Review process

A clear process for every paper.

You submit once. An editor checks fit. Each eligible paper needs one written review from a qualified human reviewer before acceptance or publication. With your specific permission, AI may also prepare labeled preliminary feedback.

What you receive

A written review and a decision letter.

We tell you what is working, what needs work, and what to try next.

With your specific permission, editorial feedback may include separate reports from ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. We label them and name the tools used. An editor checks them before sharing. They do not replace the required human review.

Before any AI upload, we tell you what service, model, account or route, and information we plan to use. You can decline AI processing without affecting your eligibility.

We check subject fit, conflicts, confidentiality, and reviewer availability before review begins. If we cannot arrange a suitable human review, we will tell you.

We are still looking for reviewers in some subject areas. See how to review with us.

What we do not promise

Acceptance or a fixed date.

We do not sell publication. Timing depends on the paper and reviewer availability. We share an estimate after the fit check.

From draft to decision

01
Fit check
An editor checks that the paper fits our scope, is original work, and is ready for review.
After submission
02
One written review
One reviewer reads the question, evidence, method, and writing, then sends written comments.
After the fit check
03
Decision letter
An editor considers the review and sends a decision letter with comments and next steps. We aim to give useful feedback when we decline a paper.
After the review
04
Revision and publication
Accepted authors answer the comments. We copyedit the final file and publish it only after the author approves the final version.
If accepted

The shared rubric

The questions reviewers answer.

Reviewers score each area from 1 to 5 and explain the score. These six questions stay the same for every paper.

Fluency is not a scoring criterion. Raise language concerns with the editor instead of reflecting them in the clarity score.

Question or thesis

Is the main question clear and focused?

Context and contribution

Does the paper explain what other people have said?

Method or argument

Is the method or argument clear?

Evidence and analysis

Do the sources or data support the conclusion?

Clarity

Can a careful reader follow the paper?

Integrity

Does the paper explain limits, conflicts, consent, and source use?

Possible decisions

Reviewers advise. Editors decide.

Revise and resubmit

The paper needs important changes before we can accept it.

Accept with changes

The paper is sound. It needs focused revisions and copyediting.

Decline

The paper is out of scope or has issues that this review cannot resolve. We aim to include useful comments.