Peer Review Process
Peer Review Process of HERU
All manuscripts submitted to HERU: Health Empowerment and Research Universe undergo a structured editorial and peer-review process to ensure scientific quality, originality, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal's scope.
Editorial and Review Workflow
Manuscript Submission
Authors submit manuscripts through the HERU Online Journal System (OJS). The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all required information and supporting documents are complete.
Initial Editorial Screening
The editorial team evaluates the manuscript for suitability with the journal's Focus and Scope, manuscript completeness, originality, scientific quality, ethical compliance, and conformity with the Author Guidelines.
Similarity and Ethical Screening
Manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism-detection software. The editorial team also reviews potential ethical issues, duplicate publication, conflicts of interest, and research ethics requirements.
Reviewer Assignment
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers whose expertise is relevant to the subject of the manuscript.
Double-Blind Peer Review
HERU applies a double-blind peer-review system. The identities of authors are concealed from reviewers and the identities of reviewers are concealed from authors during the review process.
Reviewer Evaluation
Reviewers assess the manuscript based on originality, methodological quality, scientific contribution, validity of results, clarity of presentation, quality of discussion, ethical considerations, and relevance to health sciences.
Editorial Decision
Based on the reviewers' recommendations and editorial evaluation, the manuscript may receive one of the following decisions:
Author Revision
Authors are required to revise the manuscript carefully and provide a clear response to all reviewer and editor comments. Revised manuscripts may be returned to reviewers when further evaluation is required.
Final Editorial Decision
The Editor in Chief or responsible editor makes the final decision based on the scientific quality of the revised manuscript, reviewers' recommendations, and compliance with journal policies.
Copyediting, Layout, and Publication
Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting, layout, proofreading, metadata verification, and final publication in HERU.
