1. Purpose and Scope
This page sets out the editorial principles and research integrity rules that apply to everyone involved in the publication process of Populace Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ("the Journal"). The Journal is published by Populace Publishing Ltd, an independent scholarly publisher registered in England and Wales (Company No. 17483684), dedicated to the publication of learned journals, research and education in public health. Registered Office: First Floor Office, 3 Hornton Place, London, W8 4LZ, United Kingdom ("the Publisher"). These rules apply to authors, reviewers, editorial board members and editorial staff, regardless of nationality, institution or the income level of their country.
The Journal follows the Core Practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and applies its guidelines and flowcharts, the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing (COPE, DOAJ, OASPA, WAME), and the ICMJE Recommendations.
2. Editorial Mission
The Journal is an international open-access journal covering public health and epidemiology. Its mission is to close the gap in high-quality scientific journals accessible to researchers in low- and middle-income countries, while maintaining scientific and ethical standards equivalent to those of leading international journals. The Journal welcomes submissions from around the world without geographic restriction, with particular attention to the visibility of research conducted in low-resource and underserved health systems.
3. Article Types
The Journal publishes original research articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, case reports, short communications, study protocols, and outbreak and public health emergency reports, in English or French.
4. Editorial Governance
- Editor-in-Chief: final responsibility for editorial decisions and guarantor of editorial independence from the Publisher and from any commercial interest.
- Founding Executive Editor and Chair of the International Advisory Board: provides strategic leadership for the Journal's international development, chairs the International Advisory Board, and supports the Editor-in-Chief in upholding the Journal's scientific standards and global reach. Does not take part in decisions on individual manuscripts unless designated as handling editor, in which case the conflict of interest rules of section 9 apply.
- Deputy Editors-in-Chief: support the Editor-in-Chief and handle decisions in their absence or in case of conflict of interest.
- Associate Editors: handle manuscripts within their field of expertise and make recommendations to the Editor-in-Chief.
- Statistical Editors and Statistical Reviewers: assess the methods and statistical analyses of manuscripts when required.
- International Advisory Board: provides strategic advice and is representative of the regions covered by the Journal.
- Editorial Office Manager: administrative management of the editorial workflow, including the technical check of submissions; has no role in editorial decisions.
The current composition of the editorial team is available on the Editorial Board page.
5. Manuscript Handling and Peer Review
Each manuscript goes through three distinct stages. Only the third stage is peer review.
Stage 1. Technical check (Editorial Office). The Editorial Office verifies that the submission is complete and compliant, using a technical verification checklist. This is an administrative check, not a scientific assessment. It covers:
- presence of all required files: title page, anonymised manuscript, cover letter, completed reporting checklist and, where applicable, ethics approval document;
- anonymisation of the manuscript, including the file properties, to allow double-anonymous peer review;
- compliance with the format, structure and word limits set out in the Author Guidelines;
- presence of the mandatory declarations on the title page;
- for articles in French, presence of the English title, abstract and keywords;
- similarity check.
Incomplete or non-compliant submissions are returned to the authors for correction before any further assessment. Returning a submission for technical reasons is not a rejection.
Stage 2. Editorial screening (editors). An editor assesses whether the manuscript fits the Journal's aims and scope and meets minimum standards of scientific quality. The editor may decline a manuscript at this stage without external review (desk rejection), with a brief explanation to the authors.
The outcome of the technical check and editorial screening is usually communicated within 10 days of submission.
Stage 3. Peer review (independent experts). Manuscripts that pass the first two stages undergo double-anonymous peer review by at least two independent reviewers, and a statistical review where required. Manuscripts are assessed on originality, methodological rigour, relevance to public health and clarity of writing. A first decision after peer review is usually communicated within 6 to 8 weeks of submission. These timelines are never pursued at the expense of the quality and rigour of the evaluation.
The content of manuscripts remains strictly confidential at every stage. See our Peer Review Policy.
