1. Initial Editorial Screening
All manuscripts submitted to the Public Health and Safety International Journal (PHASIJ) undergo an initial screening by the editorial team. This screening evaluates the manuscript's relevance to the journal's focus and scope, originality, completeness, writing quality, and compliance with the journal's submission guidelines.
Manuscripts that do not meet the journal's requirements or fall outside its scope may be rejected without external peer review.

2. Peer Review Method
PHASIJ applies a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed from each other during the review process.
Authors must ensure that their manuscripts and supplementary files do not contain information that directly identifies them, except where identification is necessary for ethical or scientific reasons. Author information should be submitted separately through the journal's submission system.
The editorial team is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of manuscript files and reviewer identities throughout the process.

3. Reviewer Assignment
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to qualified reviewers with expertise relevant to the subject of the manuscript.
Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, research experience, subject expertise, and ability to provide an independent assessment.
Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and decline assignments when their impartiality may be compromised.

4. Review Criteria
Reviewers assess manuscripts according to the following criteria:
1. Relevance to the journal's focus and scope.
2. Originality and contribution to scientific knowledge.
3. Clarity of the research objectives and research questions.
4. Appropriateness of the research design and methodology.
5. Validity of the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of results.
6. Quality and relevance of the literature review and references.
7. Compliance with research ethics and publication ethics.
8. Clarity of writing, organization, and scientific presentation.
Reviewers provide constructive comments to help authors improve the quality of their manuscripts.

5. Editorial Decisions
Based on the reviewers' reports and the editor's assessment, the manuscript may receive one of the following decisions:
• Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication without further substantive revision.
• Minor Revision: The manuscript requires limited revisions before a final decision.
• Major Revision: Substantial revisions are required before the manuscript can be reconsidered.
• Reject: The manuscript does not meet the journal's scientific, ethical, or editorial requirements.
The editor-in-chief or an authorized editor makes the final publication decision. Reviewer recommendations inform, but do not replace, the editor's independent judgment.

6. Revision and Resubmission
Authors receiving a revision decision must submit a revised manuscript within the period specified by the editorial office.
Authors should provide a point-by-point response explaining how each reviewer comment has been addressed. When a suggestion is not adopted, authors should provide a clear scientific justification.
Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers or assessed by the editor, depending on the nature and extent of the revisions.

7. Review Timeline
PHASIJ aims to conduct peer review in a timely and efficient manner. The duration of the review process depends on reviewer availability, manuscript complexity, and the time required for revision.
The editorial office will communicate relevant decisions and deadlines to authors through the journal's electronic submission system.

8. Confidentiality and Research Integrity
Editors and reviewers must treat submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Manuscripts and unpublished information must not be disclosed, distributed, or used for personal or professional advantage.
Suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, duplicate publication, authorship disputes, or other ethical concerns will be handled in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policy.

9. Appeals
Authors may appeal an editorial decision by submitting a reasoned explanation to the editorial office. Appeals will be assessed by the editor or an appropriate independent editor, where feasible.
An appeal does not guarantee acceptance or a change in the original decision.

10. Final Publication
Manuscripts accepted for publication undergo copyediting, typesetting, and final production checks as applicable.
The publication decision does not remove the authors' responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and ethical compliance of their work.
PHASIJ is committed to maintaining a fair, confidential, transparent, and scientifically rigorous peer review process.