1. Submission of paper

The corresponding or submitting author submits the paper to the journal using the journal’s online submission system.

2. Editorial Office assessment

The Managing Editor/Editorial Office checks that the paper adheres to the requirements described in the journal’s Author Guidelines. Plagiarism is also checked at this point. this point.

3. Appraisal by the Editor-in-Chief (EIC)

The EIC assesses the paper, considering its scope, originality, and merits. The EIC may reject the paper at this stage.

4. EIC assigns an Associate Editor (AE)

Associate Editors are assigned at this stage and are referred to as the “handling editor.”

5. Invitation to reviewers

The handling editor invites potential reviewers, sending additional invitations as needed until the required number—usually two is secured.

6. Response to invitations

Potential reviewers assess the invitation based on their expertise, conflicts of interest, and availability, then accept or decline. If declining, they may suggest alternative reviewers.

7. The review is conducted

The reviewer dedicates time to read the paper multiple times. The first read forms an initial impression; if major issues are found, they may reject the paper at this stage. Otherwise, they take detailed notes during subsequent readings to prepare a point-by-point review, which is submitted along with their recommendation (revise, accept, or reject).

8. The journal evaluates the reviews

The handling editor considers all the returned reviews before making a decision. If the reviews differ widely, the editor may invite an additional reviewer for another opinion before deciding.

9. The decision is communicated

The editor sends a decision email to the author, including any relevant reviewer comments.

10. Author does and returns revision

The author returns his revision within the stated time, and in addition the response to reviewers comment form is filled.

11. Editor Studies the Revision

The revision is checked against the reviewers comments by the Handling Editor, who then communicates his thoughts to the Editor

12. Next steps

If accepted, the paper is sent to production. If the article is rejected or sent back for either major or minor revision, the handling editor would include constructive comments from reviewers to help the author improve the article. At this point, reviewers would also be sent an email or letter letting them know the outcome of their review. If the paper was sent back for revision, the reviewers should expect to receive a new version, unless they have opted out of further participation. However, where only minor changes were requested, this follow-up review might be done by the handling editor.