Publication Policies | Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences

Publication Policies

Publication Frequency*

Clearly define how often the journal will publish (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually).

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (GJMHS) is a biannual peer-reviewed medical and health sciences journal. It publishes scholarly research focusing on various fields within health and medical sciences, including original research articles, review articles, current practices, and short communications. The journal is dedicated to disseminate pioneering research within the fields of health, rehabilitation and medical sciences.

Open Access Policy*

State whether the journal is fully open access, hybrid, or subscription-based, and outline accessibility for readers.

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences is committed to the broad dissemination and accessibility of high-quality research. As an open-access journal, all published articles are freely available online under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, ensuring a wider reach and engagement in medical and health sciences research. To facilitate rapid and easy access, the journal allows free, unlimited access to the full text of all published articles. In consideration of publication, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive publishing right to reproduce, publish, and communicate the work in any medium for educational and other purposes. While the journal holds these rights, authors retain their moral rights and full ownership under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Archiving Strategy

Describe methods for long-term preservation of articles (e.g., CLOCKSS, LOCKSS, institutional repositories).

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences is dedicated to the long-term preservation and accessibility of its published content. To ensure continued availability, the journal employs secure digital archiving methods, including integration with reputable repositories and indexing databases. By utilizing LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) and CLOCKSS (Controlled LOCKSS), the journal safeguards its publications across multiple hosting libraries, ensuring their durability and accessibility for future researchers. Additionally, each article is assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to enhance its traceability, citation, and long-term discoverability.

CrossMark Policy Statement

Ensure content integrity with CrossMark to highlight updates, corrections, or retractions.

To uphold the integrity and reliability of published research, Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences follows the CrossMark policy, ensuring transparency in scholarly communication. Every article is assigned a DOI, securing its permanent availability. The journal supports version control, allowing updates or corrections to be documented and linked to the original work. As part of the CrossMark initiative, any post-publication modifications, including corrections, retractions, or updates, will be clearly indicated, ensuring readers always have access to the most current and accurate information.

Publication Ethics and Policy Guidelines*

Adhere to COPE and ICMJE guidelines, covering ethical research practices and journal policies.

Authorship Policy

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (GJMHS) follows international best practices for authorship, as recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). These guidelines ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical publication practices. For further details, authors may refer to www.icmje.org and publicationethics.org.

Authorship Criteria

To qualify for authorship in GJMHS, contributors must meet all of the following ICMJE criteria:

Significant contribution to the conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of the research.
Active involvement in drafting or critically revising the manuscript for key intellectual
Final approval of the manuscript before
Accountability for the integrity of the work, including addressing any concerns regarding its accuracy or ethical standards.

Only individuals who fulfill all these criteria should be listed as authors. Those who contribute in a lesser capacity may be acknowledged in the manuscript.

Changes to Authorship

Once a manuscript has been submitted, the list of authors cannot be altered—this includes adding or removing authors. Any exceptional cases must be formally requested with written consent from all existing authors and will be subject to editorial approval.

Contribution Statement

Authors must provide a detailed contribution statement outlining each individual's role in the research and manuscript preparation. This information must be included in the submission form, and incomplete submissions may result in delays in the review process.

Role of the Corresponding Author

The corresponding author is responsible for all communication with the journal. This includes:

Managing the submission and peer review
Addressing editorial queries in a timely
Ensuring all co-authors are informed of the manuscript’s
Remaining available after publication to respond to post-publication discussions or provide further details if required.

Author Affiliations and Contact Information

Each author’s institutional affiliation should be clearly provided in the manuscript. If an author has changed their institution after completing the research, their current affiliation should be mentioned as a footnote on the first page under Present Address.

Conflict of Interest:

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (GJMHS) upholds transparency and ethical integrity in research publication. A conflict of interest exists when an author, peer reviewer, or editor has financial, professional, or personal affiliations that could unduly influence or appear to influence their work in the publication process.

