Peer Review Process

Peer Review Process

The Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (J-OSH) employs a double-blind peer review process to ensure fairness, objectivity, and scientific quality. In this process, the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review.

Initial Editorial Screening

Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial evaluation by the Editorial Office to assess:

  • Compliance with the journal's aims and scope.
  • Adherence to the Author Guidelines.
  • Completeness of submission files.
  • Ethical compliance.
  • Similarity screening for plagiarism.
  • Basic scientific quality and originality.

Manuscripts that fail to meet these requirements may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected without external review.

Peer Review

Manuscripts passing the initial screening are assigned to an Associate Editor or Section Editor and sent to at least two independent reviewers with expertise relevant to the manuscript.

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on:

  • Originality and novelty
  • Scientific significance
  • Methodological rigor
  • Ethical considerations
  • Data validity and reliability
  • Clarity of presentation
  • Quality of discussion
  • Relevance to occupational safety and health
  • Appropriateness of conclusions
  • Adequacy of references

Editorial Decision

Based on reviewers' recommendations, the Editor will make one of the following decisions:

  • Accept without revision
  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Reject

Authors receiving revision requests should submit a revised manuscript together with a detailed response to reviewers' comments within the specified timeframe.

Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation when necessary.

Final Decision

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the final publication decision based on reviewers' recommendations, scientific merit, ethical compliance, and the journal's editorial standards.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers and editors must not disclose or use unpublished information contained in submitted manuscripts.

Conflict of Interest

Editors and reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest that could influence their judgment. Individuals with conflicts of interest will not participate in the review or editorial decision-making process for the affected manuscript.

Review Timeline

J-OSH strives to provide timely editorial decisions. While review duration may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity, the journal aims to complete the peer review process within 4–8 weeks after submission.