Editorial Policy

Our journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity and scientific rigor. We aim to ensure that all published research contributes meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge in sports medicine, injury prevention, and related fields. This editorial policy outlines the guidelines and processes that govern manuscript handling, peer review, and publication decisions.

  1. Editorial Independence
  • The Editor-in-Chief has full editorial independence and makes all final publication decisions based on reviewer feedback and the journal’s ethical standards.
  • The editorial team operates free from any influence of the publisher, sponsors, or other external entities.
  • Editorial decisions are based solely on the quality, relevance, and scientific merit of the submissions, without regard to authors’ race, gender, nationality, or institutional affiliation.
  1. Scope & Focus
  • The journal accepts original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorials, commentaries, and blogs in the fields of:
    • Sports medicine
    • Injury prevention
    • Rehabilitation and return-to-play strategies
    • Biomechanics and performance optimization
    • Public health approaches to physical activity and injury prevention
  1. Manuscript Screening Process
  • Initial Screening: All submissions undergo an initial editorial screening to assess relevance, adherence to guidelines, and ethical compliance. Manuscripts that do not meet these standards are returned to authors with feedback or rejected without external review.
  • Plagiarism Check: All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software. Suspected cases of plagiarism, duplicate publication, or data fabrication are handled in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
  1. Peer Review Policy
  • All research articles undergo double-blind peer review to ensure objective evaluation.
  • Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and track record in the relevant field.
  • The peer review process is as follows:
    • Editorial Evaluation: Manuscripts passing initial screening are assigned to associate editors or section editors who assess their suitability for review.
    • Reviewer Assignment: Manuscripts are sent to two independent reviewers with a request to provide feedback within four weeks.
    • Review Criteria: Reviewers assess the manuscript’s originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and relevance.
    • Decision Making: Based on reviewer comments, the Editor-in-Chief or handling editor makes one of the following decisions:
      • Accept without revisions
      • Minor revisions
      • Major revisions
      • Reject
  1. Reviewer Guidelines & Ethics
  • Reviewers must:
    • Provide constructive, objective, and unbiased feedback.
    • Disclose any conflicts of interest that may compromise their impartiality.
    • Maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript during and after the review process.
  • Reviewers are compensated for their time and effort to ensure timely and high-quality reviews.
  1. Decision-Making Process
  • Acceptance or Rejection: The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision based on reviewer recommendations, scientific merit, and alignment with the journal’s scope.
  • Appeals: Authors who believe a decision was made unfairly or incorrectly may submit an appeal, which will be reviewed by an independent senior editor.
  1. Editorial Board Responsibilities
  • Editor-in-Chief: Provides overall direction for the journal and makes final decisions on manuscript acceptance.
  • Associate Editors: Oversee the peer review process and ensure that reviewers’ comments are constructive and aligned with journal standards.
  • Editorial Board Members: Provide subject matter expertise, advise on journal policies, and occasionally participate in the peer review process.
  1. Authorship & Contributorship
  • Authorship should be based on the following criteria:
    • Substantial contributions to the conception, design, data acquisition, or analysis.
    • Drafting or revising the manuscript critically for intellectual content.
    • Approval of the final version to be published.
  • Changes in Authorship: Any changes in authorship after submission require written consent from all co-authors and must be approved by the editorial office.
  1. Handling Conflicts of Interest
  • For Authors: Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest that may influence the research or interpretation of results.
  • For Reviewers: Reviewers should decline invitations if conflicts of interest exist and inform the editorial office immediately if conflicts are identified post-review.
  • For Editors: Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist and delegate the review process to an independent editor.
  1. Appeals & Complaints
  • Authors may appeal editorial decisions by providing a detailed justification for reconsideration.
  • Complaints about editorial processes, decisions, or ethical concerns are handled in accordance with COPE guidelines.
  • All appeals and complaints will be reviewed independently by the editorial team.
  1. Corrections, Retractions & Expressions of Concern
  • Corrections: Minor errors that do not affect the study’s results or conclusions will be corrected with a corrigendum.
  • Retractions: In cases of serious ethical breaches, data fabrication, or plagiarism, the journal will issue a formal retraction with an explanation.
  • Expressions of Concern: When concerns about the validity of a published article arise, the journal may issue an expression of concern while the investigation is ongoing.
  1. Open Access & Licensing Policy
  • All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) License, ensuring free and unrestricted access to published content.
  • Authors retain copyright of their work while granting the journal the right to distribute the article.
  1. Editorial Ethics & Misconduct Handling
  • The journal adheres to the COPE Code of Conduct and follows established protocols for addressing allegations of misconduct, including:
    • Duplicate publication
    • Plagiarism
    • Fabrication or falsification of data
    • Author disputes
  1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • The journal is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the editorial and publishing process.
  • We encourage submissions from authors of diverse backgrounds and perspectives and ensure that our editorial board and reviewer pool reflect a broad range of expertise.
  1. Contact Information
  • For any inquiries regarding the editorial process, submission guidelines, or ethical concerns, please contact:
    • Editorial Office Email: admin@jiips.co.uk