected without external peer review.<br><br>2. Assignment to Handling Editor<br><br>Eligible manuscripts are assigned to an appropriate handling editor based on subject expertise. The handling editor oversees the peer review process.<br><br>3. Reviewer Selection<br><br>Each manuscript is reviewed by a minimum of two independent reviewers who have relevant expertise in the subject area. Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, research experience and publication record<br><br>4. Double-Blind Peer Review<br><br>Authors\u2019 identities are concealed from reviewers<br>Reviewers\u2019 identities are concealed from authors<br>Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on their scientific validity, originality and novelty, methodological rigor, ethical compliance and clarity of presentation<br><br>5. Reviewer Recommendations<br><br>Reviewers provide detailed comments and recommend one of the following:<br>Accept, Minor revision, Major revision, Reject<br><br>6. Editorial Decision<br><br>The final decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief or handling editor based on Reviewer comments, Scientific merit of the manuscript, Relevance to the journal, Authors are notified of the decision along with reviewer feedback.<br><br>7. Revision Process<br><br>If revisions are requested, the authors must submit a revised manuscript along with a point-by-point response to reviewers and the revised manuscripts may be sent for re-review<br><br>8. Final Acceptance and Publication<br><br>Once accepted, the manuscript undergoes copyediting and formatting, proofs are shared with authors for final approval, and the article is published online<br><br>9. Timeline<br><br>Initial screening: 3\u20137 days<br>Peer review: 2\u20134 weeks<br>Final decision: 4\u20136 weeks (average)<br>Timelines may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity.<br><br>10. Ethical Considerations<br><br>All manuscripts are treated as confidential documents and reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest. The journal follows COPE guidelines for ethical publishing<br><br>11. Transparency and Integrity<br><br>Editorial decisions are independent of APC payments. APC is charged only after acceptance. The journal does not guarantee acceptance of any manuscript<br><br>12. Appeals and Complaints<br><br>Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a detailed justification to the editorial office. Appeals are reviewed independently and decisions are communicated transparently.<br><br><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">B. Reviewer Recognition Policy<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>Research and Advances in Medicine acknowledges the essential role of peer reviewers in maintaining the quality and integrity of scholarly publishing. The journal is committed to recognizing reviewer contributions while preserving the confidentiality of the peer review process.<br><br><strong>Recognition Methods<\/strong><br><br>Annual Reviewer Acknowledgment:<br>The journal publishes an annual list of reviewers who have contributed during the year (with reviewer consent).<br><br>Certificates of Review:<br>Reviewers may receive a digital certificate acknowledging their contribution upon completion of a review.<br><br>Reviewer Credits:<br>Reviewers are encouraged to record their peer review activity on platforms such as Publons\/Web of Science Reviewer Recognition (where applicable).<br><br>Confidentiality:<br>Reviewer identities are not disclosed in relation to specific manuscripts under the double-blind peer review model. Recognition is provided without linking reviewers to individual articles.<br><br>Recognition is granted based on:<br>Completion of reviews within stipulated timelines, Quality, constructiveness, and professionalism of feedback<br><br>Editorial Board Consideration:<br>Consistently high-performing reviewers may be considered for inclusion in the journal\u2019s editorial board.<br><br>Ethical Standards:<br>All reviewers are expected to adhere to COPE guidelines, maintain confidentiality, and declare conflicts of interest.<br><br> <br><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">C. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>Research and Advances in Medicine recognizes the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in research and publishing. The journal provides the following guidelines to ensure ethical and transparent use.<br><br><strong>Use of AI by Authors:<\/strong><br>AI tools (e.g., language models, writing assistants) may be used for language editing or formatting support only.<br>AI tools must not be listed as authors.<br>Authors must disclose any significant use of AI tools in the manuscript (e.g., in Methods or Acknowledgments).<br>Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the content.<br><strong><br>Prohibited Uses:<\/strong><br>AI-generated data, images, or results presented as real without disclosure<br>Fabrication or manipulation of research findings using AI<br>Use of AI to generate peer review reports under author identity<br><br><strong>Use of AI by Reviewers<\/strong><br>Reviewers must not upload manuscripts into AI tools or external platforms, as this may breach confidentiality.<br>AI tools should not be used to generate full review reports.<br><br><strong>Use of AI by Editors<\/strong><br>Editors may use AI tools for administrative tasks (e.g., plagiarism checks, language screening), but final decisions are made by human editors.<br><br><strong>Transparency<\/strong><br>All AI use must be transparent, ethical, and in compliance with publication standards and COPE recommendations.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">D.