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

All authors must explicitly declare any potential conflicts of interest that could affect the objectivity of their research. These may include, but are not limited to:

Financial support, grants, honorariums, or funding received for the
Professional affiliations, memberships, or institutional roles that could influence
Personal or professional relationships that may bias the interpretation or reporting of
Academic or clinical data ownership rights tied to the study

While these competing interests are not necessarily unethical, failing to disclose them may raise concerns about research integrity.

Conflict of Interest Statement Submission

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest in the submission statement form at the time of manuscript submission.
A conflict of interest statement should also be included at the end of the manuscript before the references.
If no conflicts exist, authors should clearly state: "The authors declare no conflict of "

By ensuring full disclosure, GJMHS maintains the credibility, transparency, and ethical standards of published research.

Human and Animal Research Ethics:

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (GJMHS) requires that all research involving human participants strictly adheres to internationally recognized ethical guidelines. Authors must confirm that their study was conducted in compliance with the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki and the ethical standards set by the responsible institutional or national ethics committee.

Ethical Approval and Informed Consent

Authors must clearly state in their manuscript whether the research was approved by an Ethical Review Board (ERB) or Institutional Review Board (IRB), including the approval number and institution name.
If an institution does not have an ethics committee, approval should be obtained from a recognized external ethics board that adheres to international research ethics guidelines.
Informed consent must be obtained from all participants before involvement in the study. In the case of minors or individuals unable to provide consent, permission should be secured from a legal guardian.
Researchers must ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained by not disclosing names, initials, hospital numbers, or any other identifying details in the text, images, or supplementary materials.

Animal Research Policy

GJMHS does not process or publish studies involving animal experiments. Researchers focusing on biomedical sciences should seek alternative platforms for submitting such work.

By enforcing these ethical standards, GJMHS ensures that all published research upholds the principles of integrity, participant welfare, and transparency in medical and health sciences.

Informed Consent Policy*

Define requirements for obtaining informed consent in studies involving human participants.

GJHMS is committed to uphold the highest ethical standards in the use of patient or participant images, case reports, and other identifiable information. Authors must ensure that all relevant permissions, releases, and consent forms are obtained in compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws before submitting manuscripts containing such materials.

Obtaining Informed Consent

Written informed consent must be obtained from any participant or their legal guardian for the use of identifiable information such as names, photographs, video recordings, audio, or case specifics. This consent must be explicitly granted for the intended use, including publication and potential disclosure of the work.
Authors should ensure that participants are fully informed of the purpose for which their data or images will be used and that their consent is voluntarily given. The written consent must comply with all relevant data protection laws in the participant’s
For minors or individuals who are unable to consent due to special needs or learning disabilities, parental or guardian consent must be obtained. The consent form should specifically address the use of photographs, names, and other personal identifiers.
In cases where the parent or guardian of a minor does not agree to the use of photographs or personal information, these images should not be used in the manuscript. Only appropriate images of children, ensuring they are fully clothed, should be used to prevent any misuse of the visuals.
The privacy of the individual must always be respected. Even with consent, images or information should be presented in a way that avoids any disparaging or potentially harmful representation of the subject.

Publication Requirements

Authors must provide a statement in the manuscript confirming that informed consent was obtained from all participants, or from their parents or guardians for minors, to participate in the study and for the publication of identifiable information.
Names, initials, hospital numbers, and other identifiable information should not be used unless absolutely necessary. If used, informed consent must be explicitly granted for such details.
Images of patients or research subjects may only be used if essential to the scientific investigation and with the explicit written consent of the subject (or their legal guardian). If consent is granted, any identifying features must be removed if they are not required for the scientific purpose.
If there is any ambiguity regarding the anonymity of an image or information, informed consent is required.
In cases of completely anonymized images such as X-rays, ultrasound images, or pathology slides, formal consent is not required as long as these images are free of any identifying features and are not accompanied by any text that could lead to identification.
It is insufficient to simply anonymize a photo by obscuring the face or other features;

explicit informed consent must be obtained if there is any risk of identification.

