Confidentiality Protocols

Maintaining strict confidentiality is central to the integrity, objectivity, and ethical rigor of Trends in Medical and Biological Sciences. These protocols define the responsibilities of editors, reviewers, and journal staff in safeguarding manuscript content, protecting author and reviewer identities, and ensuring secure handling of information throughout the editorial lifecycle.

1. Confidentiality of Manuscripts

For Editors

  • All submissions are treated as privileged, confidential documents.

  • Manuscripts (including data, images, and supplementary files) must not be disclosed, discussed, or used for personal research.

  • Editors must not share unpublished content with third parties under any circumstances.

For Reviewers

  • Manuscripts under review are considered confidential intellectual property.

  • Content may not be discussed with colleagues or others without written permission from the editorial office.

  • Digital or printed copies must be securely stored and permanently deleted after review completion.

For Journal Staff

  • Access is restricted to authorized editorial staff and editors.

  • Staff must protect confidential files using secure systems and are prohibited from disclosing content without editorial authorization.

2. Confidentiality of the Peer Review Process

Double-Blind Review

  • Trends in Medical and Biological Sciences follows a strict double-blind peer review policy.

  • Author identities are removed before reviewer assignment.

  • Reviewers remain anonymous to authors at all times.

  • Editors must ensure no identifying details are inadvertently shared.

Reviewer Identity Protection

  • Reviewer identities are confidential and never disclosed to authors, other reviewers, or external parties.

  • The editorial system and correspondence protocols safeguard reviewer anonymity.

3. Confidential Correspondence

With Authors

  • All editorial decisions, reviewer feedback, and revision requests are confidential.

  • Forwarding or sharing correspondence outside the editorial process is strictly prohibited.

With Reviewers

  • Communications, manuscript details, and editorial guidance must remain confidential.

  • Reviewer comments shared with authors are anonymized, ensuring no direct or indirect identification.

4. Data Protection and Secure Storage

  • Only registered, authorized users may access the editorial submission system.

  • Editors, reviewers, and staff must safeguard login credentials and avoid storing passwords on public or shared devices.

  • Manuscript files must be stored on secure, password-protected devices.

  • Cloud or shared storage use is prohibited unless encrypted and access-controlled.

5. Post-Decision Confidentiality

Rejected Manuscripts

  • Rejected manuscripts and reviews remain confidential.

  • They must not be cited, referenced, or used in future work.

  • Locally stored copies must be deleted according to the journal’s data retention policy.

Published Manuscripts

  • While published articles are public, all peer review records—including reviewer identities and editorial deliberations—remain permanently confidential.

6. Handling Breaches of Confidentiality

  • Any breach must be reported immediately to the editorial board.

  • Investigations will be conducted, affected individuals notified, and corrective measures enforced.

Consequences of Breach may include:

  • Removal from the reviewer/editorial pool

  • Revocation of system access

  • Notification to affiliated institutions

  • Reporting to oversight bodies such as COPE

7. Ongoing Commitment

Trends in Medical and Biological Sciences adheres to international best practices, including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and ICMJE guidelines. All participants in the editorial and peer review process are required to respect and uphold these confidentiality standards.