The Lebanese Medical Journal (LMJ) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific quality, integrity, and ethical publishing through a rigorous and transparent peer review process. All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo double-blind peer review, ensuring that the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the evaluation process. This approach helps maintain impartiality and minimizes potential bias.

Initial Editorial Assessment

Upon submission, each manuscript is reviewed by the Editorial Office to ensure that it:

• Falls within the scope of the journal.
• Complies with the journal’s submission guidelines.
• Meets basic standards of scientific quality and academic writing.
• Adheres to ethical and publication standards.

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the authors for correction or rejected without external review.

Peer Review Process

Manuscripts that successfully pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers who possess expertise in the relevant subject area. Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, research experience, and subject knowledge.

Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript based on several criteria, including:

• Originality and novelty of the research.
• Scientific and methodological rigor.
• Accuracy and validity of data analysis.
• Relevance and significance of the findings.
• Clarity of presentation and organization.
• Adequacy of references and supporting literature.
• Compliance with ethical standards and research integrity.

Reviewers provide detailed comments and recommendations to assist both the editors and authors in improving the quality of the manuscript.

Editorial Decisions

Based on the reviewers’ reports, the Editor may make one of the following decisions:

• Accept – The manuscript is suitable for publication without further changes.
• Minor Revisions – Small modifications are required before acceptance.
• Major Revisions – Significant revisions are necessary, and the revised manuscript may undergo an additional round of review.
• Reject – The manuscript does not meet the scientific, ethical, or editorial standards required for publication.

The final decision regarding publication rests solely with the Editor-in-Chief.

Revision and Resubmission

When revisions are requested, authors should address all reviewer comments carefully and provide a detailed response explaining how each comment has been addressed. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation when necessary.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts, reviewer reports, and correspondence related to the peer review process are treated as confidential. Reviewers must not share, distribute, or use any unpublished information contained within submitted manuscripts for personal or professional advantage.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to provide an objective assessment. Individuals with significant conflicts of interest will not participate in the review or decision-making process for the affected manuscript.

Ethical Considerations

The journal expects reviewers and editors to report any concerns regarding:

• Plagiarism or duplicate publication.
• Data fabrication or falsification.
• Unethical research practices.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
• Violations of publication ethics.
• LMJ follows internationally recognized publication ethics standards and may take appropriate action when misconduct is suspected.

Review Timeline

The journal strives to provide authors with a timely and efficient review process. While review times may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity, every effort is made to complete the evaluation process as promptly as possible while maintaining high standards of quality and fairness.

Commitment to Quality

Through its double-blind peer review system, LMJ aims to ensure that all published articles contribute meaningfully to the advancement of medical knowledge and clinical practice. The journal remains committed to a fair, unbiased, transparent, and constructive review process that supports scientific excellence and research integrity.