Reviewer Guidelines

The following is the editorial workflow that every manuscript submitted to the journal undergoes during the course of the peer review process. The entire editorial workflow is performed via OJS, the manuscript submission system for our journals. Once a manuscript is submitted for publication, the manuscript is checked by the journal’s editorial office to ensure the files are complete and that the relevant metadata are in order. The manuscript is then sent to an Editor in chief who assesses the suitability of the manuscript in terms of scope and quality and, if appropriate, assigns it to an Deputy Editor.

The Deputy Editor or Editor in chief then performs an additional, more detailed, analysis before inviting a number of potential reviewers to provide a peer review report – the Academic Editor can reject a manuscript prior to review if they deem it unsuitable for the journal. Based on reports submitted by the reviewers, the Deputy Editor makes one of the following recommendations:

• Reject
• Major Revision
• Minor Revision
• Publish

If the Deputy Editor recommends “Reject”, the authors are sent any review reports that have been received and are notified that their manuscript will no longer be considered for publication in the journal.

If the Deputy Editor recommends “Major Revision”, the authors are notified of the editor's request that they prepare and submit an updated version of their manuscript with the necessary changes suggested by the reviewers and editor. This might require new data to be collected or substantial revision of the text. The manuscript is then reassessed by one or more of the original reviewers before the Deputy Editor makes a new recommendation.

If the Deputy Editor recommends “Minor Revision”, the authors are notified of the editor's request that they prepare and submit a revised copy of their manuscript with the required minor changes suggested by the reviewers. Once satisfied with the final manuscript, optionally having sought further advice from one or more of the reviewers, the Deputy Editor can recommend “Publish”.

If the Editor recommends “Publish”, the manuscript will undergo a final check by the editorial office in order to ensure that the manuscript and its review process adhere to the journal’s guidelines and policies. The authors will then be notified of the manuscript’s acceptance.

Deputy Editors will be called upon to handle appeals and other editorial issues as and when required

NOTE: To get recognition for the review contribution in Web of Science, a reviewer may forward "Article Review Acknowledgement" E-mail to [email protected].