About The Journal

Adherence to Editorial and Publication Guidelines
The Van Medical Journal ensures the integrity and quality of its editorial and publication processes by aligning with established industry guidelines and standards. The journal follows the principles and recommendations of several influential organizations, including:

International Council of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE): The ICMJE sets forth ethical and practical standards for medical journal editors and authors. Adherence to these guidelines helps ensure transparency, fairness, and high ethical standards in the publication process.

World Association of Medical Editors (WAME): WAME provides guidance and resources for medical editors and publishers. By adhering to WAME recommendations, the journal contributes to the professionalism and ethical conduct of medical publishing.

Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): COPE is a leading authority on publication ethics and best practices. By following COPE guidelines, the journal promotes the responsible and ethical publication of research.

European Association of Science Editors (EASE): EASE focuses on improving the quality of scientific communication and publishing. Compliance with EASE principles enhances the clarity and transparency of the journal's editorial and publication processes.

By shaping its editorial and publication procedures in accordance with these esteemed organizations' guidelines, the Van Medical Journal ensures that its content is produced and disseminated in a manner that upholds the highest ethical, professional, and quality standards in the field of medical publishing. This commitment benefits both authors and readers, promoting trust and reliability in the journal's content.

Aims and Scope of the Van Medical Journal
Van Medical Journal, a non-profit scientific publication, is affiliated with the Van Yuzuncu Yıl University Faculty of Medicine. Established in 1997, the journal has maintained a consistent publishing schedule, releasing four issues annually in January, April, July, and October. It operates as an open-access international journal with English as its official publication language.

The primary mission of the Van Medical Journal is to contribute to the global scientific community by disseminating valuable research findings across all medical disciplines. The journal seeks to achieve this mission by providing a platform for the publication of articles falling into various categories, including clinical research, invited reviews, case reports, and letters to the editor.

Van Medical Journal welcomes contributions from a diverse group of authors, including faculty members, research assistants, and specialist physicians. It encourages these professionals to share their research outcomes and insights in all branches of medicine. This inclusive approach aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange within the medical field.

For an article to be considered for publication in Van Medical Journal, it must meet certain criteria:

• Originality: Submitted articles should not have been previously published in any other scientific publication, even in a different language.
• Exclusive Submission: Articles under evaluation by other journals should not be simultaneously submitted to Van Medical Journal.
• Meeting Presentations: If an article has been presented at a scientific meeting, the authors are required to provide details, including the name of the meeting, the date, and the location (city and country) where the meeting was held.

Van Medical Journal, as an internationally recognized peer-reviewed journal, is committed to providing a platform for the exchange of scientific knowledge and research findings in the field of medicine. Through its regular publication schedule and adherence to rigorous publication standards, the journal aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and medical professionals worldwide.

Editorial Structure of Van Medical Journal
Editor-in-Chief:

• Authority: The Editor-in-Chief holds the highest authority within the journal's editorial structure. Editor-in-Chief have complete control over the scientific content and the publication schedule.
• Initial Evaluation: The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the initial evaluation of all incoming articles. This entails a thorough review of the submissions.
• Decision-Making: Based on the initial assessment, the Editor-in-Chief makes the critical decision of either appointing an associate editor or rejecting the article.
• Final Decision: Unless there are major issues, such as ethical consent deficiencies or significant inconsistencies, the Editor-in-Chief typically concurs with the recommendations made by associate editors.

