Peer review process
The image illustrates the peer review process for a journal article submission in a structured, step-by-step workflow. Here's a detailed explanation based on the chart:
🔹 1. New Submission
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An author submits a manuscript via the journal system.
🔹 2. Initial Check by Managing Editor
The Managing Editor evaluates the submission for technical and formatting requirements:
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✔️ Graphical abstract
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✔️ Institutional email
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✔️ 4–7 keywords
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✔️ Acknowledgment of funding agency
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✔️ 3–5 suggested reviewers
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✔️ Plagiarism screening
🔴 If the manuscript fails any of these checks →
📌 Rejected, or returned to the author to withdraw or resubmit.
🟢 If all criteria are met → Forwarded to the Editor-in-Chief.
🔹 3. Editorial Screening by Editor-in-Chief
The Editor-in-Chief (EiC) performs a content evaluation:
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✔️ Relevance and suitability (scope and objectives)
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✔️ Originality
🔴 If not suitable → Rejected
🟢 If suitable → Sent to reviewers.
🕒 This stage is expected to be completed within 1 week.
🔹 4. Peer Review Assignment
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Sent to at least 2 reviewers (Reviewer 1 & 2, and optionally Reviewer 3)
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Reviewers assess:
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✔️ Methods & statistics
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✔️ Consistency of results
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✔️ Quality of figures
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✔️ Clarity of introduction
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✔️ Strength of discussion
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✔️ Accuracy of references
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✍️ Reviewers provide feedback and recommend:
✅ Accept | ❌ Reject | 🔁 Minor Revision | 🛠️ Major Revision
🔹 5. Editorial Decision
The Editor-in-Chief reviews feedback and makes a final decision:
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Accept → Proceed to copyediting
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Minor/Major Revision → Author is informed to revise
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Reject → Manuscript is declined
🕒 This peer review cycle usually takes about 4 weeks.
🔹 6. Copy Editing & Publication
Once accepted:
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Manuscript undergoes copyediting
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Then it is published
🕒 Copyediting and publishing typically take an additional 3 weeks.
📌 Summary Timeline:
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Initial Screening | 1 week |
| Peer Review & Decision | 4 weeks |
| Copyediting & Publishing | 3 weeks |
| Total Time | ~8 weeks |
