Single-Blind Peer Review

Process: All nutrition research manuscripts undergo rigorous single-blind peer review by at least two independent experts in the relevant field. A double-blind review option is available when authors request additional anonymity.

• Author identities are visible to reviewers; reviewers remain anonymous to authors
• Double-blind review can be arranged upon request during submission
• Average review time: 4–6 weeks
• Constructive feedback provided to authors
• Editorial decision based on scientific merit

Authorship Criteria

All listed authors must meet ICMJE authorship criteria:

1. Substantial contributions to conception, design, data acquisition, or analysis
2. Drafting or critical revision of intellectual content
3. Final approval of the version to be published
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work

Contributors who don't meet all criteria should be acknowledged, not listed as authors.

Plagiarism & Originality

All manuscripts are screened using iThenticate plagiarism detection software.

• Acceptable similarity: <30% (excluding references/methods)
• >30% similarity: Manuscript returned for revision
• Self-plagiarism: Authors must substantially rewrite previously published content
• Text recycling: Methods sections may reuse prior descriptions with citation

Conflicts of Interest

All authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose potential conflicts:

• Financial relationships with food/supplement companies
• Industry consultancies or advisory board positions
• Research funding from commercial entities
• Patents or intellectual property related to the research
• Personal relationships that could influence objectivity

Disclosure does not disqualify: Conflicts are managed transparently, not automatically prohibitive.

Human Subjects Research

Nutrition studies involving human participants must:

• Obtain IRB/Ethics Committee approval before study initiation
• Include approval number and committee name in manuscript
• Document informed consent procedures
• Comply with Declaration of Helsinki principles
• Register clinical trials prospectively (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP)
• Protect participant privacy and data confidentiality

Animal Research

Animal nutrition studies must:

• Obtain IACUC approval
• Follow ARRIVE guidelines for reporting
• Justify animal use and minimize suffering
• Describe housing, husbandry, and humane endpoints

Data Availability

IJN strongly encourages (and for some article types, requires) public data sharing:

• Raw nutrition data should be deposited in public repositories
• Data availability statements must describe access procedures
• Code and analysis scripts should be shared when feasible
• Exemptions granted only for privacy/ethical concerns

Materials & Methods Transparency

Manuscripts must provide sufficient detail to enable replication:

• Dietary assessment methods fully described
• Food composition databases specified
• Statistical analyses comprehensively reported
• Biomarker assay protocols detailed

Corrections & Updates

Minor errors: Corrected via published Correction notice linked to original article

Significant errors: May warrant Expression of Concern or Retraction

All corrections are publicly documented and permanently linked to original articles.

Retractions

Articles may be retracted if:

• Research misconduct is confirmed (fabrication, falsification, plagiarism)
• Ethical violations are discovered
• Findings are unreliable and cannot be reproduced
• Copyright infringement or duplicate publication is identified

Retraction notices state reasons and are permanently published with the original article.

Manuscript Confidentiality

All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents:

• Shared only with editors, reviewers, and editorial staff
• Reviewers must not share or use manuscript content
• Pre-publication findings must not be disclosed
• Reviewers with conflicts must decline review invitations

Editorial Decisions

Authors may appeal rejections by:

1. Submitting detailed rebuttal addressing reviewer concerns
2. Providing additional data or analyses
3. Requesting re-review by independent reviewers

Appeals should be sent to [email protected] within 30 days of decision.

Complaints & Misconduct

Suspected misconduct should be reported to [email protected]

IJN follows COPE flowcharts for investigating allegations. All reports are handled confidentially.