SSR Publisher Peer Review Process

At SSR Publisher, we are dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of academic quality, fairness, and transparency in our peer review process. We follow a double-blind peer review system, which means that both the reviewers and the authors remain anonymous throughout the review process to eliminate bias and maintain objectivity.

1. Initial Manuscript Screening

• Submission Review: Once a manuscript is submitted, it undergoes an initial evaluation by the editorial team to ensure it complies with the journal’s scope, formatting guidelines, and ethical standards.
• Desk Rejection: Manuscripts that do not meet the basic requirements or are outside the scope of the journal may be rejected without peer review. In such cases, authors will be notified promptly.

2. Double-Blind Peer Review

• Anonymity: Both the reviewers and authors remain anonymous throughout the peer review process to prevent bias and ensure impartiality.
• Reviewer Selection: The editor assigns the manuscript to two or more independent experts in the relevant field. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, reputation, and knowledge of the topic.
• Confidentiality: Reviewers must maintain confidentiality regarding the manuscript and must not share or discuss it with anyone outside the editorial team.

3. Reviewer Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers are asked to provide a thorough and objective evaluation of the manuscript, considering the following criteria:

• Originality: Does the manuscript contribute new knowledge to the field?
• Clarity: Is the manuscript well-organized, and does it clearly communicate the research objectives, methodology, and findings?
• Methodology: Are the methods used in the study appropriate and well-executed?
• Data and Results: Are the data presented accurately, and are the conclusions well-supported by the results?
• Relevance: Is the research relevant and significant to the field of study?
• References: Are the references appropriate, up-to-date, and correctly formatted?

Reviewers also provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.

4. Reviewers’ Recommendations

Reviewers will recommend one of the following outcomes for the manuscript:

• Accept: The manuscript can be accepted as is or with minor revisions.
• Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires small adjustments or clarifications, but no major changes are necessary.
• Major Revisions: Substantial changes are needed before the manuscript can be reconsidered. The authors will need to address the reviewers’ comments and resubmit the revised manuscript.
• Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in its current form or does not meet the journal’s standards.

5. Revisions and Resubmission

• Minor Revisions: Authors are given a deadline (typically 1-2 weeks) to address any minor revisions suggested by the reviewers.
• Major Revisions: For major revisions, authors are typically given 4-6 weeks to revise the manuscript. They must submit a revised version of the manuscript along with a point-by-point response addressing each reviewer’s comments.
• Resubmission Review: Revised manuscripts are reviewed again by the original reviewers (or new reviewers if necessary) to ensure that their concerns have been adequately addressed.

6. Editorial Decision

• Final Decision: The editor, based on the reviewers’ recommendations and their own assessment, makes the final decision regarding acceptance, further revisions, or rejection of the manuscript.
• Notification: The corresponding author will be notified of the editorial decision along with the reviewers’ comments and any required revisions.

7. Appeals Process

• Author Appeal: If authors disagree with the decision, they may appeal by providing a detailed explanation and additional justification. The editorial team will review the appeal, and if valid, the manuscript may be re-evaluated.
• Re-Review: In rare cases, an appeal may result in the manuscript being sent for further peer review or reassigned to another editor for reconsideration.

8. Post-Acceptance Process

• Proofreading: Once accepted, the manuscript is sent to the production team for formatting, proofreading, and finalization before publication.
• Publication: Authors will receive galley proofs to review and approve before the manuscript is published online.

9. Reviewer Acknowledgment

• Reviewer Contributions: SSR Publisher recognizes the invaluable contributions of peer reviewers. Reviewers who provide high-quality, timely feedback may receive certificates of appreciation and be invited to participate in future reviews or editorial roles.