<\/mark><\/strong> <strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement<br><\/mark><\/strong><br>Research and Advances in Medicine is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. All parties involved in the publication process\u2014authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher\u2014are expected to adhere to ethical standards based on the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).<br><br>1. Duties of Authors<br><br>Originality and Plagiarism:<br>Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original. Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.<br><br>Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication:<br>Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals is unethical.<br><br>Data Access and Retention:<br>Authors may be asked to provide raw data related to their manuscript for editorial review and should be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable time after publication.<br><br>Authorship of the Manuscript:<br>Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged.<br><br>Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest:<br>All authors must disclose any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that may influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.<br><br>Ethical Approval:<br>Research involving human participants or animals must include a statement confirming approval from an appropriate ethics committee and informed consent from participants.<br><br>Corrections of Errors:<br>When an author discovers a significant error in their published work, it is the author\u2019s obligation to promptly notify the journal editor and cooperate in retracting or correcting the paper.<br><br>2. Duties of Reviewers<br><br>Confidentiality:<br>Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed with others.<br><br>Objectivity:<br>Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate.<br><br>Acknowledgment of Sources:<br>Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.<br><br>Conflicts of Interest:<br>Reviewers must not review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.<br><br>3. Duties of Editors<br><br>Publication Decisions:<br>The editor is responsible for deciding which manuscripts submitted to the journal should be published, based on the validity and importance of the work.<br><br>Fair Play:<br>Editors evaluate manuscripts based on intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.<br><br>Confidentiality:<br>Editors must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and publisher.<br><br>Conflicts of Interest:<br>Editors must not use unpublished information in their own research and must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.<br><br>4. Peer Review Process<br><br>Research Ascent Medical Journal follows a double-blind peer review process. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Editorial decisions are based on reviewer comments, scientific validity, originality, and relevance to the journal\u2019s scope.<br><br>5. Plagiarism Screening<br><br>All submissions are checked for plagiarism using appropriate software\/tools. Manuscripts with significant similarity or suspected misconduct will be rejected.<br><br>6. Retraction and Corrections Policy<br><br>The journal follows COPE guidelines for handling corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern. Articles may be retracted in cases of proven misconduct, data fabrication, plagiarism, or serious errors.<br><br>7. Copyright and Licensing<br><br>Authors retain copyright of their work. All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), allowing unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction with proper attribution.<br><br>8. Publisher\u2019s Responsibilities<br><br>The publisher is committed to ensuring editorial independence, maintaining ethical standards, and supporting the integrity of the scholarly record.<br><br>9. Complaints and Appeals<br><br>Authors may appeal editorial decisions by contacting the editorial office with a detailed explanation. Complaints regarding publication ethics will be handled according to COPE guidelines.<br><br>Contact Information<br><br>For any ethical concerns or complaints, please contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yadavalli RD Rajan<br>Email: editor@ramjournal.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">E. Digital Preservation &amp; Archiving Policy<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>RAMJ is committed to the long-term availability and preservation of all published content. The journal participates in the following digital preservation programs:<br><br>LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe): RAMJ is registered with the LOCKSS program, enabling participating libraries to create and maintain archival copies of published content.<br>PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN): As a journal published on Open Journal Systems (OJS), RAMJ participates in the PKP Preservation Network for automated digital preservation.<br>Self-hosting: Complete archives of all published volumes and issues are maintained on the journal&#8217;s server. Authors are also encouraged to deposit published versions in institutional repositories.<br>In the event of journal discontinuation, all content will remain freely accessible at the journal&#8217;s permanent URL and\/or be transferred to a designated digital repository.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">F.<\/mark><\/strong> <strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">Anti-plagiarism policy<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>Authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works, and if the authors have used the work and\/or words of others this must be appropriately cited or quoted. Plagiarism, data fabrication and image manipulation are not tolerated. Plagiarism is not acceptable in RAMJ submissions.<br><br>Plagiarism includes copying text, ideas, images, or data from another source, even from your own publications, without giving any credit to the original source.  