Editorial Policies for International Journal of Nutrition
Clear standards that protect research integrity, improve author experience, and keep IJN trusted by readers, reviewers, and indexing partners worldwide.
Journal Metrics
Consistent, transparent publishing metrics help authors plan submissions and track impact. The following benchmarks are applied across the International Journal of Nutrition.
Journal At a Glance
International Journal of Nutrition is a peer reviewed, open access journal focused on clinical nutrition, public health nutrition, dietary assessment, and food science. The journal emphasizes transparent methods, data availability, and rapid dissemination for real world impact.
- ISSN: 2379-7835
- Open access publishing model
- DOI assigned to every article
- Global readership and indexing distribution
Editorial Independence
IJN decisions are based on scientific quality, relevance, and methodological rigor. Editorial independence ensures that commercial interests do not influence acceptance, rejection, or editorial commentary.
Editors follow documented criteria for scope, ethics, and reporting quality. The journal maintains consistent standards across all submissions.
This safeguards author trust and long term journal credibility.
Peer Review Model
IJN uses a structured peer review process to evaluate originality, validity, and significance. Reviewers are selected for subject matter expertise and declared conflicts are managed before review begins.
- Initial editorial screening for scope and quality
- Single blind peer review with at least two reviewers
- Decision based on reviewer reports and editorial assessment
- Revisions evaluated against clear response requirements
Review Timelines and Transparency
IJN maintains transparent timelines so authors can plan around funding cycles and professional deadlines. Editors and reviewers are asked to adhere to benchmark timelines, and delays are communicated promptly.
- Clear targets for first decision and revision cycles
- Status updates provided during review stages
- Editorial notes summarize key reasons for decisions
Research Ethics and Integrity
All submissions must follow ethical research standards, including human subject protections and animal welfare requirements. IJN expects authors to provide ethical approval details and informed consent statements when required.
Ethics documentation should be consistent across all revisions and supplemental files.
- Plagiarism screening for all submissions
- Image integrity checks for figures and graphics
- Authorship confirmation and contribution clarity
- Conflict of interest disclosures
Authorship and Contributor Roles
IJN follows clear authorship criteria to ensure accountability and transparency. All listed authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to the submission.
- Describe each author contribution clearly
- Acknowledge funding and institutional support
- Disclose medical writing or editorial assistance
- Address contributor roles for data analysis and study design
Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern
IJN follows established publication ethics guidance for corrections and retractions. If errors are identified after publication, the journal publishes transparent notices that protect the integrity of the research record.
Authors are expected to cooperate with investigations and supply underlying data when requested.
Post Publication Discussion
Scholarly discussion after publication is encouraged when it is evidence based and constructive. Readers may submit comments or clarifications, and authors are invited to respond when appropriate.
If substantial issues are identified, IJN will evaluate the concern and take the appropriate editorial action.
This process supports transparency while protecting the integrity of the published record.
Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal editorial decisions by providing a clear, evidence based rationale. Appeals are evaluated by a senior editor not involved in the original decision.
Complaints related to ethics, reviewer conduct, or editorial process are handled confidentially and resolved with documented outcomes.
Appeals should be submitted promptly with specific responses to reviewer concerns so the editorial team can assess the request efficiently.
Data, Reporting, and Transparency
IJN promotes complete reporting for nutrition research, including study design, participant flow, and statistical analysis. Data availability statements, funding disclosures, and limitations should be clearly described.
- Clinical trials should provide registration details
- Systematic reviews should include search strategy summaries
- Observational studies should address bias and confounding
- Nutrition intervention studies should report adherence
Authors should state protocol deviations and explain how they affect interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does open access change editorial decisions?
No. Acceptance is based solely on scientific merit and scope.
How are conflicts of interest handled?
Conflicts are disclosed and managed before reviewer assignment.
Can I appeal a decision?
Yes. Provide a structured response and evidence to support the appeal.
Are corrections published?
Yes. Corrections are issued when errors affect interpretation or clarity.