Peer Review Process
Peer Review Process
The review process takes between six and twelve months. The journal adopts a double-blind peer review system. All manuscripts undergo:
- Initial screening (compliance check with the Author Guidelines).
- Editorial pre-analysis (scope, originality, relevance, and ethical compliance).
- Review by ad hoc reviewers, selected based on expertise and absence of conflicts of interest.
The editorial process begins with manuscript submission, which is acknowledged by the journal system. Manuscripts are initially reviewed by the editorial office to assess compliance with publication guidelines and manuscript preparation requirements set out in the Author Guidelines. When submission issues are identified, manuscripts are returned to the authors for revision, and authors are notified and given an additional opportunity to adjust their manuscripts.
Manuscripts that comply with the guidelines are submitted to editorial screening by the Editorial Committee according to the following criteria: (a) alignment with the journal’s scope; (b) originality, relevance of the topic, and quality of the scientific methodology; (c) compliance with editorial standards; (d) for manuscripts submitted in a language other than Portuguese, clarity and linguistic accuracy.
After this stage, the possible outcomes are: (a) return to the authors for revision when formal requirements have not been met; (b) rejection (desk rejection); or (c) progression to peer review.
Manuscripts that pass editorial screening are sent to ad hoc reviewers with recognized expertise in the relevant field of knowledge. The manuscript abstract is used to invite reviewers. In general, two to three researchers holding a doctoral degree are invited to provide a review. If an invited reviewer identifies any conflict of interest (professional or financial, direct or indirect), the Editorial Committee must be informed.
The first round of review begins with the submission of the full manuscript to reviewers who have accepted the invitation. At least two reviewers evaluate the original version of the manuscript, based on the journal’s evaluation criteria. After a thorough assessment, reviewers recommend acceptance, rejection, or revision.
Reviews consider: originality, clarity of writing, theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, ethical aspects, presentation and interpretation of results, and the quality of conclusions.
In cases of acceptance subject to revision, the requested changes are communicated to the authors. The revised manuscript must be submitted through the online system within the stipulated deadline and will be re-evaluated to determine whether it meets the reviewers’ recommendations. If the revised manuscript is not submitted within the deadline, the submission will be archived.
Authors are notified of the acceptance or rejection of their manuscripts and, in case of rejection, they will receive a summary of the reviewers’ comments.
The final decision rests with the Editorial Committee.
The journal reserves the right to make formal adjustments to accepted manuscripts without altering their content.
The journal maintains desk rejection and post–peer review rejection rates consistent with leading journals in the field.
