Every manuscript submitted to Journal of Health Science (Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan), Universitas Wiraraja, is evaluated through a double-blind peer review: the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential from each other. The journal is published twice a year, in May and November.

Review stages

1. Submission. The author submits the manuscript with the required files and a statement that it is original and not under review elsewhere.
2. Initial screening. The Editor-in-Chief or a handling editor checks scope, formatting according to the author guidelines, and similarity (plagiarism) results. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements are rejected or returned to the author before review.
3. Reviewer assignment. The editor invites at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the manuscript's field. Reviewers must have no conflict of interest with the authors.
4. Peer review. Reviewers evaluate the manuscript using the criteria below and send their comments and recommendation to the editor within the deadline set by the journal.
5. Editorial decision. Based on the reviews, the editor decides to accept, accept with minor revision, request major revision, or reject. If reviewers disagree, the editor may invite an additional reviewer.
6. Revision. The author revises the manuscript and submits a point-by-point response to the reviewers' comments. Revised manuscripts may be sent back to the reviewers.
7. Final decision and copyediting. After the editor accepts the revised manuscript, it goes through copyediting, proofreading, and author approval of the proofs.
8. Publication. The accepted manuscript is scheduled for the next issue, in May or November.

Review criteria

• Originality and contribution to health science.
• Suitability of the research design, methods, and analysis.
• Ethical clearance and informed consent, where human participants or data are involved.
• Accuracy, clarity, and consistency of results, discussion, and conclusions.
• Quality of references and writing.

Possible decisions

• Accept: the manuscript can be published with no or only minor editing.
• Minor revision: small changes are needed before acceptance.
• Major revision: substantial changes are needed, and the manuscript will be reviewed again.
• Reject: the manuscript does not meet the journal's standards.

Reviewer and editor ethics

• Reviewers keep the manuscript confidential and do not use its content for their own work.
• Reviewers disclose any conflict of interest and decline to review if one exists.
• Reviews are objective, constructive, and free of personal criticism.
• Editors decide on academic merit only, without regard to the authors' origin, gender, or institution.
• Authors who disagree with a decision may send a written appeal to the Editor-in-Chief, who will respond after consulting the Editorial Board.