Associate Editors:

• Manuscript Evaluation: Associate Editors are responsible for evaluating submitted manuscripts within their area of expertise. They assess the quality, originality, and significance of the research presented, determining whether the manuscript is suitable for peer review.
• Peer Review Management: Associate Editors oversee the peer review process for assigned manuscripts. This involves selecting appropriate peer reviewers, managing the review timeline, and synthesizing reviewer comments to make informed editorial decisions.
• Editorial Decision Making: Associate Editors make editorial decisions based on reviewer comments, author responses, and their own evaluation of the manuscript. They determine whether to accept the manuscript for publication, request revisions, or reject it based on the suitability and quality of the research.
• Editorial Board Collaboration: Associate Editors collaborate closely with the Editor-in-Chief and other members of the Editorial Board. They participate in editorial meetings, contribute to strategic planning discussions, and provide input on journal policies and initiatives.
• Quality Assurance: Associate Editors ensure the quality and integrity of published content by upholding editorial standards and ethical guidelines. They conduct thorough evaluations of manuscripts, address any concerns or discrepancies that arise during the review process, and work to prevent plagiarism or other forms of misconduct.
• Editorial Decision Transparency: Associate Editors communicate editorial decisions to authors in a clear, timely, and professional manner. They provide constructive feedback to authors to help improve the quality of their research and manuscript preparation, fostering a positive and supportive peer review process.

Editorial Board:

• Reviewing Manuscripts: Editorial Board members review submitted manuscripts within their area of expertise. They assess the quality, originality, and significance of the research presented, providing valuable feedback to authors and assisting the Editor-in-Chief in making editorial decisions.
• Setting Editorial Policies: The Editorial Board collaborates with the Editor-in-Chief to establish and uphold editorial policies and standards. This includes defining the scope of the journal, determining submission guidelines, and ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines and publication standards.
• Selecting Reviewers: Editorial Board members assist in identifying and selecting appropriate peer reviewers for submitted manuscripts. They may suggest potential reviewers based on their knowledge of the field and help ensure a fair and rigorous peer review process.
• Editorial Decision Making: Ultimately, the Editorial Board shares responsibility with the Editor-in-Chief for making editorial decisions, such as accepting, rejecting, or requesting revisions to submitted manuscripts. They evaluate reviewer comments and author responses to ensure that decisions are fair, transparent, and consistent with the journal's standards.

Assistant Editor:

• Manuscript Handling: Assistant Editors assist in managing the flow of manuscripts through the submission and peer review process. This includes logging submissions, assigning manuscripts to appropriate reviewers, and tracking the progress of peer review.
• Communication with Authors and Reviewers: Assistant Editors serve as a point of contact for authors and reviewers, facilitating communication throughout the editorial process. They may correspond with authors regarding manuscript status, requests for revisions, and final publication decisions, as well as communicate with reviewers to ensure timely completion of peer reviews.
• Copyediting and Proofreading: Assistant Editors may be involved in copyediting and proofreading accepted manuscripts to ensure clarity, consistency, and adherence to journal style guidelines. This may involve checking for grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors, as well as verifying citations and references.
• Quality Control: Assistant Editors play a role in ensuring the quality and integrity of published content. This may involve conducting plagiarism checks, verifying author affiliations and disclosures, and addressing any concerns or discrepancies that arise during the editorial process.

Statistics Editor:

• Evaluation: The Statistics Editor focuses on the statistical aspects of the submitted articles. They assess the validity and appropriateness of the statistical methods employed in the research. This ensures the accuracy and reliability of the data analysis.

Language Editor:

• Language Proficiency: The Language Editor's role is to evaluate the language proficiency of the articles. They check grammar, sentence structure, and the overall clarity of the language used, thereby ensuring that the content is presented in a professional and understandable manner.

Integrity Concerns:

• Editorial Discretion: Any editor, including the Editor-in-Chief, has the authority to reject an article if they have concerns about the integrity of the work. This decision can be made at any point in the editorial process, even after the article has initially been accepted.
• In summary, the Van Medical Journal's editorial structure involves a well-defined hierarchy where the Editor-in-Chief plays a pivotal role in decision-making, while associate editors, Statistics Editors, and Language Editors are assigned to ensure the quality, accuracy, and language proficiency of the articles published in the journal. The journal maintains a commitment to upholding the integrity of the work it publishes.