Compliance with Ethical Guidelines

Authors should follow the CARE case report writing guidelines to ensure consistency and ethical adherence when reporting on case studies or research involving human
The editorial team reserves the right to request documentation of informed consent if there are concerns about compliance.

By adhering to these informed consent policies, GJMHS ensures the ethical integrity of research and publication while safeguarding the privacy and dignity of all participants involved.

Plagiarism Policy*

Outline the tools and methods used to detect plagiarism and consequences of non- compliance.

Originality Check

All manuscripts submitted to GJMHS undergo a thorough originality check using advanced plagiarism detection tools, including Turnitin.
Manuscripts with a similarity index of ≥20% will be returned to the authors for further clarification, revision, or correction. Authors are encouraged to address areas of overlap or citation issues prior to resubmission.
If authors have already conducted a plagiarism check using Turnitin or a similar tool, they may submit the original similarity report as a supplementary file along with the

Consequences of Plagiarism

In the event that plagiarism is discovered after the article has been published, the article will be retracted The authors may face permanent or temporary suspension from submitting to the journal, and the parent institution may be notified for internal action.

Repository Policy*

Allow authors to deposit published or pre-published versions in institutional or public repositories.

GJMHS allows authors to deposit all versions of their manuscripts in institutional or subject repositories without any embargo. Authors may freely deposit the following:

Preprint
Author’s Accepted Manuscript
Version of Record

There are no restrictions or embargoes on the deposit of these versions, and authors can make their work publicly available immediately after acceptance. This policy ensures broad accessibility and dissemination of research findings.

Advertisement Policy

Regulate advertisements to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain content integrity.

GJMHS maintains a policy ensuring the relevance, appropriateness, and compliance of all advertisements published in the journal.

Submission and Approval

All advertisements are subject to review and approval by GJMHS management for relevance and appropriateness. Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by GJMHS.

Liability and Indemnification

Advertisers must indemnify GJMHS against any legal claims arising from the content of their advertisements, including but not limited to libel, privacy violations, or copyright

Content Identification

Advertisements must clearly identify the advertiser and be distinguishable from editorial

Regulatory Compliance

Advertisements, particularly for pharmaceutical products, must comply with all relevant local laws and regulations.

Digital Advertising

Prior approval is required for any use of GJMHS’s trademarks or copyrighted materials in digital advertisements.

Cancellation Policy

Advertisements may be canceled without penalty if adequate notice is given. Late cancellations will be subject to penalties as outlined in the policy.

Advertising Agreement

Advertisers and their agencies guarantee that they are authorized to publish the advertisement content and agree to indemnify GJMHS against any legal expenses or losses incurred from the advertisement.

Proprietary and Pharmaceutical Advertising

Pharmaceutical advertisements must provide the chemical or generic name along with the quantity of active substances and recommended dosage. All pharmaceutical ad content must comply with relevant regulatory requirements and be cleared by the GJMHS advertising department.

Digital Ads Compliance

Unauthorized linking, the use of tracking technologies, or any use of GJMHS’s website content without prior approval is prohibited. GJMHS is not responsible for content on external websites promoted in advertisements.

GJMHS reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at its discretion. All advertisements must be in line with ethical standards and applicable legal requirements.

Appeals and Complaints Process*

Provide a transparent process for handling author appeals, complaints, or disputes.

Appeals process

Authors whose manuscripts have been rejected have the right to submit a formal appeal. The appeal should include a detailed explanation of the reasons why the author believes the decision was incorrect or unjust.
All appeals will be reviewed in-house by the editorial team, and a decision will be made accordingly. Authors will be informed of the outcome in a timely manner.
Once an article has been officially rejected, it will not be reconsidered, and resubmissions will not be accepted.
Manuscripts involving reproduction of previously published content or materials from other sources without proper permission will not be accepted for publication. Authors are responsible for securing permissions from the original copyright holders for any material used. A signed letter of consent from the copyright holder must accompany any external content submitted.

