Peer Review Process

Jurnal Viva Medika implements a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure scientific quality, methodological rigor, and ethical compliance of all published articles.

Initial Editorial Screening

All submitted manuscripts are first evaluated by the Editorial Office. The screening process assesses:

a. Scope alignment with the journal’s focus areas.
b. Compliance with author guidelines and manuscript format.
c. Completeness of required documents, including ethical clearance and plagiarism report.
d. Similarity index, which must not exceed 25 percent.

Manuscripts that fail to meet administrative or ethical requirements may be returned to the authors prior to peer review.

Assignment to Handling Editor

Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to a Handling Editor based on subject expertise. The Handling Editor evaluates the manuscript’s scientific relevance, novelty, and methodological soundness before sending it for peer review.

Double-Blind Peer Review

The journal applies a double-blind review system. The identities of authors and reviewers are concealed from each other throughout the review process.

Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with expertise relevant to the manuscript topic. Reviewers assess the manuscript based on:

a. Originality and contribution to knowledge.
b. Scientific rigor and methodological appropriateness.
c. Clarity of presentation and logical structure.
d. Ethical considerations and reporting transparency.
e. Relevance to clinical practice, policy, or health informatics development.

Review Outcomes

Based on reviewers’ recommendations, the editorial decision may be:

a. Accept without revision.
b. Minor revision.
c. Major revision.
d. Reject.

The final decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief or delegated editorial authority.

Revision Stage

If revision is required, authors must:

a. Revise the manuscript according to all reviewer comments.
b. Clearly highlight all revisions in the manuscript.
c. Submit a mandatory Response to Reviewers Form addressing each comment individually and indicating the location of revisions.

Revised submissions without the required Response to Reviewers Form will not proceed to further evaluation.

Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further assessment when necessary.

Final Decision and Production

Once a manuscript is accepted, it proceeds to copyediting, layout editing, and proofreading. Authors will receive proofs for final checking prior to publication.

Timeline

Submission to first decision: approximately 7 days.
Submission to acceptance: approximately 50 days.
Acceptance to online publication: approximately 12 days.
Acceptance rate: approximately 25 percent.

The journal is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, confidentiality, and objectivity throughout the peer review process.