Peer Review Process

The peer review process is an essential part of ensuring the quality and integrity of the research published in The Journal of Social Innovation and Business. Our rigorous review process aims to provide authors with constructive feedback to improve their work and to ensure the publication of high-quality research.

  1. Submission of Manuscripts

Authors submit their manuscripts electronically through the journal’s online submission system. Upon submission, the manuscripts are assigned to the Editor-in-Chief or an Associate Editor who performs an initial assessment.

  1. Initial Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor reviews the manuscript to determine its suitability for the journal in terms of scope, originality, and overall quality. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s standards or fall outside its scope are desk-rejected at this stage.

  1. Assignment to Reviewers

Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment are assigned to at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the relevant field. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, experience, and absence of conflicts of interest.

  1. Review Process

Reviewers are invited to assess the manuscript within a specified time frame (typically 3-4 weeks). They evaluate the manuscript based on the following criteria:

  • Originality and significance of the research
  • Methodological rigor
  • Clarity and coherence of the presentation
  • Appropriateness of the references
  • Contribution to the field
  1. Reviewer Reports

Reviewers provide detailed reports, including comments for the authors and confidential comments for the editors. They make a recommendation regarding the manuscript's publication:

  • Accept
  • Minor revisions
  • Major revisions
  • Reject
  1. Editorial Decision

The Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor considers the reviewers’ recommendations and makes an editorial decision. The possible decisions are:

  • Accept: The manuscript is accepted without any changes.
  • Minor revisions: The manuscript requires minor changes, and the revised version will be reviewed by the editor.
  • Major revisions: The manuscript requires substantial changes, and the revised version will be reviewed by the same or new reviewers.
  • Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in the journal.
  1. Revision Process

If revisions are required, authors are given the opportunity to revise their manuscript based on the reviewers' comments. The revised manuscript must be resubmitted within a specified time frame (typically 4-6 weeks).

  1. Final Decision

The revised manuscript is reviewed by the editor and, if necessary, by the reviewers. The editor makes the final decision on the manuscript's acceptance or rejection. If the manuscript is accepted, it proceeds to the production stage.

  1. Production and Publication

Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading. Authors are given the opportunity to review the proofs before the final publication. Once finalized, the manuscript is published online and made freely accessible to the public.

  1. Confidentiality and Transparency

All submissions and reviews are handled with strict confidentiality. The identities of the reviewers are not disclosed to the authors (single-blind review), unless the journal operates a double-blind review process where both the authors' and reviewers' identities are concealed. The journal maintains transparency in its review process and ensures that all ethical standards are upheld.

An infographic illustrating the peer review process for the Journal of Social Innovation and Business. The design should include a clear step-by-step workflow with icons and arrows connecting each stage. 

1. **Submission of Manuscripts** - An author submitting a research paper via an online platform.
2. **Initial Assessment** - An editor reviewing the manuscript on a computer screen.
3. **Assignment to Reviewers** - A process of selecting two independent experts from a database.
4. **Review Process** - Reviewers analyzing the manuscript and providing detailed feedback.
5. **Reviewer Reports** - A checklist of evaluation criteria such as originality, methodology, clarity, and impact.
6. **Editorial Decision** - The editor making a decision with options: Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, Reject.
7. **Revision Process** - Authors revising their manuscript based on feedback.
8. **Final Decision** - Editor approving the final version for publication.
9. **Production and Publication** - Copyediting, typesetting, and online publication.
10. **Confidentiality and Transparency** - An illustration of anonymized peer review ensuring ethical standards.

The infographic should have a professional, academic style with a clean and modern color scheme, suitable for journal submission guidelines.

 

For Authors:

Ensures Credibility and Academic Integrity

  • The rigorous evaluation process enhances the manuscript’s credibility, accuracy, and scholarly impact.

Constructive Feedback for Improvement

  • Authors receive detailed and expert feedback, enabling them to refine their research and improve clarity before publication.

Enhances Citation Potential and Research Impact

  • A thoroughly reviewed and high-quality article is more likely to be cited, increasing the author’s academic recognition.

Fair and Unbiased Assessment

  • The double-blind review system ensures that evaluation is based purely on research quality, free from bias related to author identity.

For Reviewers:

Engagement with Cutting-Edge Research

  • Reviewers get early access to new developments in their field, keeping them updated on emerging trends.

Professional Recognition and Contribution

  • Reviewing is a valuable academic contribution, and reviewers receive recognition for their expertise and service to the scientific community.

Enhancement of Critical Analysis Skills

  • Engaging in peer review helps reviewers refine their ability to critically analyze methodologies, arguments, and research quality.

Opportunities for Collaboration

  • Reviewing can open doors for academic networking and collaboration with researchers in similar fields.

For the Editorial and Publishing Team:

Maintains High Journal Standards

  • The rigorous review process helps the journal maintain a reputation for publishing high-quality, credible, and innovative research.

Ensures Ethical Research Practices

  • By implementing strict peer review procedures, the journal upholds ethical publishing practices, reducing the risk of plagiarism or flawed research.

Attracts High-Quality Submissions

  • Authors prefer submitting to journals with a transparent and reputable review process, leading to increased submission quality and global impact.

Strengthens the Journal’s Indexing and Reputation

  • High-quality peer-reviewed articles improve the journal’s chances of being indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, DOAJ, and other major databases.

Commitment to Transparency and Integrity

This journal is committed to maintaining a fair, rigorous, and ethical peer review system. The process is designed to foster academic excellence, integrity, and innovation, benefiting authors, reviewers, and the wider research community.