Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Welcome to the International Journal of Anatomy and Research (IJAR) help center. Whether you are a researcher preparing to submit a manuscript, a reviewer, or a reader seeking access to open-access anatomical research, we have compiled answers to our most common queries below.If you cannot find the answer to your question, please feel free to reach out directly to our editorial team at editor_anatomy@ijmhr.org.
What is the scope of the International Journal of Anatomy and Research (IJAR)?
IJAR is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to publishing high-quality scientific research across all subfields of anatomical science. Our scope encompasses: Gross Anatomy & Surgical Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, & Developmental Biology, Neuroanatomy & Radiological Anatomy, Comparative Anatomy & Physical Anthropology, Anatomical Education & Clinical Innovations.
What is the publication frequency and format of IJAR?
IJAR is published quarterly (4 issues per year). We operate on a hybrid publication model offering both Online (E-ISSN: 2321-4287) and Print (P-ISSN: 2321-8967) editions. Accepted articles are frequently made available in "Online First / Immediate Release" mode prior to the compiled issue release.
What types of manuscripts does IJAR accept?
We accept a broad range of scientific contributions, including:
Original Research Articles: Comprehensive studies with novel anatomical insights.
Review Articles: Systematic or narrative reviews on key topics in anatomy.
Case Reports & Series: Unique clinical anatomy findings or rare anatomical variations.
Rare Images in Dissection Hall: Brief reports focused on exceptional anatomical anomalies discovered during dissection.
Short Communications & Letters to the Editor.
Medical / Anatomical Education Articles. etc..
How does the peer-review process work, and how long does it take?
IJAR follows a rigorous double-blind peer-review process to ensure impartial evaluation: Initial Editorial Check (1–3 days): Screening for scope, formatting, and plagiarism. Peer Review (2–4* weeks): Sent to at least two independent expert reviewers in the specific domain of anatomy. Editorial Decision: Accept, Revisions (Minor/Major), or Reject.Publication: Once accepted and proofed, articles are processed for rapid online publication.
*Peer review - process may be more due to the high volume of manuscripts and reviewers' requests to extend the timeline.
What is IJAR’s Open Access Policy?
As an Open Access journal, all published articles are immediately and permanently available online for readers worldwide without subscription paywalls or registration fees. This guarantees maximum visibility, higher citation potential, and unrestricted global dissemination of anatomical research.
Are there any Article Processing Charges (APCs)?
Because IJAR operates as an open-access journal without charging reader subscription fees, an Article Processing Charge (APC) of 250 USD or the equivalent in local currency is levied upon successful acceptance of a manuscript. APCs cover publication costs, online hosting, formatting, plagiarism checking, and DOI assignment. There are no submission fees—charges apply only after formal editorial acceptance. (Fee waivers/discounts may be considered for authors from low-income countries upon request prior to submission only).
*Standard Publication fee only; additional tables and images are chargeable in addition to the standard publication APC as per the typesetting charges.
Who holds the copyright to published articles?
Under our open-access licensing framework (typically Creative Commons Attribution Licenses BY-NC-SA, authors retain the copyright to their original work. Authors grant the journal a license to publish, distribute, and display the article as the original publisher.
What is the journal's policy on ethics, consent, and plagiarism?
We uphold the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing:Plagiarism: All manuscripts are screened using similarity check software. High similarity indices or instances of uncredited text result in immediate rejection.Ethical Approvals: Studies involving human tissue, cadavers, or living subjects must include explicit confirmation of Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC/IRB) approval and informed consent where applicable.Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose all potential financial or institutional conflicts of interest upon submission.
Where is IJAR indexed and archived?
IJAR is indexed across multiple international scientific repositories and indexing databases (including SCOPUS, Embase, SJR, ResearchGate, and many other Open Access Anatomy literature aggregators) to ensure long-term visibility, discoverability, and digital preservation of all published manuscripts in the Portico (a digital preservation organisation by JSTOR).
How do I submit my manuscript to IJAR?
Submissions are accepted through our online submission portal on the journal website or directly via email to the editorial office (editor_anatomy@ijmhr.org). Manuscripts must be formatted according to our Author Guidelines (including title page, abstract, structured main text, high-resolution figures, and reference formatting).
Can I submit anatomical variations or rare dissection hall findings as a standalone paper?
Yes. IJAR actively encourages the submission of rare anatomical variations, congenital anomalies, and unexpected findings discovered during cadaveric dissections or clinical imaging. These can be submitted under our "Case Reports" or "Images in Dissection Hall" categories, provided they include clear, high-resolution photographs and explain the clinical or surgical significance of the variation.
What are the image and figure quality requirements for submission?
Because anatomical research relies heavily on visual clarity, all microscopic, gross anatomy, and radiological figures must be submitted in high resolution (minimum 300 DPI in TIFF or JPEG format). Micrographs must include clear scale bars, and all figure labels, arrows, and callouts must be legible and clearly defined in the figure legends.
What is IJAR’s policy on preprints and prior publication?
IJAR considers manuscripts that have been deposited on recognized preprint servers (such as bioRxiv or medRxiv) prior to submission. However, authors must disclose the preprint DOI upon submission. Manuscripts that have been published in full or in part in another peer-reviewed journal or conference proceeding will not be considered.
How does IJAR handle manuscript revisions, and what is the deadline?
If your manuscript receives a decision of "Minor Revision" or "Major Revision," authors are typically given 2 to 4 weeks to submit the revised manuscript along with a point-by-point response to reviewer comments. Requests for deadline extensions can be granted by contacting the managing editor.
Does IJAR provide digital object identifiers (DOIs) for published articles?
Yes, every article published in IJAR is assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI). This ensures permanent, persistent linking, cross-referencing, and easy citation tracking across international scientific databases.
What is the process for withdrawing a manuscript after submission?
Authors may request manuscript withdrawal by submitting a formal written request signed by all co-authors stating the reason for withdrawal. Requests made during the active peer-review stage are reviewed case-by-case to ensure ethical publishing practices are maintained.
Can I order physical hard copies or reprints of my published article/issue?
Yes. While IJAR is an open-access digital journal, authors and institutions can order physical print copies or author reprints of specific issues for a nominal printing and shipping fee. Requests can be placed directly with the editorial office upon article acceptance.
Does IJAR offer Fast-Track processing for time-sensitive research?
Yes, an expedited or Fast-Track peer-review option is available for high-impact findings upon author request and editor approval. Fast-track processing accelerates the review timeline without compromising the strictness or quality of the double-blind peer-review evaluation.