International Journal of Integrated Care

Editorial Policies

Peer Review Process

Overview

IJIC applies a double blind peer review. Referees remain anonymous for the author during the review procedure and the author’s name is removed from the manuscript under review. Only after publication, and only with the permission of the referee, the names of the reviewers are published in the article.

Each article is first assessed by two of the editors of the editorial board and, if it is judged suitable for IJIC, it is sent to two or three external referees for a double blind peer review. IJIC uses three different review forms (for example: Research and Theory, Integrated Care Cases, Policy papers) all of which apply scientific criteria and take account of the purpose of the article and its merits for integrated care. Based on the recommendations of the reviewers, the editors then decide whether the paper should be accepted as is, revised or rejected. In case of revisions, a final decision on publication will be made after resubmission. If there is no agreement on the part of the editors, the editor-in-chief will make the final decision.

IJIC Editors' screening criteria are:

· Is the paper well-structured?

· Is the paper well written and easy to follow?

· Are the references up to date?

· Is the English acceptable?

· Does it have any news value?

· Does the paper not exceed the maximum length (too much)?

· Do the definitions in the article link to definitions in the field of Integrated Care, health services research and methodology?

· Are facts and data separated from opinions?

· Does the paper fit the editorial aims and scope of the journal?

A very common reason for the editors and reviewers to reject well written papers is that they do not fit the aims and scope of the journal. Please read the section focus and scope of the IJIC under Editorial Policies section of this website and use our quick Author Checklist to find out if your paper is a good fit for our journal.

Section Policies

PhD Thesis summaries

Open Submissions
Indexed
Peer Reviewed

Perspective papers

Open Submissions
Indexed
Peer Reviewed

Integrated Care Cases

Open Submissions
Indexed
Peer Reviewed

Research & theory

Open Submissions
Indexed
Peer Reviewed

Policy papers

Open Submissions
Indexed
Peer Reviewed

Lost and Found

Open Submissions
Indexed
Peer Reviewed

Types of papers

Authors are invited to submit research papers including bibliographic references to the international literature and, where relevant, to experiences in other countries. We encourage researchers who finished their PhD theses to publish excerpts from their dissertation in our journal. We also invite experienced authors working on a national level to submit practice papers describing aspects of integrated care in their own countries and furthermore we welcome papers on integrated health policy.

IJIC welcomes the submission of papers under the following key headings:

Research and Theory (RT) papers include: original research; systematic reviews; new theoretical perspectives; and innovative research protocols (study designs).To improve the chance of acceptance of your manuscript, we recommend reading the specific Guideline for Research and Theory papers
Policy (P) papers include: description and analysis of national and international policy developments on integrated care and their impact.To improve the chance of acceptance of your manuscript, we recommend reading the specific Guideline for Policy papers
Integrated Care cases (ICC) are case studies of innovative local approaches to the delivery of integrated care in practice. To improve the chance of acceptance of your manuscript, we recommend reading the specific Guideline for Integrated Care Cases
Lost and Found (LF) papers are retrospective assessments of the impact, legacy and lessons of significant historical innovations or research into integrated care. To improve the chance of acceptance of your manuscript, we recommend reading the specific Guideline for Lost and Found papers
Perspective papers (PP) are short papers from leading managers and professionals working at the 'coalface' of integrated care. To improve the chance of acceptance of your manuscript, we recommend reading the specific Guideline for Perspective papers
Book reviews (BK) provide an outline of the main topics and a brief discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the books, and their relevance for integrated care. Book Reviews are included in the journal on a range of relevant topics.To improve the chance of acceptance of your manuscript, we recommend reading the specific Guideline for Books Reviews
Thesis summaries (TS) include the summation of the aims, theory, method, results and conclusions of PhD theses in integrated care. To improve the chance of acceptance of your manuscript, we recommend reading the specific Guideline for Thesis Summaries
Letter to the editor (E) is a section for reactions to articles or editorials published in the IJIC. Contact the IJIC Managing Editor if you wish to submit a Letter to the editor.

The content of the articles should be within the editorial Focus and Scope of International Journal of Integrated Care.

The content of the papers should be appealing to readers who are in any way involved in the study, the development or the execution of integrated care.

Conference Supplements and Special Editions

IJIC publishes a regular series of conference supplements and special themed editions. A nominal fee is charged where these are developed in partnership with an external organization: €5000 for IFIC members and €7500 for non-members.

Contact the Managing Editor to request more information about how to apply for and publish your own conference supplement or Special Edition.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The International Journal of Integrated Care adheres to the publication ethics for editors, authors and reviewers as defined by COPE – Committee on Publication Ethics, in their Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors