Publication Policies

Publication Frequency

The Journal of Health, Wellness, and Community Research (JHWCR) publishes biweekly, issuing two editions per month since April 2025, following a biannual schedule from January 2023 to March 2025. Articles accepted for publication are made available promptly to maximize the dissemination of timely research findings.

Open Access and Copyright

JHWCR adheres strictly to open-access publishing principles, ensuring global visibility and free, unrestricted access to all content immediately upon publication. This approach aligns with international standards, including those of the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

All content is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Authors retain copyright while permitting users worldwide to freely use, adapt, and distribute their work, provided proper citation and acknowledgment are maintained.

CrossMark Policy

To uphold the integrity and authenticity of its published research, JHWCR employs CrossMark, a CrossRef initiative. This provides clear documentation of any updates, corrections, or retractions made to published content. Readers can easily verify the latest version of any article, fostering trust and reliability in published research.

Publication Ethics and Integrity

JHWCR maintains the highest ethical standards, following the guidelines provided by COPE and ICMJE. Ethical integrity encompasses original research, transparent methodologies, clear reporting, and comprehensive disclosures of funding sources and potential conflicts of interest. Submissions must be original and previously unpublished, with authors required to adhere strictly to these ethical expectations.

Informed Consent and Ethical Approval

All studies involving human or animal subjects must comply with ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent and appropriate institutional or ethics committee approval. JHWCR mandates clear documentation of ethical oversight, including detailed statements of informed consent and ethics approval within submitted manuscripts.

Plagiarism Policy

JHWCR employs robust plagiarism detection software (Turnitin), maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism. Submissions exceeding a similarity index of 19% will undergo rigorous editorial scrutiny. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism and duplicate submissions, results in immediate rejection or retraction and may lead to author sanctions.

Data Sharing and Repository Policy

In the spirit of transparency and open science, authors submitting to JHWCR are strongly encouraged to deposit data in reputable public repositories (e.g., Dryad, Figshare, Zenodo). Each submission must include a clear Data Availability Statement specifying data accessibility and any applicable restrictions. JHWCR imposes no embargo period, allowing immediate data sharing upon article publication.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Authors utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) tools in manuscript preparation or data analysis must clearly disclose the nature and extent of AI involvement within their manuscripts. AI-generated content without proper oversight, ethical validation, or disclosure is strictly prohibited and may result in rejection or retraction.

Privacy and Confidentiality Statement

JHWCR prioritizes the privacy and confidentiality of authors, reviewers, and readers. Personal data collected during the submission and review processes is strictly protected and never shared externally without explicit consent or legal necessity. Full compliance with international data protection standards is rigorously maintained.

Advertisement Policy

JHWCR accepts advertisements relevant to its readership and scholarly scope, clearly distinguishing commercial content from editorial material. Editorial independence remains uncompromised; advertisements do not influence editorial decisions. Advertisements are subject to ethical review and must align with the journal’s mission of promoting credible health-related knowledge.

Appeals and Complaints Process

JHWCR maintains a transparent, fair appeals and complaints process. Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they perceive unfair treatment or oversight. Complaints regarding ethical issues or policy violations undergo prompt investigation. Decisions from appeals and complaints committees are final and aim to uphold the integrity of scholarly communication.

Authorship and Contributor Criteria

Authorship is defined by significant contributions to conception, design, analysis, drafting, and approval of the final manuscript. The corresponding author ensures all authors meet these criteria, maintains communication with the journal, and manages any authorship disputes. JHWCR strictly prohibits ghost, guest, or gift authorship.

Double-Blind Peer Review and Editorial Oversight

JHWCR employs a rigorous double-blind peer review system to ensure unbiased assessment of submissions. At least two independent experts evaluate each manuscript anonymously. Manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening, peer review, revisions, and final editorial approval to guarantee publication of robust, high-quality research.

Withdrawal Policy

Authors may withdraw submissions prior to peer review without justification. Withdrawals during or after peer review require valid justification. Post-acceptance withdrawal is permitted only under exceptional circumstances and may incur a fee to offset editorial and production costs. Repeated unethical withdrawals may result in author sanctions.

Author Fees and Waivers

JHWCR charges a one-time publication fee of PKR 18,000 (or USD equivalent) upon article acceptance. There are no submission or processing charges. Fee waivers or reductions are available for authors facing financial hardship, particularly from low- and middle-income countries and early-career researchers. Fee payments or waivers do not influence editorial decisions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

JHWCR actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion across its editorial processes, peer review, and publication practices. Submissions addressing health disparities, social determinants of health, and inclusive healthcare innovations are particularly encouraged. The journal is committed to equitable representation of diverse global perspectives and actively reduces barriers to scholarly participation.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Policy

Every JHWCR article receives a unique DOI through CrossRef, guaranteeing permanent discoverability, stable linking, and precise citation. DOI metadata is rigorously maintained, updated as needed, and integrated into global indexing platforms, significantly enhancing research visibility and impact.

Accessibility Statement

JHWCR ensures accessibility to all content and digital resources. The journal’s website complies with WCAG 2.1 guidelines, offering features such as alt-text descriptions, keyboard navigation, and screen-reader compatibility. Manuscripts and supplemental materials are presented in multiple formats to accommodate diverse accessibility needs.