Peer Review Policy

The Review Process

Submitted manuscripts are first read by the Chief Editor. Once the manuscript has been assessed for suitability by the editor, it will then be double-blind peer-reviewed by independent, anonymous expert reviewers, typically by two reviewers, but sometimes more if special advice is needed (for example on statistics or a particular technique). The reviewers will make their decision regarding the manuscript based on the following possibilities:

Accept, with or without editorial revisions

Revision to the manuscript before a final decision is reached

Resubmit for another round of review

Reject, and resubmit elsewhere

Decline submission

In the event of conflicting decisions from the reviewers, the editors will make a decision to resent the manuscript to a third reviewer or the manuscript will be returned to the original reviewers for further advice, particularly in cases where there is disagreement among the reviewers. The editors will try to evaluate the strength of the arguments raised by each reviewer and will consider other information not available to the reviewers. Foremost, the responsibility of the editors is to the readers of the journal and how best to serve the scientific community at large.

The review process will normally take about 4 weeks.

Selection of peer-reviewers

Reviewers are selected based on expertise, reputation, and specific recommendations.