Reuse of text that is copied from another source must be between quotes and the original source must be cited. If a study&#8217;s design or the manuscript&#8217;s structure or language has been inspired by previous works, these works must be explicitly cited.<br><br>If plagiarism is detected during the peer review process, the manuscript may be rejected. If plagiarism is detected after publication, we may publish a correction or retract the paper.<br><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#000000\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Multiple Publication<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>An author should not, in general, publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal or primary publication. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.<br><br>Journal checks all manuscripts submitted to the journal for plagiarism by independent experts and special softwares like Turnitin or iThenticate. We protect the rights of the authors\/co-authors and investigate claims of plagiarism or misuse of published articles. The authors are responsible for the accuracy of the information presented in the articles, the accuracy of the names, last names, and citations. The authors have responsibility for their presented materials in case of finding out plagiarism in them. Equally, we protect the reputation of the journal against malpractice. Thus, the journal reserves the right to reject the paper for plagiarism without further explanations and take appropriate legal action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\"><strong>G. Conflict of Interest Policy for Editors and Reviewers<\/strong><\/mark><br><br>Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts when they have a conflict of interest including:<br><br>Current or recent (within 3 years) collaboration with an author<br>Personal or financial relationships with an author<br>Being from the same institution as the corresponding author<br>Having a competing manuscript under review or in preparation on the same topic<br>When a conflict exists, the Editor-in-Chief will assign the manuscript to another editor. Reviewers are similarly required to declare any potential conflicts prior to reviewing. Any undisclosed conflicts discovered post-publication will trigger a post-publication review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">H. Retraction, Correction, and Expression of Concern Policy<\/mark><\/strong><br>RAMJ is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scientific record. In accordance with COPE guidelines, the following procedures apply:<br><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#abb8c3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Corrections (Erratum\/Corrigendum)<\/mark><\/strong><br>A correction is issued when a published article contains a minor error that does not affect the conclusions. The correction notice is linked to the original article, identifies the error, and states the correct information.<br><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#abb8c3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Retraction<\/mark><\/strong><br>A retraction is issued when an article contains a fundamental error that invalidates its conclusions, or when misconduct is confirmed (e.g., fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, duplicate publication, or undisclosed conflicts of interest). Retracted articles remain visible on the website with a retraction notice stamped on the PDF.<br><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#abb8c3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Expression of Concern<\/mark><\/strong><br>An Expression of Concern is issued when an investigation into alleged misconduct is ongoing, or when evidence of concern exists but is insufficient to warrant retraction. Authors, readers, or institutions may raise concerns by contacting editor.jsrth@gmail.com. All reports are investigated according to COPE flowcharts.<br><br><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#abb8c3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Process<\/mark><\/strong><br>Concerns about published articles should be emailed to editor@ramjournal.com<br>The Editor-in-Chief\/Associate Editor will acknowledge receipt within 5 business days<br>An investigation will be conducted in accordance with COPE guidelines<br>The decision to issue a correction, retraction, or expression of concern will be made by the Editor-in-Chief in consultation with the Editorial Board<br>Notices will be published as soon as possible and linked to the original article<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">I. Data Availability Statement Policy<\/mark><\/strong><br><br>RAMJ encourages authors to make the data underlying their research openly available wherever legally and ethically permissible. Authors are required to include a Data Availability Statement in their manuscript as a separate section before the References.<br><br><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#abb8c3\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Acceptable Data Availability Statements:<\/strong><\/mark><br>&#8220;The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in [repository name] at [DOI\/URL].&#8221;<br>&#8220;The data that support the findings of this study are available from [institution] but restrictions apply to the availability of these data. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of [institution].&#8221;<br>&#8220;All data are contained within the manuscript.&#8221;<br>&#8220;No new data were generated for this study. This is a review\/conceptual paper.&#8221;<br>Recommended repositories include: Dryad, Zenodo, figshare, Harvard Dataverse, and OSF (Open Science Framework).<br><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Commitment to Ethical and Transparent Research Publishing Policy Statements A. 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