Ethical standards for publication exist to ensure high-quality scientific output, maintain trust in research findings, and guarantee that individuals receive appropriate recognition for their work and ideas.
Annals of Health and Health Sciences is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in medical publishing. The journal aligns its policies with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommendations, ensuring responsible conduct throughout the publication process.
Editorial, Peer Review, Author, and Publisher Responsibilities
Editor Responsibilities
- Ensure a fair, unbiased, and timely review process.
- Maintain confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and reviewer identities.
- Make publication decisions based on academic merit and ethical integrity.
- Address conflicts of interest and avoid handling manuscripts where impartiality may be compromised.
- Take appropriate action in cases of ethical concerns, such as plagiarism or misconduct.
Peer Reviewer Responsibilities
- Provide objective, constructive, and timely reviews.
- Treat the manuscript and associated data as confidential.
- Disclose any conflict of interest and decline reviews where appropriate.
- Identify possible ethical issues, such as plagiarism or falsified data.
- Recommend revisions or decisions based solely on the quality and validity of the research.
Become a Reviewer: Interested in reviewing for AHHS? Contact the editorial office with your full name, qualifications, and subject areas. Once approved, you will receive an invitation to complete your reviewer profile.
Author Responsibilities
- Submit original and unpublished work that is not under review elsewhere.
- Ensure accurate presentation of data, methods, and references.
- List only those who have made substantial contributions as authors.
- Disclose any conflicts of interest and clearly state funding sources.
- Obtain ethical approval for research involving human or animal subjects.
- Respond promptly and professionally to peer review feedback and revise manuscripts accordingly.
Publisher Responsibilities
- Support the journal's commitment to ethical publishing and adherence to industry standards.
- Ensure the integrity of the publication process, including maintaining a secure and confidential system for handling manuscripts.
- Facilitate training and resources for editors, reviewers, and authors on best ethical practices.
- Handle complaints and allegations of misconduct efficiently and transparently.
- Promote open access policies or subscription models as per the journal's guidelines.
- Protect intellectual property rights and uphold copyright and licensing agreements.
Authorship & Contributorship Policy
We recognize and value the intellectual contributions of all authors involved in the creation of scholarly work. Authorship must reflect substantial contribution, and all authors are expected to adhere to ethical standards and submission guidelines outlined.
Criteria for Authorship: To qualify as an author, each contributor must meet all of the following criteria:
- Made a significant contribution to the conception, design, data collection, or analysis of the work
- Participated in drafting or revising the manuscript for important intellectual content
- Approved the final version of the manuscript before submission
- Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work and its integrity
Authorship Guidelines
- The manuscript must be the original work of the listed authors and not under consideration elsewhere.
- All authors are expected to participate in the peer review and revision process in a timely manner.
- The order of authorship should reflect the level of contribution, and all authors must approve it.
- Any contributor who does not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately in the Acknowledgement section.
Corresponding Author Responsibilities: The corresponding author serves as the main contact between the journal and all co-authors. Their responsibilities include:
- Coordinating the submission and revision process
- Ensuring all co-authors approve the final manuscript
- Signing the Author Agreement Form on behalf of all authors
- Handling post-submission communication and proof corrections
Author Declaration: All authors must complete and sign the Author Submission Checklist to confirm authorship and ethical compliance.
Affiliations: Authors must clearly state their current institutional affiliations and, if applicable, the institution where the research was conducted or presented
Plagiarism & AI Content Policy
We maintain a strict policy against plagiarism and unethical use of AI-generated content. All submissions must be original and properly cited.
Plagiarism includes copying text, data, or ideas from:
- Published/unpublished sources
- Websites or online content
- Lectures, presentations, or other media
Use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed. Content generated entirely by AI without oversight is not acceptable. All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software. Submissions with plagiarized or undisclosed AI content will be rejected. A plagiarism check service is also available under Author Services at www.indianjournals.com to help authors ensure content originality before submission. Concerns post-publication can be reported to info@indianjournals.com.
Copyright & Licensing
- Authors must sign a Copyright Transfer Agreement upon acceptance.
- Authors retain rights for academic use, sharing preprints, and presenting at conferences with proper citation.
- For subscription content, permission is required for any reuse beyond personal or institutional access.
For permissions: info@indianjournals.com
Conflict of Interest Policy
The Annals of Health and Health Sciences is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and integrity throughout the editorial and publication process. All parties involved are required to disclose any conflicts of interest that could potentially influence their judgment, actions, or objectivity.
- Authors: Must disclose any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could influence the work. All conflicts should be stated in the manuscript.
- Reviewers: Should decline review if they have any competing interest with the authors or research topic, and they are required to maintain confidentiality and provide unbiased, objective feedback
- Editors: Will not handle manuscripts in which they have a conflict (personal, financial, or institutional) and must ensure unbiased decision-making.
- Publisher: Ensures policies support ethical publishing and avoids commercial or financial interests that may compromise editorial independence.
Useful Contacts
All communications are treated with confidentiality and addressed appropriately.