Initial Evaluation and Peer Review Process
The Turkish Journal of Dermatology maintains a rigorous, double-blind peer review policy that ensures fairness, transparency, confidentiality, and ethical integrity throughout the editorial process. All submitted manuscripts are evaluated according to internationally recognised standards, including those defined by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), ICMJE , and other relevant ethical frameworks.
1. Initial Editorial Evaluation
Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes a preliminary assessment by the editorial team. This stage includes:
Technical review for formatting compliance, completeness of required documentation, and adherence to journal guidelines.
Evaluation of relevance to the journal’s aims and scope.
Assessment of scientific quality to determine readiness for peer review.
The Editor-in-Chief assigns an appropriate editorial board member to manage the submission. Manuscripts that do not meet technical or scope requirements may be returned to the author for revision or rejected without external review.
2. Double-Blind Peer Review Process
Manuscripts deemed suitable proceed to external peer review. The Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editors assign at least two independent reviewers with subject-matter expertise.
The journal uses a double-blind model, whereby neither the authors nor the reviewers are informed of each other’s identities.
Reviewers are expected to assess the manuscript’s originality, scientific validity, ethical compliance, clarity of presentation, and contribution to the field.
The reviewers' reports are submitted to the assigned editor, who then makes a decision based on their recommendations. Editorial decisions may include: acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection. Reviewer comments are shared anonymously with the authors.
3. Ethical Standards for Peer Review
The journal’s peer review policies are informed by COPE’s Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers and the use of internationally recognised reporting standards, including but not limited to:
CONSORT (for clinical trials)
STROBE (for observational studies)
PRISMA (for systematic reviews)
SPIRIT, STARD, TRIPOD, and CARE guidelines depending on article type
Editors and reviewers are instructed to evaluate submissions objectively, based solely on academic merit, without personal or subjective bias.
Reviewer Responsibilities
Reviewers must assess manuscripts impartially, constructively, and within the specified timeframe.
Any potential conflicts of interest must be declared immediately to the Editor.
Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality and refrain from using any information obtained during the review for personal or professional advantage.
Ethical concerns, such as suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical study design, must be reported to the editorial office.
Editorial Responsibilities
Editors are responsible for ensuring the review process is ethical, timely, and free from bias.
Decisions are based on scientific quality, originality, and relevance to dermatology.
Editors are required to take appropriate actions in case of ethical breaches, including retractions or corrections.
Author Responsibilities
Authors must submit original, unpublished work and confirm that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.
All necessary ethical approvals must be obtained and documented for research involving human or animal subjects.
Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and provide complete and accurate referencing.
In the event of identified errors post-publication, authors must cooperate with the editorial office in issuing corrections or retractions.
By strictly adhering to these policies and principles, the Turkish Journal of Dermatology ensures the reliability, transparency, and scientific excellence of its editorial and publication practices.