Complaints Process

In cases of publication misconduct, such as issues involving authorship, peer review, or editorial practices, individuals—including readers, authors, and reviewers—are encouraged to submit a formal written complaint.
Complaints should be sent to the Chief Editor via the journal's official
The Editorial Board or Advisory Board will investigate the complaint and provide recommendations to the Board regarding the appropriate course of action.
This process ensures that any potential misconduct or concerns are addressed thoroughly and transparently.

Both the Appeals and Complaints processes are designed to maintain the integrity and quality of the journal, and GJMHS is committed to handling all matters with professionalism and impartiality.

Authorship Criteria and Ethical Policies*

Define author eligibility and ethical responsibilities, including accountability for the research.

To qualify for authorship in GJMHS, contributors must meet all of the following ICMJE criteria:

Significant contribution to the conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of the research.
Active involvement in drafting or critically revising the manuscript for key intellectual
Final approval of the manuscript before
Accountability for the integrity of the work, including addressing any concerns regarding its accuracy or ethical standards.

Only individuals who fulfill all these criteria should be listed as authors. Those who contribute in a lesser capacity may be acknowledged in the manuscript.

Changes to Authorship

Contribution Statement

Role of the Corresponding Author

The corresponding author is responsible for all communication with the journal. This includes:

Managing the submission and peer review
Addressing editorial queries in a timely
Ensuring all co-authors are informed of the manuscript’s
Remaining available after publication to respond to post-publication discussions or provide further details if required.

Author Affiliations and Contact Information

Ethical Policies

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (GJMHS) is committed to maintain the highest standards of academic and publication ethics. We ensure integrity throughout the editorial process, involving authors, editors, and reviewers, and uphold ethical principles at every stage of manuscript handling.

Responsibilities of Authors:

Originality and Integrity: Authors must ensure their work is original and not plagiarized. All sources must be properly cited, and appropriate acknowledgment should be given to prior work. Instances of plagiarism or falsification of data will result in immediate rejection or retraction of the manuscript.
Dual Submission: Authors must refrain from submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously. This practice is prohibited and considered unethical.
Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research, writing, or publication process, including financial, personal, or professional affiliations.

Responsibilities of Editors:

Impartiality and Decision-Making: Editors make publication decisions solely based on the academic merit of the manuscript. No personal biases, relationships, or external influences will interfere with editorial decisions.
Confidentiality: Editors must maintain strict confidentiality regarding submitted manuscripts and not use any unpublished data or information for personal gain.
Ethical Complaint Handling: Editors are responsible for addressing any ethical complaints concerning submitted or published articles, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution process.

Responsibilities of Reviewers:

Objective and Constructive Feedback: Reviewers are expected to provide unbiased, constructive, and scholarly feedback on manuscripts. Their evaluations should focus on the quality, relevance, and rigor of the research.
Confidentiality: Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the review process and not share any manuscript details with unauthorized parties.
Conflict of Interest and Misconduct: Reviewers should immediately inform the editor of any conflicts of interest, or if they suspect plagiarism, data inconsistencies, or other unethical practices within the manuscript.

Addressing Misconduct:

GJMHS takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and is committed to thoroughly investigating any concerns while maintaining confidentiality for all involved parties. If misconduct is confirmed, the following measures will be considered:

Retraction: If necessary, articles may be retracted from
Notification to Relevant Authorities: Institutions or organizations linked to the authors may be notified if misconduct is confirmed.
Barring from Future Submissions: Authors or reviewers found guilty of serious misconduct may be prohibited from submitting to or reviewing for GJMHS in the future.

Double-Blind Peer Review & Editorial Process*

Ensure fairness, confidentiality, and rigorous standards in peer review.

Manuscript Submission

Online Submission Portal: Authors submit their manuscripts through an online portal (OJS), where they are required to fill out details about the article, including the title, abstract, keywords, and authorship information.
Initial Screening: Upon submission, the manuscript undergoes an initial editorial check

for relevance to the journal, adherence to formatting guidelines, and overall quality.

Editorial Review

Assignment of Editor: Once the initial screening is complete, the Managing Editor (ME) assigns the manuscript to an Editor (E), based on the subject area and expertise. The E ensures the manuscript fits within the scope of GJMHS.
Pre-Review Checks: The Ethics Editor (EE) checks for ethical compliance (e.g., informed consent, plagiarism) and whether the manuscript aligns with the journal’s objectives. Any immediate concerns are communicated to the author for clarification or

Double-Blind Peer Review

Selection of Reviewers: The Publishing Editor (PE) selects two independent reviewers who are experts in the manuscript’s field. Both reviewers remain anonymous to the authors, and the authors remain anonymous to the reviewers.
Peer Review Process: Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on several criteria:

Relevance to the journal's scope
Originality and significance of the research
Clarity of presentation and structure
Methodological rigor and data analysis
Contribution to the field of mental health studies

Review Timeline: Reviewers are given 3-4 weeks to complete their If additional time is needed, the PE may extend the deadline based on reviewer availability.

Review Decision

Review Outcome: After the reviews are submitted, the PE assesses the feedback from both reviewers and makes a recommendation to the Editor-in-Chief (EiC) regarding one of the following decisions:

Accept: Manuscript is suitable for publication without changes or with minimal
Minor Revisions: Manuscript requires minor changes, which should be addressed in a 1-2 week period.
Major Revisions: Significant changes are needed, with a recommended 4-6 week revision timeline.
Reject: Manuscript does not meet the journal's standards or

Communication to Authors: The PE compiles a summary of the reviewers' comments and shares the decision with the authors. In case of revisions, authors are given the opportunity to submit a revised manuscript addressing the feedback.

Revisions

Resubmission Process: Authors who are asked to revise their manuscript are required to submit a detailed response letter outlining how they addressed each reviewer comment.
Second Round of Review: If the revisions are substantial, the manuscript may go through a second round of peer review (sometimes only one reviewer will be re-engaged if the revisions are minor). The PE assesses the revised manuscript and reviewer feedback before proceeding.

Final Editorial Decision

Decision: The EiC reviews the revised manuscript, the PE's recommendation, and the reviewers' feedback before making the final decision. If the manuscript is accepted, the publication process begins.
Final Approval: After final approval, the PE notifies the authors and guides them through the final stages, including the publication fee and any additional author

Post-Acceptance

Proofreading & Copy Editing: Accepted manuscripts are sent to a professional copyeditor who reviews the language, grammar, and overall presentation of the article, ensuring it meets the journal's standards.
Publication Fee: Authors are notified of the publication fee (which is clearly communicated at the time of submission). Payment is processed before the article is published in the journal.
Online Publication: Once all administrative tasks, such as payment and proofreading, are completed, the manuscript is published online in the upcoming issue of the journal. Authors are provided with a DOI and a link to the published paper.

Ethical Considerations

Conflict of Interest: All parties involved (authors, reviewers, and editors) must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Manuscripts with undisclosed conflicts may be
Plagiarism Check: Every manuscript undergoes a plagiarism check using trusted tools, ensuring the originality of submitted work.

Transparency & Communication

Feedback to Reviewers: Reviewers receive feedback on their reviews, acknowledging their contribution to the process.

Final Checklist and Publication

Before publication, the editorial team checks the manuscript for formatting consistency, citation style, and any required revisions.
The manuscript is published online, and a final notification is sent to the author with details about the issue and DOI.

By keeping the process rigorous yet transparent, the GJMHS ensures high-quality publications while also providing authors with clear guidelines and feedback at every stage of the process. This double-blind peer review system promotes fairness, accuracy, and integrity in all stages of the publication process.

