1. Receipt and registration
The manuscript and accompanying information are received and registered for initial examination. Completeness of files and author information is also checked at this stage.
Peer Review
Peer Review Process
A transparent framework for the scholarly assessment of manuscripts from receipt to final decision.
Implementation status: This page sets out the journal’s policy framework. Final details of the review model, number of reviewers and anonymization arrangements will be confirmed before formal publication begins.
Purpose of peer review
The purpose of scholarly peer review is to help evaluate the quality, validity, originality and significance of the research and to provide specialist feedback for improving the manuscript. Review should not be limited to language editing; it should focus on scientific argument, method, evidence, analysis and the contribution of the research.
Review stages
2. Initial screening
Subject suitability, structure, compliance with author guidelines, apparent originality and obvious research-ethics issues are examined.
3. Reviewer selection
For eligible manuscripts, one or more reviewers with relevant expertise are selected. Potential conflicts of interest must be considered before a reviewer accepts the assignment.
4. Specialist evaluation
Reviewers provide specialist reports on scholarly quality, methodology, argument, evidence, sources and the contribution of the article.
5. Revision and re-assessment
Where necessary, the author submits a revised version and a clear response to the reviewers’ points. The manuscript may be sent for further review.
6. Final decision
The decision to accept, request revision or reject is made on the basis of scholarly evaluation and the journal’s policies. A request for revision does not guarantee acceptance.
Main evaluation criteria
- Fit of the topic with the journal’s aims and scope
- Originality and significance of the research problem
- Clarity of the research question or aim
- Strength of the theoretical and methodological framework
- Validity of the data, evidence and method of analysis
- Logical coherence and scholarly structure of the article
- Accuracy and adequacy of sources and citations
- Clarity of the conclusion and its connection to the findings
- Scholarly contribution and added value of the research
Reviewer responsibilities
Reviewers must examine the manuscript confidentially, refrain from personal use of the information it contains, declare any potential conflict of interest, avoid personal or irrelevant remarks, and present their criticism in a documented, clear and constructive manner. Reviewers should also not request unnecessary citations intended to increase personal or journal citation counts.
Confidentiality and anonymization
Manuscripts and review reports are treated as confidential during the review process. The exact type of review and the level of anonymization will be announced on this page once the journal’s operational policy is finalized. Information about reviewers or authors will not be published except within the framework of the journal’s official policy and applicable legal requirements.
Author’s right to revise
When revisions are requested, the author should clearly indicate the changes made and, where there is a scientific disagreement, provide a reasoned response. A difference of opinion between author and reviewer does not prevent a scholarly reply; the final decision rests with the editorial office.
Appeals against decisions
Appeals must be documented, respectful and limited to scholarly issues or identifiable errors in the evaluation process. An appeal does not in itself mean acceptance of the article or an obligation to change the decision, and will be considered within the journal’s official policies.
Important note on review times
The journal refrains from announcing unrealistic timescales or guaranteeing acceptance. The duration of review depends on the subject of the article, the availability of specialist reviewers, the need for revision and the number of evaluation rounds. After formal publication begins and real data become available, reportable time indicators will be published on the Journal Metrics page.