Journal of Trauma and Injury (JTI) has an online submission and peer review system at https://submit.jtraumainj.org/.

All papers, including those invited by the editor, are subject to peer review. A manuscript is first reviewed for its format and adherence to the aims and scope of the journal. If the manuscript does not fit the aims and scope of JTI or does not adhere to the Instructions for Authors, it may be returned to the author immediately without review. Before the peer review process, all submitted manuscripts undergo plagiarism screening, inspected by Similarity Check, a plagiarism-screening tool powered by iThenticate (https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/).

JTI adopts a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of both the authors and reviewers are kept anonymous throughout the review process. However, the editor managing the review process will have visibility of the authors and reviewers’ identities. All manuscripts undergo peer review by at least two reviewers with relevant expertise. The Editorial Board selects reviewers based on expertise, publication history, and past reviews. During the peer review process, reviewers can interact directly or exchange information (e.g., via submission system or email) with only the editor, which is known as “independent review.” If necessary, statistical editing will also be performed by a professional statistician.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to make revisions and edits to the style and structures of the manuscripts within the context, if needed, to ensure adherence to the publication policies and standards of the journal. Once the final decision on publication (accept, revision, or reject) is made, it is directly notified to the corresponding author. Upon final approval and completion of necessary revisions, the expected publication date will be provided. Rejected manuscripts will not be reconsidered.

The editor is responsible for the final decision on whether to accept or reject a manuscript after the peer review. An initial decision is typically within 2 months of receiving a manuscript. All articles in JTI include the dates of submission, revision, acceptance, and publication on their article page, but information on the review process and editorial decision is not published on the article page.

All manuscripts from editors, employees, or members of the Editorial Board are subject to the same review process as other submissions. During the review process, they will not engage in the selection of reviewers nor the decision-making process. Editors will not handle their own manuscripts even if they have been commissioned.

Final decisions regarding manuscript publication are made by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated editor who does not have any relevant conflicts of interest. In the event that an editor has a conflict of interest with a submitted manuscript or with the authors, the manuscript will be handled by one of the other editors who does not have a conflict of interest with the review and who is not at the same institution as the submitting editor. In such circumstances, full masking of the process will be ensured so that the anonymity of the peer reviewers is maintained.

The review and publication process is illustrated in the following flowchart: