Article Submission Process

HealthCare Research Journal (HCRJ) follows a structured and rigorous process to ensure that all submitted manuscripts are evaluated fairly, thoroughly, and efficiently. Below is a detailed guide to the submission process, from manuscript preparation to final decision.

Step 1: Manuscript Preparation

• Review Guidelines: Authors should first review the Submission Checklist on the HCRJ website to ensure their manuscript meets all formatting and content requirements.
• Manuscript Structure: Prepare the manuscript according to the specified structure for the type of article being submitted as mentioned on Manuscript Types.
• Formatting: Ensure the manuscript is formatted according to the journal’s specifications, including font type, size, margins, and reference style.
• Figures and Tables: Use high-quality figures and tables, ensuring they are properly labeled and referenced in the text.
• Ethical Compliance: Ensure all ethical guidelines are followed, including obtaining IRB approvals for clinical trials, registration or clinical trial on a public directory, and ensuring informed consent for case reports.
  

Step 2: Submission

• Online Submission System: Submit the manuscript through the HCRJ’s Online Submission Form.
• Submission Checklist: Complete the submission checklist to confirm that all elements required for submission are included.
• Cover Letter: Include a cover letter that briefly describes the significance of the work, its relevance to the journal, and any other pertinent information.
• Disclosure Forms: Submit completed ICMJE Disclosure Forms for all authors, detailing any conflicts of interest and sources of funding.
• Supplementary Materials: Upload any supplementary materials, such as additional data files, appendices, or supplementary figures.

Step 3: Initial Screening

• Editorial Office Review: The editorial office will conduct an initial review to ensure the manuscript meets basic submission requirements and is within the scope of the journal.
• Plagiarism Check: The manuscript will be checked for plagiarism.

Step 4: Peer Review

Step 5: Editorial Decision

• Decision Making: Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the editor makes a decision on the manuscript. Possible decisions include:
• Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication with or without minor revisions.
• Revise and Resubmit: The authors are asked to make specific revisions and resubmit the manuscript.
• Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in the journal.
• Notification: The corresponding author is notified of the decision via email, along with reviewers’ comments and any required revisions.
  

Step 6: Revision and Resubmission

• Addressing Reviewer Comments: If revisions are required, the authors must address all reviewer comments and make the necessary changes to the manuscript.
• Resubmission: The revised manuscript is resubmitted through the Online Submission Form, accompanied by a response letter detailing how each comment was addressed.
• Secondary Review: The revised manuscript may undergo a second round of peer review, particularly if major revisions were required.
  

Step 7: Final Decision

• Final Approval: If the revised manuscript meets all requirements, the editor gives final approval for publication.
• Proofreading: Authors receive galley proofs for final review and approval before publication.
• Publication: The manuscript is published online in the HealthCare Research Journal.
  

Step 8: Post-Publication

• Article Promotion: Authors are encouraged to promote their published work through social media, academic networks, and other channels.
• Post-Publication Feedback: Readers can submit comments, questions, or criticisms about published articles, to which authors are expected to respond appropriately.
  

For detailed instructions and access to the online submission system, please visit our Submission Guidelines page.