Peer Review Process

  1. Screening. The editorial office checks completeness and screens for text similarity. Manuscripts with unacceptable overlap are returned to the authors (see the Plagiarism Policy).
  2. Editor assignment. The Editor-in-Chief assigns a handling editor with relevant expertise and no conflict of interest.
  3. Initial assessment. The handling editor may decline a manuscript without external review if it falls outside scope, lacks originality, has fundamental methodological flaws, or does not meet the journal's minimum standards. Such decisions are normally made within 7 days.
  4. Reviewer selection. The editor invites at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the subject, are not affiliated with the authors' institutions, have not collaborated with the authors in the last five years, and have no other competing interest. Authors may suggest reviewers (who must have an institutional email address and will be verified) and may request the exclusion of specific individuals; editors are not bound by these suggestions.
  5. Review. Reviewers are asked to report within 14 days on the study's originality, methodological soundness, statistical validity, ethical compliance, clarity, and significance, and to recommend accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject. Comments to the editor are confidential; comments to the authors are passed on in full but may be edited to remove offensive or identifying content.
  6. Decision. The handling editor weighs the reviews and recommends a decision; the Editor-in-Chief approves it. Decisions are based on the content of the reviews, not simply the number of positive or negative recommendations. The editor's decision letter explains the reasons.
  7. Revision. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers. Major revisions are always re-reviewed.
  8. Final decision. The Editor-in-Chief's decision is final, subject to the Complaints and Appeals Policy.

Review timeframes

Stage Target
Technical check 3 working days
Initial editorial assessment 7 days
First decision after review 21 days
Publication after acceptance 21 days

Actual times are reported on the journal's About page and updated annually.

Last updated: 29 September 2026