Withdrawal Policy*

Clarify conditions and procedures for manuscript withdrawal by authors or the editorial team.

Authors may withdraw their manuscript at any stage before publication, but a clear reason must be provided. Withdrawals post-acceptance are only allowed under exceptional circumstances and require substantial justification.

Withdrawal Procedure:

Request: Authors must notify the editorial office via email of their intention to withdraw the manuscript.
Withdrawal Form: Upon notification, the editorial office will send a Manuscript Withdrawal Form to be signed by all authors. The form must be scanned and returned via
Confirmation: After receipt of the signed form, a final confirmation letter will be sent to the authors, acknowledging the withdrawal.

Ethical Considerations:

Manuscripts cannot be used elsewhere unless officially withdrawn. Failure to provide a formal withdrawal letter will result in ethical misconduct.
Authors must ensure they do not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously, as this violates ethical guidelines.

Upon submission, GJMHS holds the copyright to the

Privacy Statement*

Protect personal data of authors, reviewers, and readers in compliance with data protection laws.

Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (GJMHS) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information provided by authors, reviewers, and other stakeholders. We value the trust placed in us and adhere to a strict policy for the protection of personal data shared with us.

This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your information. All stakeholders are encouraged to read and understand this policy before submitting any personal information or engaging with GJMHS.

Collection and Use of Personal Information

Authors and Reviewers: When authors or reviewers engage with GJMHS (e.g., submitting a manuscript, participating in peer review, or communicating with the editorial team), we may collect personal details such as names, contact information, academic affiliation, job title, and other relevant data.
Purpose: This data is used solely for processing manuscript submissions, conducting peer reviews, facilitating communications, and maintaining records related to the journal’s operations.

Third-Party Disclosure

Limited Sharing: We may share personal information with trusted third-party partners such as publishers or event organizers who assist in journal operations. However, we ensure that these parties adhere to the same privacy standards.
No Unauthorized Sharing: We will not share your personal information with any third parties without your explicit consent, except where required by law or for services directly related to the journal's operation.

Rights of Authors and Reviewers

Data Ownership and Control: Authors and reviewers have ownership of their personal data. You may request access, correction, or deletion of your personal information at any time by contacting the editorial office.
Intellectual Property: We respect the intellectual property rights of authors and reviewers. Authors retain the copyright to their work, while GJMHS holds the rights for publication and dissemination as specified under the terms of the publication agreement.

Policy Changes

GJMHS reserves the right to modify this privacy policy at any time. Changes will be communicated to authors and reviewers via email or website notice. All updates will be reviewed and approved by the editorial board.

Author Fees and Waivers*

Detail article processing charges (APCs) and conditions for waivers or discounts.

At GJMHS, we are committed to ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent the publication of valuable research. Therefore, we have adopted the following author fees and waivers policy:

No Processing Charges: There are no processing charges required at any stage of the submission or review process.
Publication Charges: Upon acceptance of a manuscript, a publication fee of PKR 2000

is applicable. This fee covers the cost of publication and dissemination of your article.

Waivers: If an author does not have the necessary funds to pay the publication charges, they may request a full or partial waiver. Waiver requests will be considered on a case- by-case basis.
Objective: We do not want the publication of worthy material to be hindered by financial barriers. Our policy ensures that important research can be shared with the academic community regardless of an author’s financial capacity.

Authors are encouraged to reach out to the editorial team for further details regarding the waiver application process.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Commit to inclusivity in submissions, editorial board composition, and research topics.

GJMHS is firmly dedicated to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within all aspects of our journal. We believe that the inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential for advancing scientific inquiry and promoting a deeper understanding of health and rehabilitation issues. We strive to provide equal opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, geographic location, or socioeconomic background. Our commitment to DEI is reflected in our editorial processes, the diversity of our peer reviewers, and the content we publish. We actively seek to showcase research that highlights the experiences of underrepresented communities and addresses issues related to health disparities, accessibility, and inclusion. GJMHS encourages authors to explore DEI topics and ensure that their research is inclusive of diverse populations and viewpoints. We are also dedicated to ensure that our editorial boards, reviewers, and contributors represent a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, further enriching the quality and reach of the research we publish. By embracing diversity and inclusion, we aim to create a platform where all voices are heard, valued, and empowered, driving positive change in the fields of health and rehabilitation.

