Editorial Policy - Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Diseases (JCCD)

1. Scope & Aims

The Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Diseases (JCCD) publishes cutting-edge research, clinical studies, and reviews in cardiology and cardiovascular sciences. Our aim is to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases while promoting innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary research. We are committed to evolving with the scientific community, ensuring the highest standards in cardiovascular publishing.

We welcome submissions on:

• Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
• Interventional & Non-Interventional Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Imaging & Diagnostics
• Cardiometabolic Diseases
• Electrophysiology & Arrhythmias
• Heart Failure & Transplantation
• Hypertension & Vascular Biology
• Preventive Cardiology & Lifestyle Medicine
• Artificial Intelligence & Digital Health in Cardiology

2. Editorial Integrity & Ethical Standards

JCCD strictly adheres to international ethical guidelines (e.g., COPE, ICMJE, WAME) to ensure transparency and integrity in scholarly publishing. The following principles guide our editorial decisions:

a. Rigorous Peer Review

• Double-blind peer review: Both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to ensure unbiased evaluations.
• Minimum two expert reviewers assess each submission.
• Decisions are based on originality, scientific validity, clinical relevance, and methodological soundness.
• Editorial board members oversee complex cases or ethical concerns.

b. Authorship & Contribution Criteria

• Authors must meet the ICMJE authorship criteria, contributing substantially to the study's conception, execution, analysis, or manuscript writing.
• Corresponding author responsibility: Ensures all co-authors approve the final version and take accountability.
• Changes in authorship must be justified and approved by the editorial office.

c. Plagiarism & Data Integrity

• Zero tolerance for plagiarism (checked via iThenticate/Turnitin).
• Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data leads to immediate rejection and blacklisting.
• Clinical trials must be registered in databases like ClinicalTrials.gov.

d. Conflict of Interest Disclosure

• Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any potential financial, professional, or personal conflicts.
• Funding sources should be transparently stated.

e. Ethical Approval for Studies

• Human/Animal studies must have IRB or ethical committee approval.
• Informed consent must be obtained for patient-related research.

3. Manuscript Categories

JCCD accepts the following article types:

• Original Research Articles (Clinical and Basic Science Studies)
• Review Articles (Systematic, Narrative, and Meta-Analyses)
• Case Reports & Case Series
• Editorials & Expert Opinions
• Technical Notes & Innovations
• Letters to the Editor

4. Submission & Editorial Workflow

1. Preliminary Screening: Initial quality check for plagiarism, formatting, and ethical compliance.
2. Peer Review Process: Assignment to field experts for in-depth evaluation.
3. Decision Making:
   • Accept (as is or with minor revisions)
   • Major Revision (re-review required)
   • Reject (with justification)
4. Final Approval & Proofing: Post-acceptance editing for clarity, formatting, and compliance.

5. Open Access & Copyright Policy

• Open Access Model: Published articles are freely accessible worldwide.
• Authors retain copyright under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC) unless stated otherwise.
• Archiving Policy: All articles are preserved in repositories to ensure long-term accessibility.

6. Retraction & Post-Publication Policies

• Corrections & Errata: Published promptly if minor errors are identified.
• Retractions: Issued in cases of proven misconduct, plagiarism, or data manipulation.
• Post-Publication Discussion: Authors and readers may submit formal letters or comments for scholarly debate.

7. Editorial Independence & Governance

• The Editor-in-Chief has full editorial independence, ensuring that decisions are based solely on scientific merit.
• No external influence (commercial or institutional) affects editorial decisions.
• Advisory board members provide strategic guidance for journal development.

8. Innovations & Future Directions

JCCD embraces emerging trends in cardiovascular research, including:

• AI & Machine Learning in Cardiology
• Personalized & Precision Medicine
• Cardiovascular Big Data & Genomics
• Translational Research & Advanced Therapeutics