Archiving
The Van Medical Journal takes the archiving of its published articles seriously to ensure their accessibility and preservation for the future. As part of its archiving practices, the journal follows the following procedures:

• Online Archiving: All articles published in the Van Medical Journal are made available and stored on the journal's website. This online archive ensures that the articles can be accessed by researchers, scholars, and readers from around the world. It provides a convenient and up-to-date repository of the journal's content.
• Print Archiving: In addition to online archiving, the journal maintains a physical archive of all published articles. These printed copies are stored in the archive of the Faculty of Medicine. Print archiving serves as a long-term, tangible record of the journal's contributions to the field of medicine and research.

By adopting both online and print archiving methods, the Van Medical Journal ensures that its valuable content remains accessible and preserved for the benefit of the scientific community, contributing to the journal's historical record and continued relevance in the field of medicine.

No Fees Policy:
The Van Medical Journal has a firm commitment to a no-fee policy, both during the evaluation of articles and the publication process. The journal does not charge any fees to authors, ensuring an open and accessible platform for sharing scientific research. Furthermore, it's important to note that the journal does not provide payment to authors for articles that are accepted and published.

This no-fee policy underscores the journal's dedication to providing an equitable and open environment for researchers to contribute to the scientific community without financial barriers, reflecting its commitment to the advancement of medical knowledge and research.

Appeals and Complaints Procedure:
The Van Medical Journal has established a clear procedure for handling appeals and complaints, which is aligned with the guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Here's an overview of how appeals and complaints are managed:

• Handling Authority: Appeals and complaints related to published articles are addressed by the journal's Editorial Board. This board is responsible for reviewing and resolving these issues in accordance with COPE guidelines.
• Basis for Objections: It is important to note that objections and complaints must be founded on the scientific content of the article. This ensures that the process is focused on maintaining the quality and integrity of the research.
• Final Decision: The final decision regarding the appeal or complaint is made by the Editor-in-Chief of the journal. The Editor-in-Chief plays a key role in the resolution of these matters.
• Ethics Editor: In cases where internal resolution is not possible or when specialized expertise is required, an Ethics Editor is appointed. This individual is designated to handle complex cases that cannot be resolved through the usual channels.
• Contact Information: Authors who wish to raise objections or submit complaints should contact the Editor-in-Chief via email at [email protected]. This email address serves as the official point of contact for such matters.

This appeals and complaints procedure is designed to uphold the standards of scientific integrity, fairness, and transparency in the publication process. It reflects the journal's commitment to addressing concerns related to its published content in a rigorous and ethical manner.

Advertising Policy
Our website accepts advertisements about medical products (drugs, medical devices, etc.). The person, institution or organization that wants to advertise should contact the secretary given at the contact address of our website. Acceptance and/or rejection of advertisements is at the discretion of the journal owner. Ads are played randomly regardless of user profile. Published advertisements do not affect the content of the journal in any way.

Revenue Sources
The Van Medical Journal operates with financial support from the Van Yuzuncu Yil University Rectorate. The primary and exclusive source of financial resources for the journal is the university's administration. This funding model underscores the commitment of the university to the continued publication and operation of the journal as a non-profit, academic, and scientific platform.

The Van Yuzuncu Yil University Rectorate's financial support ensures that the journal can maintain its open-access policy and serve the scientific community by providing a platform for the publication of valuable research without relying on alternative revenue sources, such as author fees or subscriptions. This approach aligns with the university's dedication to advancing medical knowledge and research.

Editor in Chief: Prof. Dr. Ahmet Arisoy
Address: Bardakçı District, Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Zeve Campus, Faculty of Medicine, Dursun Odabaş Medical Center, Department of Chest Diseases, 65080, Tusba/Van/Turkey
E-Mail: [email protected]
Publisher: Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine
Address: Bardakçı District, Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Zeve Campus, Faculty of Medicine, Dursun Odabaş Medical Center, 65080, Tusba/Van/Turkey