Editorial Policies

Commitment to Ethical Publishing and Research Integrity

The Archives of Case Reports (ACR) is committed to publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed case reports that contribute to medical knowledge and clinical advancements. Our editorial policies are designed to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in medical publishing.

We adhere to the principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) to ensure fairness and credibility in the review and publication process.

Editorial and Peer Review Process

ACR follows a single-blind peer review process, where reviewers remain anonymous while authors' identities are disclosed. This ensures an unbiased evaluation while maintaining accountability. The peer review process includes:

  • Initial Screening: Manuscripts are reviewed for relevance, adherence to journal guidelines, and ethical compliance.
  • Plagiarism Check: Submissions are screened using iThenticate to ensure originality.
  • Expert Review: Each case report is assessed by specialists in the relevant medical field.
  • Editorial Decision: Based on reviewer recommendations, manuscripts are accepted, revised, or rejected.
  • Revisions & Final Approval: Authors must address reviewer feedback before final publication.

Ethical Considerations and Publication Ethics

ACR follows strict ethical guidelines to prevent research misconduct. Key ethical considerations include:

  • Informed Consent: Case reports involving human subjects must have signed patient consent for publication.
  • Confidentiality: Authors must ensure patient privacy and remove identifiable details.
  • Authorship Integrity: All contributors must meet ICMJE authorship criteria.
  • Plagiarism & Duplicate Submission: Any detected plagiarism or previously published work will lead to rejection.
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential conflicts.

Open Access and Licensing Policy

ACR is an open-access journal, allowing unrestricted access to published content. All articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), permitting free sharing and adaptation with proper credit.

Submission Guidelines and Editorial Process

Authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts through our online submission system. Key submission requirements include:

  • Manuscript Formatting: Submissions must follow ACR’s formatting guidelines.
  • Review Timeline: The peer review process takes approximately 3-5 weeks.
  • Final Publication: Accepted articles are published online for immediate access.

Data Sharing and Transparency Policy

Authors are encouraged to share data that support their case reports in public repositories. ACR requires a data availability statement detailing how data can be accessed.

Appeals, Retractions, and Corrections

Authors can appeal editorial decisions with supporting justifications. Post-publication corrections or retractions will follow COPE guidelines to uphold research integrity.

Contact Editorial Office

For inquiries regarding editorial policies, please contact the ACR editorial office at [email protected].

We are committed to advancing medical knowledge through the publication of impactful case reports!