6. Research Ethics and Informed Consent
Research involving human participants, their data or biological material must have been approved by an appropriate research ethics committee, and must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki. Authors must state the name of the committee and the approval reference number. Informed consent must be obtained from participants, or its waiver justified by the ethics committee. Case reports and images of identifiable individuals require written consent for publication from the patient or their legal representative. Research involving animals must follow recognised national and international guidelines.
7. Authorship and Contributions
Authorship must follow the ICMJE criteria. All authors must have contributed substantially to the work, approved the final version and agreed to be accountable for it. Contributions are described using the CRediT taxonomy. Changes to the author list after submission require the written agreement of all authors and are handled following COPE guidance.
8. Data, Reporting and Preprints
Authors must include a data availability statement and are encouraged to share their data in a public repository where ethically possible. Studies must follow the relevant EQUATOR Network reporting guideline (for example STROBE, CONSORT, PRISMA, CARE, SPIRIT). Posting a preprint on a recognised preprint server before or during submission is permitted, provided it is disclosed at submission.
9. Conflicts of Interest
Authors, reviewers and editors must disclose any financial, institutional or personal conflict of interest that could influence their judgment. Reviewers and editors must decline any manuscript for which they have a conflict of interest. Failure to disclose a conflict, if discovered later, may result in a correction or retraction. See our Conflicts of Interest policy.
10. Submissions from Editors and Editorial Board Members
Manuscripts submitted by the Editor-in-Chief, editors or editorial board members follow the same peer review process as all other submissions. They are handled by an independent editor, and the author has no access to the review process or to the identity of the reviewers. Such articles are clearly identified at publication.
11. Research Integrity and Plagiarism
Every submitted manuscript undergoes a similarity check. Results are assessed by the editors, who take into account the nature and extent of any overlap. Plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, image manipulation and redundant or duplicate publication lead to rejection or retraction, and may be reported to the authors' institutions, following COPE guidance.
12. Handling Allegations of Misconduct
Allegations of research or publication misconduct are investigated following COPE flowcharts. The parties concerned are given the opportunity to respond, confidentiality is respected throughout the process, and the Editor-in-Chief issues a reasoned decision.
13. Corrections, Expressions of Concern and Retractions
In line with the COPE Retraction Guidelines, a significant honest error leads to a published correction; an unresolved but documented concern leads to a published expression of concern; and proven misconduct or a serious breach of research integrity leads to a formal retraction. Retraction notices are published, permanently linked to the original article, which remains accessible with its status clearly indicated. See our Corrections and Retractions policy.
14. Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Authors: generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Their use in writing, translation or analysis must be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the content.
Reviewers and editors: manuscripts are confidential and must not be uploaded to generative AI tools. Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content of their reports.
See our AI Policy.
15. Equitable Access and Fee Waivers
Access to publication should not depend on an author's ability to pay. Populace applies an automatic, country-based fee reduction and waiver policy based on the World Bank Group's country income classification, with a full waiver for corresponding authors affiliated with institutions in low-income countries that also appear on the World Bank Group's List of Fragile and Conflict-affected Situations (FCV). Classifications are applied in line with the World Bank Group's annual update. The full fee schedule is published on the Article Processing Charges page. Eligibility for a reduced fee or waiver has no influence on editorial decisions, which are based solely on scientific merit.
16. Long-Term Digital Preservation
The Journal's content will be preserved through the PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN), ensuring continued access to published articles even if the Journal ceases publication.
17. Complaints and Appeals
Complaints about a manuscript, an editorial decision or a breach of publication ethics may be sent to editorial@populacejournal.org. They are acknowledged within 5 business days and receive a reasoned response within 30 days. Authors may appeal a rejection decision; appeals are reviewed by an editor who was not involved in the original decision. See our Appeals and Complaints policy.
18. Review of This Policy
This policy is reviewed at least once a year by the Editor-in-Chief and the Publisher, and whenever COPE guidelines are significantly updated.
Contact
Research integrity matters: Editor-in-Chief, ethics@populacejournal.org