Data Sharing Policy*

Encourage or mandate data availability for reproducibility, with appropriate repositories or access restrictions.

GJMHS strongly advocates for the sharing of research data to enhance the credibility, reproducibility, and overall impact of the research it publishes. This policy outlines the expectations for data sharing associated with articles submitted to the journal, fostering transparency, collaboration, and the advancement of scientific knowledge in the fields of health and rehabilitation.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to encourage authors to share their research data to facilitate scientific discovery, support the validation of research findings, and promote collaboration. Sharing data helps to build trust in research outcomes, opens avenues for new research questions, and enhances the overall scientific discourse within the community.

Scope

This policy applies to all manuscripts submitted to GJMHS, including original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and any other research outputs.

Data Availability Statement

Authors are required to include a data availability statement with their manuscript. This statement should address the following:

Availability of Data: Information on how the dataset(s) can be accessed, and whether they are publicly available.
Repository Information: The repository where the data is stored, including a persistent identifier or DOI where applicable.
Conditions for Access: Any conditions if the data is not publicly available, such as access restrictions or availability on request.
Rationale for Non-Availability: If the data cannot be shared, authors must provide a clear justification for this.

Public Repositories

Authors are encouraged to deposit their data in recognized, publicly accessible repositories that align with their data type and research field. This ensures the long-term preservation and

accessibility of the data. Suitable repositories include, but are not limited to, Dryad, Figshare, or institutional repositories.

Exceptions and Restrictions

GJMHS recognizes that data sharing may be restricted due to ethical, privacy, or legal concerns. In such cases, authors should specify these restrictions in the data availability statement and provide clear justification. Common reasons for restricted access include confidentiality agreements, participant consent limitations, and proprietary data.

Ethical and Legal Compliance

Authors must ensure that data sharing complies with ethical standards and legal requirements, such as participant consent and data privacy protections. Where applicable, data should be de- identified to protect participant confidentiality and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Data Citation

All datasets should be properly cited in the manuscript’s reference list according to scholarly citation practices. Where available, authors should provide a persistent identifier or DOI for the dataset. This ensures proper credit to the data creators and facilitates future access to the data.

Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance with this data sharing policy is a condition of publication in GJMHS. The journal reserves the right to request additional information regarding data sharing practices from authors, and may consider non-compliance as a factor for manuscript rejection. Authors may be asked to revise their data sharing practices before their manuscript is accepted for publication.

Support for Authors

GJMHS is committed to supporting authors in meeting the requirements of this data sharing policy. Authors with any questions or concerns regarding data sharing are encouraged to reach out to the editorial office for assistance. We strive to make data sharing as straightforward and transparent as possible, while ensuring that ethical standards are maintained.

Accessibility Statement

Ensure content accessibility for individuals with disabilities, following WCAG standards.

GJMHS is dedicated to ensure that our content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. We aim to comply with web accessibility standards by making our website and digital materials compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers. We focus on clear, logical navigation, use descriptive alt text for images, and provide captions or transcripts for multimedia content. We are continuously working to enhance accessibility and encourage feedback from users to help us improve their experience.

Environmental Policy

Promote sustainable publishing practices (e.g., minimizing print copies, encouraging digital dissemination).

GJMHS is committed to minimize our environmental footprint while advancing research. We operate predominantly in digital formats to reduce paper consumption, support remote collaboration to lower travel-related carbon emissions, and prioritize vendors who align with sustainable practices. Additionally, we promote research and discussions on environmental sustainability within health and rehabilitation, contributing to a broader awareness and commitment to environmental responsibility in the academic community.