Peer Review Procedure
The peer review process is a cornerstone of high-quality academic publishing. At Journals Online, we have implemented a structured, fair, and timely review process to ensure that all submitted manuscripts meet the standards of scholarly excellence, originality, and integrity.
Review Model
We follow the double-blind peer review model, which means that both the reviewers and the authors remain anonymous to each other. This approach helps eliminate potential biases and ensures a more objective and impartial review process.
Detailed Peer Review Workflow
- Submission Verification: Upon manuscript submission, the editorial office checks for compliance with journal guidelines, formatting, plagiarism screening, and whether the content fits the journal’s scope.
- Editorial Screening: An assigned Editor-in-Chief or Section Editor conducts an initial assessment to determine if the manuscript is suitable for peer review. Manuscripts not meeting minimum standards are desk-rejected at this stage.
- Reviewer Assignment: If deemed suitable, the manuscript is sent to two or more independent experts in the field who are invited to review the paper based on their credentials and lack of conflicts of interest.
- Peer Review Evaluation: Reviewers critically assess the manuscript’s scientific rigor, methodology, novelty, accuracy of results, interpretation of data, and overall clarity. Constructive feedback is encouraged.
- Review Report Submission: Reviewers provide a detailed report, including a recommendation: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject. Specific comments for both the editor and authors are included.
- Editorial Decision: Based on reviewer input, the handling editor makes a decision and communicates it to the authors along with the reviewer comments.
- Author Revisions: Authors revise their manuscript according to reviewer feedback and submit a detailed response letter outlining how each comment was addressed. In case of major revision, the revised manuscript may be re-reviewed.
- Final Evaluation and Acceptance: The editor performs a final assessment, and if all concerns have been addressed, the manuscript is accepted and forwarded to the production team.
- Publication: The accepted article is professionally typeset, proofread, assigned a DOI, and published online with open access.
Reviewer Selection Guidelines
- Advanced academic qualifications (typically a PhD or equivalent experience)
- Proven track record of publications and subject-specific expertise
- No direct conflicts of interest with the authors or institutions
- Commitment to confidentiality and ethical reviewing practices
Expected Review Timeframes
We strive to complete the first round of peer review within 21 to 30 days from the date of submission. Delays, if any, are communicated proactively to authors. Expedited reviews may be arranged for time-sensitive manuscripts upon request.
Ethical Standards & Responsibilities
Reviewers and editors are bound by the highest ethical standards, including confidentiality, impartiality, and academic integrity. Plagiarism, falsification, or ethical misconduct during peer review or by the authors will result in immediate action, which may include rejection, notification to affiliated institutions, or permanent blacklisting.
Become a Reviewer
If you are interested in joining our network of peer reviewers, please contact us with your CV and areas of expertise at editors@journalsonline.org. We welcome professionals who are passionate about maintaining quality in scholarly publishing.