Peer Review Policy

Peer Review Policy :

The Journal of Khyber College of Dentistry (JKCD) employs a rigorous peer review process to ensure the quality, integrity, and ethical standards of all published research. Our process follows COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines and best practices.

  1. Initial Editorial Screening (Triage)
    All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial review by the JKCD Editorial Team. Manuscripts are assessed for:
  • Relevance to the journal’s scope
  • Originality and scientific quality
  • Compliance with ethical standards, including informed consent and research approval
  • Clarity and adherence to submission guidelines

Based on this assessment, a manuscript may be:

  • Accepted for further peer review
  • Returned to authors with requests for revision
  • Rejected, with clear reasons provided
  1. Peer Review Process
    Manuscripts passing the initial screening undergo a double-blind peer review, in which both the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed. Each manuscript is reviewed by two expert reviewers (one local and one international) registered with the JKCD.
  • Reviewers are selected based on expertise and absence of conflicts of interest.
  • Authors may suggest potential reviewers; however, the editorial team has final discretion in reviewer selection and conducts a thorough assessment to prevent conflicts of interest.
  • Reviewers are expected to provide constructive, unbiased, and timely feedback to support editorial decisions.
  1. Confidentiality
    JKCD maintains strict confidentiality throughout the review process. Manuscripts and related communications must not be shared or used for personal advantage by authors or reviewers.
  2. Editorial Decisions and Retractions
    The editorial board reserves the right to retract or correct any article if concerns regarding research integrity, quality, or ethical compliance arise before or after publication. Retractions follow COPE guidelines and may be initiated in cases of:
  • Plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification of data
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Serious methodological errors
  1. Ethical Compliance
    All research must adhere to relevant ethical standards, including approval from an appropriate ethics committee and, where applicable, informed consent from study participants.
  2. Transparency and Integrity
    JKCD is committed to transparency, fairness, and integrity at all stages of the review and publication process. Editors, authors, and reviewers are expected to uphold these principles.