Editorial and Peer Review Process

Scientific Reviews – An International Journal

All submitted manuscripts first undergo an initial screening conducted by the Managing Editor to evaluate their suitability for the journal. This initial check ensures that the manuscript aligns with the aims and scope of Scientific Reviews – An International Journal, follows appropriate formatting and submission guidelines, and maintains acceptable similarity levels with previously published literature through plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s standards at this stage may be rejected or returned to authors for correction before further consideration.

Manuscripts that successfully pass the preliminary screening are then assigned to an Academic Editor, typically the Editor-in-Chief or, where appropriate, an Editorial Board Member, Guest Editor, or an external subject expert. Before assignment, editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to ensure transparency and fairness. The Academic Editor evaluates the manuscript for novelty, scientific rigor, methodological validity, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal. Manuscripts deemed unsuitable in quality or scope may be rejected at this stage without entering full peer review. Suitable manuscripts proceed to the external peer review process.

The journal follows a single-blind peer review model in which reviewers are aware of the authors’ identities, while reviewer identities remain confidential. Except for selected editorials issued directly by editors, all manuscripts undergo thorough and independent review. Experts in the relevant research field are invited to review submissions, typically being requested to provide their evaluations within two weeks of accepting the invitation. Reviewers assess scientific soundness, originality, clarity, and significance of the research and provide detailed comments along with an overall recommendation, which may include acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection.

Usually, at least two independent review reports are obtained before further editorial action. These reports are examined by the Academic Editor, who considers both reviewer feedback and their own assessment in forming a recommendation. Manuscripts submitted to special issues are evaluated using the same rigorous standards as regular submissions. Oversight of special issue content remains under the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief to ensure editorial integrity and consistency across all published content.

Following peer review, the Academic Editor makes an editorial recommendation based on the collective evaluations. Manuscripts may be accepted for publication, returned to authors for revision, or rejected. When revisions are requested, authors are expected to address reviewer and editor comments comprehensively. Revised manuscripts may undergo additional evaluation or further rounds of peer review if required before a final decision is reached.

If the Academic Editor handling the manuscript is not the Editor-in-Chief, the final acceptance or rejection decision is subject to confirmation by the Editor-in-Chief to ensure consistency, review adequacy, and publication value. In some cases, provisional acceptance decisions may be reconsidered if additional concerns arise, potentially leading to further revision requests or rejection.

After acceptance, manuscripts enter the production phase, which includes professional language editing, copy editing, formatting, proof preparation, and conversion into final publication formats. Authors are provided with proofs to verify accuracy before final publication.

The journal maintains a transparent and fair appeals and complaints process. Authors who believe that editorial decisions or reviewer evaluations were unfair may submit an appeal to the Editorial Office at editor@crcjournals.org, providing detailed justification and supporting information. Complaints related to editorial conduct or publication ethics are carefully reviewed according to internationally recognized ethical standards, and corrective actions are taken where necessary to maintain publication integrity.