Question or thesis
Is it clear, focused, and genuinely arguable or answerable?
Review process
What happens after you submit.
The process is double-blind when practical, uses one public rubric, and ends with an editor’s decision. The aim is a better paper, not a prestige signal.
From draft to issue
01
Editorial screen
An editor checks fit, originality, consent, and whether the paper is ready for a detailed read.
Within 7 days
02
Double-blind review
Two trained student reviewers read the argument, evidence, context, and clarity against our public rubric.
3–4 weeks
03
Decision letter
Authors receive a decision with comments, questions, and concrete next steps.
By week 6
04
Revision & publication
Accepted authors respond to the comments. Editors copyedit the final work and publish it open access.
1–2 rounds
The shared rubric
The questions reviewers answer.
Reviewers score each area from 1–5 and explain each score. A field- specific guide can add detail, but these six questions stay the same.
Context & contribution
Does the paper understand existing work and explain what it adds?
Method or argument
Is the approach appropriate, transparent, and logically sound?
Evidence & analysis
Do the sources or data support the conclusions being made?
Clarity
Can a careful reader follow the structure, terms, and reasoning?
Integrity
Are limitations, conflicts, consent, and source use handled honestly?
Possible decisions
Reviewers advise. Editors decide.
Revise & resubmit
The idea is promising, but important changes are needed before acceptance.
Accept with changes
The paper is sound; focused revisions and copyediting remain.
Decline
The work is out of scope or has issues that cannot be resolved in a normal review cycle.