Peer Review Proces
Overview
The Peer Review Process at the Journal of Midwifery, Maternal and Reproductive Health Studies (J2MR) is designed to uphold the highest standards of scientific quality, originality, and clinical relevance to midwifery practice, maternal care, and reproductive health research. Our structured review system involves multiple stages of expert evaluation, concluding with a final editorial decision by the Editor-in-Chief and a well-defined publication workflow.
Review Model
J2MR applies a Double-Blind Peer Review Model to guarantee impartiality and preserve scientific integrity throughout the evaluation process. Under this model:
- All communication between authors and reviewers is mediated exclusively by the assigned handling editor.
- The identities of authors are concealed from the peer reviewers.
- The identities of peer reviewers remain confidential and are never disclosed to the authors.
This approach minimizes bias and encourages an objective, merit-based evaluation of every submission.
Review Rounds: Manuscripts generally undergo at least two rounds of peer review. In each round, the manuscript is ideally assessed by two qualified reviewers with relevant expertise in midwifery science, maternal health, and reproductive health research.
Review Quality Criteria
During the peer review process, reviewers evaluate manuscripts against the following key criteria:
Methodological Rigor
Assessment of the appropriateness, accuracy, and correct application of the research methodology. Reviewers examine whether the study design fits the research questions and whether data collection and analysis procedures for midwifery and maternal-reproductive health studies are executed correctly.
Scientific Impact & Relevance
Evaluation of the manuscript's potential contribution to midwifery science, maternal health services, and reproductive health practice. Reviewers assess whether the findings can inform evidence-based clinical decision-making and improve maternal and reproductive health outcomes.
Novelty and Originality
Assessment of whether the manuscript offers new insights, innovative interventions, or original findings that advance the field of midwifery, maternal, and reproductive health studies. Reviewers verify that the work does not duplicate previously published research.
Clarity and Presentation
Evaluation of the manuscript's organization, scientific writing quality, logical flow, and clarity of tables, figures, and terminology, ensuring the work is comprehensible to midwifery researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.
Ethical Compliance
Verification that the research complies with ethical standards, including institutional/ethics committee approval, informed consent from participants, and protection of maternal and patient data privacy, particularly given the sensitive nature of reproductive health research.
Review Workflow
The peer review process at J2MR follows a structured workflow:
1
Round 1: Initial Peer Review
The handling editor assigns the manuscript to two qualified peer reviewers based on their expertise in midwifery, maternal, or reproductive health. Reviewers submit detailed feedback, assessments, and recommendations within the designated timeframe.
2
Round 2: Revised Submission and Secondary Review
Authors revise their manuscript according to reviewer comments and resubmit it together with a point-by-point response letter. The handling editor may request a second review round, either by the same or different reviewers, to confirm the quality of the revisions.
3
Editor-in-Chief Post-Review Assessment
Once all review rounds are complete, the Editor-in-Chief conducts a comprehensive post-review assessment, evaluating the reviewers' recommendations together with the authors' revisions, and issues a final editorial decision: acceptance, conditional acceptance, or rejection.
4
Final Decision Communication
Authors are formally notified of the Editor-in-Chief's final decision, accompanied by a summary of the editorial rationale and any remaining requirements or recommendations prior to publication.
Publication Process
Once a manuscript is accepted, it proceeds through the following publication workflow:
- Copy Editing & Proofreading: The accepted manuscript undergoes professional copy editing and proofreading to ensure linguistic consistency, clarity, and compliance with the journal's style guide.
- Typesetting: The manuscript is formatted according to J2MR's layout and design specifications.
- Proofs: Corresponding authors receive page proofs for final review and approval prior to publication.
- Publication: The final, corrected manuscript is published in the designated issue of J2MR and made openly accessible through the journal's online platform.
Review Comments and Reuse
Peer review reports and comments represent a valuable resource for manuscript improvement. Authors are welcome to reuse the detailed feedback provided by J2MR's peer reviewers when submitting their manuscript elsewhere. Review comments may include:
- Structured review forms and standardized assessment templates.
- Direct annotations and comments from peer reviewers on the manuscript.
- Specific recommendations for revision and improvement.
Note: Authors are encouraged to use this constructive feedback to strengthen their manuscript, whether for resubmission to J2MR or for submission to another venue.
Confidentiality and Ethics
J2MR upholds the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct throughout the peer review process:
Reviewer Confidentiality
Peer reviewers are strictly prohibited from discussing manuscripts under review with colleagues or other reviewers without explicit permission from the handling editor, safeguarding the integrity of the review process.
Manuscript Confidentiality
Unpublished manuscripts are treated as confidential and privileged material. They may not be shared, discussed, or disclosed to unauthorized parties at any stage of the review process.
Non-Transparent Review
At this time, J2MR does not publish peer review reports alongside articles nor provide public access to the review process. The review remains confidential among authors, reviewers, and the editorial team.
Single-Track Communication
All interactions between authors and reviewers are routed exclusively through the designated handling editor to preserve anonymity and prevent direct contact between the two parties.
Quality Assurance Through Rigorous Review
Journal of Midwifery, Maternal and Reproductive Health Studies
