Peer Review Policy

Peer Review Policy

Horn African Journal of Health Sciences (HAJHS)

Peer review is the independent assessment of submitted manuscripts by experts in the field, conducted prior to publication. It ensures the work's validity, rigor, and clarity. HAJHS employs a transparent peer review system.

Review Process Overview

  1. Initial Submission – Author submits manuscript via online system
  2. Editorial Assessment – Editor evaluates fit and scope
  3. Peer Review – Manuscript sent to 2-3 expert reviewers
  4. Decision – Editor makes final decision based on reviewer reports
  5. Publication – Accepted manuscript published with reviewer reports

Transparent Peer Review

HAJHS employs a transparent peer review system. The reports from reviewers, who remain anonymous, are published alongside accepted articles. This increases accountability and provides readers with insight into the evaluation process.

Editorial Decisions

Editors use the confidential reviewer reports, along with editorial board consultation when needed, to make final publication decisions. Possible decisions include:

Accept Minor Revision Major Revision Reject

Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers and editors are required to disclose any competing interests. If a competing interest exists, they can be excluded from the peer review process to ensure impartial evaluation.

Manuscript Disputing Published Work

For manuscripts that directly dispute previously published work, HAJHS invites a signed review from the author(s) of the disputed publication. This review must be submitted promptly and include a full declaration of any competing interest.

Ethical Standards

HAJHS follows the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines for peer review. Reviewers must:

  • Maintain confidentiality of the manuscript
  • Notify the editor of any ethical concerns
  • Avoid personal criticism of the authors
  • Identify relevant published work not cited by authors

For questions, contact: editorial@hajhs.edu.et